BMCC Nursing Program Receives Re-Accreditation From ACEN

The Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC/CUNY) nursing program has been re-accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). The ACEN is recognized as the accrediting body for all types of nursing education by the United States Department of Education (USDE) and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

BMCC received official notification from the ACEN board on October 10. The next evaluation, which includes an extensive site visit, will happen in 2027. The re-accreditation confirms BMCC’s nursing program meets rigorous standards and is on par with other associate degree programs across the United States.

“To graduate from an accredited program means a student has graduated from a program that is nationally recognized,” said BMCC Nursing Program Chairperson Judy Eng. “The BMCC administration, faculty, and staff should be proud of the work that is put into training and preparing our nursing graduates to think critically and make effective clinical decisions.

Some of the benefits of accreditation include providing students with useful information for career and education decision making, enabling students’ eligibility for funding from federal and state agencies and foundations, meeting requirements by many undergraduate and graduate programs. Accreditation is required by many state agencies, including New York, to sit for board exams.

Accreditation also assists employers who are seeking graduates that are competent practitioners. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of jobs available for registered nurses (RNs) is expected to increase 16 percent by 2024, faster than the national average for all other occupations.

Established in 1967, the BMCC nursing program promotes high standards of educational excellence, by offering students support services and faculty mentoring, as they progress through the comprehensive and challenging program.

BMCC’s future RNs not only complete clinical rotations in public and private hospitals throughout New York City, they take part in training on campus in labs that feature the latest in human patient simulators. Nursing students are also eligible for an externship program at several city hospitals where they can gain added clinical experiences and exposure to a hospital environment.

“The BMCC nursing program continues to provide an exceptional education for students starting out on their nursing career path,” said Eng. “Many of our graduates have completed their bachelor’s degrees and have continued on to obtain their Master of Science in Nursing and terminal degree in Nursing with Doctor of Nursing practice or a Ph.D.”

Over the past year, a BMCC graduate won the prestigious Daisy Award at one of New York City’s largest hospitals.  Another graduate was admitted to the prestigious Columbia University Nurse Executive program at Teachers College. Many other graduates have been working on the frontlines at hospitals and other healthcare facilities battling the COVID-19 pandemic.