IU School of Nursing at IUPUC received SSH Provisional Accreditation

by Belinda Allen
January 13, 2016

The IU School of Nursing team at Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus (IUPUC) received simulation accreditation from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH). The category is ‘provisional’ until two years of data has been collected.

Dr. Beth Sharer is the division head of the IU School of Nursing at IUPUC. Sharer explains, “We are the first nursing school in the state to be accredited.”

According to the SSH Website provisional accreditation allows programs with established structure and processes, but have not yet achieved outcomes to apply for preliminary accreditation. Current SSH Accreditation Standards require demonstrating outcomes. Because of this standard, simulation centers are required to be in operations for a minimum of two years prior to seeking accreditation.

Provisional accreditation granted for two (2) years will allow simulation centers to seek accreditation earlier by focusing on the structure and processes to accredit those aspects of the applying program. Programs seeking SSH Provisional Accreditation will demonstrate compliance with Core Standards and Teaching/Education Standards.

The SSH Board of Review thanked the IU School of Nursing at IUPUC for the invitation to review the simulation program. Additionally, they expressed an appreciation for the effort IUPUC, Dr. Sharer, and School of Nursing team put into developing the program and the application for the accreditation review process.

STATED OUTCOMES FROM THE SSH REGARDING ACCREDITED IN THE AREA OF PROVISIONAL ACCREDITATION
 “We are pleased to inform you that the Board of Review has conferred the final status for IUPUC Simulation Program as follows:
Accreditation in the area of Provisional Accreditation
This Status is effective for two years from December 1, 2015 to December 31, 2017.”

Program Attributes:

  • The program has very qualified and passionate simulation team.
  • The use of the SP (embedded participants) in which the program uses for nursing is also utilized for other departments within the college.
  • There appears to be significant support and commitment to the program from the university and the local community.
  • Faculty orientation to simulation.

Concluding statements from the SSH review committee reflects extremely well on the IU School of Nursing at IUPUC:

  • This program has strong support for continued growth.
  • There are passionate qualified educators with a robust orientation program. 
  • This program is encouraged to develop and apply for full accreditation as they are committed to expanding education using simulation. 
  • It was a pleasure reviewing this program.

The Benefits of the Accreditation

1.   Utilizes the standards for accreditation to establish the structure and processes
to build a solid foundation for the simulation center

2.   Allows for the development of structure and processes to set the stage for achieving outcomes in the future

3.   Provides constructive feedback from simulation experts as part of the review process

For more information about the nursing program at IUPUC, visit iupuc.edu.