New Mexico State University President Barbara Couture issued the following memorandum to NMSU employees regarding assistance for Dona Ana County Community College nursing students.
FROM: Barbara Couture, President
SUBJECT: Doña Ana Community College Nursing Program
The purpose of this memorandum is to provide an update for all New Mexico State University (NMSU) employees regarding the recent action by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) to deny continuing accreditation of Doña Ana Community College Nursing Program. In late spring of 2012, NMSU administrators became aware that concerns had emerged from the NLNAC accreditation process; at that time, we were given some reason to believe the nursing program would retain its accreditation. However, since learning in August that this optimism was unfounded, NMSU system administration and faculty have been engaged in efforts to determine the best available options for DACC nursing students and for the DACC nursing program.
We understand the impact the loss of accreditation has for the DACC students and we further understand the potential, long-term impact on the southern New Mexico communities where many of these students hope to serve. I write today to assure you that NMSU and DACC are working collaboratively with each student at every level of the program to address their respective situations in the most appropriate fashion.
Our first priority has been, and will continue to be, the students whose lives and families have been affected by the action of the accrediting body. Toward that end, I have set in place a coordinated, systemwide team—a “Strike Force”—to evaluate all possible alternatives for these students. The membership is drawn from NMSU Las Cruces, NMSU DACC and NMSU Carlsbad and is chaired by Dean Tilahun Adera, College of Health and Social Services (CHSS). To date, the Strike Force has identified or made available the following options for the students:
- Individualized advising sessions for each student currently enrolled in the DACC nursing program;
- Immediate transcript evaluation by NMSU officials for possible admission into the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program;
- Immediate transcript evaluation by NMSU Carlsbad nursing personnel for possible admission into its Associates Degree in Nursing (ADN);
- Financial support for students admitted into NMSU Carlsbad ADN program;
- Scholarships to cover tuition and fees for DACC nursing students who transfer into the NMSU BSN program; the scholarship can be renewed if student maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA; and
- Immediate transcript evaluation by NMSU officials for possible admission into non-nursing NMSU academic programs.
Last week, I sent a letter to the DACC nursing students outlining these options. This letter is posted on our home page at NMSU.edu. In addition, we have also contacted each student individually to discuss various options.
NMSU is working with DACC to support its efforts to meet the needs of the nursing students who choose to remain enrolled in the DACC nursing program. Some of those efforts are:
- Developing a DACC Student Nursing Team comprised of academic and financial aid advisors to assist students with specific questions;
- Offering scholarships to students who remain in the DACC Nursing Program;
- Dialoguing with employers to help meet the students’ career goals;
- Hiring additional master’s-level faculty into the DACC nursing program and recruiting part-time, master’s-level instructors; and
- Working expeditiously on the re-accreditation process.
In addition to the efforts underway on behalf of the students, we are also working in support of the future of the DACC nursing program. To that end, I will establish a Commission on Nursing Accreditation Oversight. This Commission will be charged with documenting lessons learned, recommending best practices and reviewing activities related to DACC’s application for re-accreditation. The goal is to initiate the re-accreditation of the DACC program as expeditiously as possible and to review the nursing programs at each of our community colleges so that a strengthening of nursing programs systemwide is realized.
Speaking on behalf of the all those involved in this critical matter, let me say how much we appreciate your support. We will keep you informed of the progress made on the various student-related issues as well as the re-accreditation efforts.