PUC’s BSN Program Earns Top Marks after ACEN Accreditation Evaluation

Pacific Union College’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program has again demonstrated its excellence, earning continuing accreditation and 100% compliance from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) through 2033—the maximum length of time between evaluations.

ACEN—which evaluates and accredits nursing education programs based on quality and excellence standards—conducted a thorough, three-day review of PUC’s RN-BSN program earlier this year. The scheduled visit was the culmination of a year-and-a-half of preparation by the department’s faculty and leadership, spearheaded by Sandra Ringer, director of the RN-BSN program, and Kimberly Dunker, former dean of Nursing, Health Science, EMS & Global Health.

Ringer emphasized the role of teamwork in achieving these outstanding results. “Without such an incredible RN-BSN team, we would not have achieved this milestone. It was a combined effort by a fantastic group of educators,” she said.

ACEN accreditation includes an in-depth review of five key standards, including administrative leadership and resources, faculty qualifications, student support services, curriculum quality, and the program’s effectiveness in preparing graduates for the workforce.

In addition to meeting rigorous academic quality standards, the ACEN accreditation highlights how PUC’s RN-BSN program prepares students for career growth. “When students are looking for graduate-level programs, our RN-BSN program prepares them to access and excel in top tier schools like Johns Hopkins University, Loma Linda University, and many more,” Ringer said. “This gives them promotion opportunities, increased salary opportunities, and better preparation for greater responsibility in their positions.”

PUC’s RN-BSN program is tailored to provide working adults, who are already registered nurses, with the opportunity to return to the classroom in a flexible, online setting and launch them with a competitive degree in their field. Upon entry into the program, students with completed prerequisite courses can earn their BSN in just 3-5 quarters.

“The RN-BSN program at PUC continues to grow in both strength and reach,” said Tamara Tirado, dean of Nursing and Emergency Management. “We are seeing more licensed nurses return to complete their BSN with us because of the program’s flexibility, academic rigor, and supportive faculty. I’m excited about the future as we expand our partnerships, strengthen career pathways for working nurses, and prepare graduates for leadership roles across healthcare settings.”

Visit our website for more information on PUC’s RN-BSN program.