HSU Nursing Reaches Historic Milestone with CCNE Accreditation

Hardin-Simmons University’s School of Nursing has achieved a major historic milestone, earning accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), a distinction that affirms the program’s commitment to excellence and its alignment with the highest national standards in nursing education.

The CCNE is a nationally recognized accrediting agency that evaluates nursing education programs to ensure they meet rigorous academic and professional benchmarks. For students, graduating from a CCNE-accredited program provides assurance that their education is respected by healthcare providers and employers across the country.

…CCNE is a stamp of excellence…

“This accreditation is truly a momentous accomplishment for Hardin-Simmons University,” said Dr. Sandra Welling, Professor of Nursing. “This is super exciting for the university and for the students. CCNE is a stamp of excellence, and it shows that the university is committed to the highest standards of nursing education. The accreditation demonstrates and ensures students are prepared to be future Christian nurse leaders.”

The accreditation decision, received last week, is retroactive to September 2025. While the overall development of the program has spanned approximately four to five years, the formal accreditation process with CCNE took nearly two years to complete. The evaluation reviewed four standards: the program’s mission, institutional resources, curriculum, and student outcomes.

The CCNE accreditation letter stated, “The CCNE Board determined that the program substantially complied with all four accreditation standards. The Board additionally determined that there are no compliance concerns with respect to key elements.”

For HSU, the achievement marks a historic first. While the university has been involved in nursing education since 1942, this is the first time it has received CCNE accreditation for its own in-house program.

With the accreditation, the School of Nursing meets the highest standards of quality and is well-positioned to prepare students for leadership in the field. The HSU program emphasizes not only clinical skill but also the development of compassionate, ethical professionals grounded in Christian values.

Students have already begun to feel the impact of the program’s growth and recognition.

“On a personal level, accreditation is especially meaningful to me because my long-term goals involve working within state and federal systems to help provide care and advocacy for veterans, elders, and Native American communities,” said Justin Anderson, a veteran and non-traditional student at the nursing school and current president of the Student Nurses Association (SNA). “Many of those opportunities require graduation from an accredited nursing program, so this achievement directly impacts my ability to pursue that path of service. It gives me confidence that the education and experience I am receiving will help prepare me to make a meaningful difference in underserved communities.”

Students frequently express pride in their program, noting a strong sense of belonging and enthusiasm for representing the school. The on-campus location of the nursing program has also become a key factor for prospective students and their families, offering accessibility and a more connected collegiate experience.

“Now that Hardin-Simmons School of Nursing is accredited, I can speak for the entire nursing school by saying what a blessing this is. We can pursue our dream of nursing and graduate from an accredited university. I am so proud of what my experience has been and what it will become in my final year. This university has brought many blessings; however, nursing might be the cherry on top,” said former SNA president and nursing student, Lexi Templin.

Looking ahead, the School of Nursing is exploring opportunities for continued growth, including the addition of new degree options and expanded program offerings.

“This is more than an achievement; it marks the beginning of a new era for Hardin-Simmons University,” Dr. Welling said.

To celebrate the milestone, the School of Nursing plans to host a formal celebration event in the fall with additional details to be announced.