VA Medical Center Nursing Program receives Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Accreditation

A program for new nurses at the Martinsburg VA Medical Center has received accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), becoming one of only 25 VA Medical Centers to receive the prestigious designation.

The Registered Nurse Transition-to-Practice program provides mentorship and support for nurses that have less than one year’s experience. Participants meet once a month for approximately a year and work on various competencies to improve critical thinking skills and improve confidence with patients.

“The program mission is to bridge nursing academic education and professional nursing practice in an effort to support new graduate nurses in their transition from entry level, advanced beginner nurse, to a competent professional nurse,” said Program Coordinator, Lynne Livermore.

“Research has proven that such programs are beneficial in creating a competent, confident nursing workforce and improves new nurse retention,” added Livermore.

Of 171 VA Medical Centers across the country, only 25 centers, which now includes the Martinsburg VA Medical Center, has CCNE accreditation for any of its programs.

CCNE is an independent, educational accrediting agency that utilizes nationally recognized standards to evaluate and sanction nursing programs from entry-level nurse residency programs up to and including doctoral nursing programs. 

“The Registered Nurse Transition to Practice program is mandated by the Veterans Health Administration but CCNE accreditation is voluntary, placing the Martinsburg VA Medical Center in an elite category,” stated Livermore.

Lona Lozinski, Public Affairs Specialist

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