October 23, 2024
MOUNT VERNON, Ga. — Brewton-Parker College is proud to announce that the Bachelor of Science in Nursing is now accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. As a specialized national accrediting body for all levels of nursing education, ACEN promotes high standards of nursing practice. This achievement, effective retroactively as of April 2023, affirms BPC’s adherence to national nursing education standards and highlights the College’s commitment to cultivating highly qualified nursing professionals.
Dr. Bryarly, Director of Nursing, stated, “We give God the glory for all that has been accomplished in this program. We have seen His hand in every step of the way, including throughout the accreditation process. Achieving accreditation demonstrates our continuous commitment to providing the highest quality education for our nursing students. It signifies that our program meets rigorous standards and prepares graduates to excel in the healthcare field. We are excited to see what the future holds for this program.”
The effort to establish a nursing program began in 2019 with a vision addressing the significant shortage of nurses in rural South Georgia. As a result, in May of 2021, after an extensive application process, the College obtained initial approval from the Georgia Board of Nursing (GBON) to offer a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. This positions BPC as the only approved Christian college south of Macon offering a BSN program.
After receiving GBON approval, the College submitted a program prospectus to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) in June 2021. SACSCOC, which accredits postsecondary institutions in the southeast region, granted its approval in January 2022. With both GBON and SACSCOC approvals, the nursing program welcomed its first cohort of students for junior-level nursing courses in the Fall of 2022.
The first cohort of nursing students celebrated their graduation in April of 2024. Every graduate successfully passed the rigorous National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), a test designed to evaluate the competency of nursing candidates. This accomplishment highlights the effectiveness of the curriculum and faculty and demonstrates the College’s commitment to producing competent nursing professionals ready to serve the community. Additionally, BPC will begin constructing a state-of-the-art nursing facility in 2025, further enhancing the development and growth of the program.
“This accreditation is a tremendous moment for Brewton-Parker College and our nursing program,” said Dr. Steve Echols, President of BPC. “It reflects years of dedication and hard work from Dr. Bryarly and our nursing team, along with the generous financial support from individuals and various grants. The need for nurses is critical, and we are excited about providing students with a Biblically-centered worldview education of the very highest quality that will allow them to serve their communities as skilled healthcare professionals and ambassadors for Christ.”
For more information, please visit bpc.edu/nursing.
