College of Nursing Office of Continuing Education Impacts Nursing Education for 17 Years
After countless hours of hard work and dedication to a new mastery comes a new nursing credential, and with those letters comes a new annual educational requirement set by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). The ANCC, a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association (ANA), certifies and recognizes individual nurses and health care organizations in addition those that provide continuing nursing education.
The College of Nursing Office of Continuing Education (CE) has been awarded Accreditation with Distinction, the highest recognition awarded by the ANCC’s Accreditation Program, from Sept. 28, 2015 to March 31, 2020. This is the second time it has been accredited since 1999—the year that Hazel Chappell, MSN, RN, became the nurse administrator.
The accreditation requirements, says Chappell, currently the director of the CE office, “promote nursing excellence and quality patient outcomes in response to a rapidly changing and growing health care environment.”
Chappell now works alongside Emily Woods, continuing education coordinator, to provide nearly 135 CE activities and courses per year in response to needs identified by nurses across Kentucky and the region. The courses offered are reflective of a bi-annual statewide survey and responses from previous attendees. Nurses from across Kentucky, the United States and the globe earn credit hours to update their knowledge and maintain their licenses to practice. The College of Nursing has hosted participants from Japan, Thailand, and more.
“The Office of Continuing Education has gone above and beyond in carrying out our College’s mission to promote health and well-being through nursing education,” says Dr. Janie Heath, dean and Warwick Professor of Nursing. “They strive for excellence and continue to reach a wider audience of health care leaders committed to lifelong learning and growth.”
Chappell earned her BSN from Berea College and her MSN from UK with an emphasis in nursing education. She previously served as a faculty member for the College from 1994-2003 where she taught Undergraduate Leadership/Management in Nursing, Ethics, Adult Medical-Surgical Nursing and Geriatric Nursing. She also served on the Nurse Case Manager/Nursing Administrative Graduate faculty team and supervised the Case Management Graduate Student Practicum.
Her colleague, Woods, is currently working toward her master’s in education policy studies and evaluation. Upon graduation in May 2018, she plans to pursue a career in higher education administration.
For more information on our Office of Continuing Education, click here.
