MALTA – The Kishwaukee College Nursing Program has been accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), the official national accrediting agency for nursing programs. Kish has received accreditation through Fall 2022. Bette Chilton, Dean of Health and Education at Kish, stated, “The accreditation process was rigorous but well worth the effort to receive affirmation of our hard work in having a solid, quality program. I am extremely proud of our faculty and students.”

The accreditation process required nearly two years of data gathering, utilizing multiple information sources. The ACEN Evaluation team were at Kish College in September 2017 for a required site visit as part of the accreditation process. While at Kish, the peer evaluators met with Nursing faculty, other College staff and administrators, current students and alumni and observed classes, labs, and clinical sites.

Chilton said, “The new Nurse Practice Act for Illinois states that all nursing programs in Illinois must be accredited by 2022 to remain a viable program. Now that we are accredited, articulation with other nursing programs and Colleges for academic progression will be seamless. This also assists with job placement in hospitals, particularly out of state.”

For more information on the Nursing Program at Kishwaukee College, contact Sean Kesselring, Lead Academic Advisor, at skesselring@kish.edu or at (815) 825-9822.