{"id":69590,"date":"2017-10-19T14:21:04","date_gmt":"2017-10-20T00:21:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=69590"},"modified":"2019-03-13T10:58:44","modified_gmt":"2019-03-13T20:58:44","slug":"kauai-cc-nursing-program-earns-highest-accreditation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2017\/10\/19\/kauai-cc-nursing-program-earns-highest-accreditation\/","title":{"rendered":"Kaua\u02bbi CC<\/abbr> nursing program earns highest accreditation"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
\"nursing
Brittney Barreira, Kauaʻi<\/span> CC<\/abbr> nursing student.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Kauaʻi<\/span> Community College’s nursing program has been awarded accreditation for eight years, the longest period possible, by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).<\/p>\n

“To receive reaffirmation of ACEN<\/abbr> accreditation for the next eight years is a testament to the nursing faculty who are dedicated to their pursuit of providing a quality nursing program for our Kauaʻi<\/span> community,” said Tammie Napoleon<\/strong>, health education chair and nursing faculty.<\/p>\n

“Congratulations on this outstanding achievement!” said Marsal Stoll, chief executive officer of ACEN<\/abbr>. The ACEN<\/abbr> Board of Commissioners also commended Kauaʻi<\/span> CC<\/abbr> nursing faculty for their “commitment to quality nursing education.”<\/p>\n

Nursing faculty Sharon Ehlers<\/strong>, Maria Fabro<\/strong>, Sandra Knighton<\/strong>, Tammie Napoleon<\/strong>, Charlene Ono<\/strong>, Kurt Rutter<\/strong> and Maureen Tabura<\/strong> feel a sense of tremendous accomplishment and validation that the program is doing a good job. Other programs at the University of Hawaiʻi<\/span> are looking to Kauaʻi<\/span> CC<\/abbr> as a model of excellence as they prepare for their accreditation visits.<\/p>\n

The Kauaʻi<\/span> CC<\/abbr> nursing program accepts 24 students annually. Although the majority of the students in the program are from Kauaʻi<\/span>, students from other islands also enroll, according to Tabura, lead coordinator for the accreditation self-study.<\/p>\n

\"Kauai
Kauaʻi<\/span> CC<\/abbr> nursing faculty, front row, Tammie Napoleon, Maureen Tabura, second row, Maria Fabro, Charlene Ono, and third row, Kurt Rutter, Sandra Knighton, Sharon Ehlers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Second year student and nursing club president Brittney Barreira<\/strong> was interviewed by ACEN<\/abbr> as part of the accreditation process. Her passion for nursing started with a rewarding job experience at Hale Kupuna Heritage Home, a skilled nursing and intermediate long term care facility, in ʻ\u014cmaʻo<\/span>, Kauaʻi<\/span>. She will earn her associate of science degree in nursing in May 2018 and plans to to earn her bachelor of science degree in nursing while working on Oʻahu<\/span>. She is currently exploring pediatrics as a focus of her profession, with plans to return to work on Kauaʻi<\/span>.<\/p>\n

“You can go anywhere and work in a hospital, in clinics, in pediatrics and even in informatics,” Barreira said.<\/p>\n

“Our nursing program produces professionals who transition quickly to the professional world once they get their degree,” said Helen Cox<\/strong>, chancellor for Kauaʻi<\/span> CC<\/abbr>, “Our students continue to four-year degrees. Some even earn PhDs<\/abbr>.”<\/p>\n

Accreditation reviewers commended faculty and staff for their depth of quality and expertise. <\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Nursing faculty and staff chose the legendary H\u014dk\u016bleʻa<\/span> as the accreditation theme, noting the canoe made many trips across the globe facing challenges and coming up with solutions. “Hoʻokahi<\/span> ka ʻilau<\/span> like ana,” which means, “Wield the paddles together. Work together.” became the team’s guide throughout the preparation and production of the accreditation self-study.<\/p>\n

Accreditation reviewers commended faculty and staff for their depth of quality and expertise. Assistant professor for natural sciences Terrence Bruns<\/strong>, who teaches general education courses that align with the nursing program, was among those recognized.<\/p>\n

“Our faculty members bring a unique and talented set of skills to their classroom teaching, and they are totally committed to our students. They are responsible for the distinction of this accreditation. I am grateful and honored to support them. They are outstanding educators,” said Cox.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The nursing program has been awarded accreditation for eight years, the longest period possible by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":69635,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[683,64,189,911,71],"class_list":["post-69590","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-academic-news","tag-accreditation","tag-kauai-community-college","tag-nursing","tag-program-recognition","tag-uh-community-colleges","entry","has-media"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t