Providence College Leadership Celebrates CCNE Nursing Accreditation

“Accreditation affirms the excellence of the nursing education offered at PC and marks a significant achievement for one of our newest academic programs and strategic priorities,” said College President Rev. Kenneth R. Sicard, O.P. ’78, ’82G, according to a report from news.providence.edu.

The nursing program at Providence College has been awarded full accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). This five-year accreditation, which remains effective through December 31, 2031, is retroactive to February 11, 2026—the date the CCNE conducted its campus visit to evaluate the program. For a program that only began admitting students in 2023, this milestone validates the curriculum and resources established during its rapid ascent within the college’s academic structure.

The CCNE standards validate a new academic pillar

The CCNE is a national organization tasked with ensuring the quality and integrity of baccalaureate, graduate, and residency programs in nursing across the United States. To secure this full accreditation, the Providence College program had to demonstrate substantial compliance across four specific pillars of excellence:

Illinois College’s nursing program has earned CCNE accreditation renewal for the maximum 10-year term. 🎓🏥 https://t.co/KjftQQeOaI

— https://x.com/SJRbreaking/status/2081107251817771422

Mission and governance
Institutional commitment and resources
Program quality, including curriculum and teaching-learning practices
Program effectiveness, specifically regarding assessment and achievement of outcomes

This achievement comes as the program matures into one of the most popular majors at the college, currently serving 328 students. The scale of the operation is anchored by the Ben Mondor Center for Nursing and Health Sciences, a 150,000-square-foot, five-story facility that opened in January 2025. The center includes a simulation suite designed to mimic a hospital floor, providing students with a controlled environment to practice clinical skills before entering real-world medical settings.

A strategic shift born from a global pandemic

The expansion into nursing and health sciences was not an accidental growth spurt but a deliberate response to the shifting landscape of American healthcare. In his inaugural address in October 2021, as the global community was still grappling with the immediate impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, Father Sicard identified these disciplines as key strategic goals for the institution. Following that vision, the college received state authorization to implement the nursing program in September 2022 under the leadership of founding dean Kyle McInnis, Sc.D.

The investment in this sector is supported by significant philanthropic backing. The Ben Mondor Center was made possible by a lead gift from Madeline Mondor, given in memory of her late husband, Ben Mondor ’04Hon., an industrialist and owner of the Pawtucket Red Sox.

“Achieving CCNE accreditation is an important milestone for Providence College nursing, and I am deeply grateful to the faculty, staff, and students who made it possible,” said Nancy Meedzan, DNP, R.N., interim dean of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences.

Preparing the next generation of clinicians

The immediate pressure on the program now shifts toward its first major cohort. The college is scheduled to graduate its first 56 nursing students in May 2027. Upon graduation, these students will face the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), the mandatory standard required for all nursing graduates to obtain professional licensure.

Beyond initial licensure, the college has established pathways for advanced practice. Through a partnership with the Mass General Brigham University of Health Professions, graduates of the Providence College program have direct entry into the university’s Master of Science in Nursing Program, a track designed to prepare students for roles as nurse practitioners.

While the program has grown rapidly, its identity remains tied to the college’s foundational values. As a Catholic and Dominican institution, the administration emphasizes that the technical training is inseparable from a mission of service.

“As we celebrate this milestone, we also look ahead with confidence with the lives that will be touched by the nurses educated on our campus for generations to come,” Father Sicard said.