The Loewenberg School of Nursing has again received accreditation from the National League of Nursing Accrediting Commission.
The evaluation had no recommendations for improvement. Toni Bargagliotti, the School’s dean, said she is very proud of the evaluation.
“Because there were no recommendations for improvement (from the Commission), we will just continue to do a good job,” Bargagliotti said. “This report confirms what students already know.”
A self-study report, the school catalog and a program evaluator report are the basis for the evaluation. The Commission noted the leadership of the school’s nurse administrator, support for the nursing program and the integrity of the school’s curriculum as areas of strength. The latest accreditation is valid through 2010.
Bargagliotti said the report from evaluators positively cited the school for exemplifying a culture of continuous improvement.
“We have made many changes since the last evaluation in 1994,” Bargagliotti said. “When problems arise, we make changes that day, that time, that minute in order to do as good a job as possible for students.
“The college is made up of a professional group of people who are used to fixing problems for the good of others. We can’t let problems occur. If we do, people can die.”
Marjorie Luttrell, associate dean for academic programs of the nursing school, said the positive report was largely due to a good student body, faculty and a supportive community. Luttrell has been a faculty member since 1988, and said the main change she has seen in the college is stronger curriculum.
“Morale around here has always been high,” Luttrell said. “But we were extra relieved to have these evaluations over with.”
Bargagliotti said having such a successful undergraduate programs in the nursing field is not only good for The U of M, but is also good for Memphis and the state. She said west Tennessee has the highest vacancy rate of nurses, and hopefully this recent accreditation will aid in filling the significant nursing shortage the state is experiencing.
Bargagliotti said this report nicely reflects the excellence of students and faculty.
“I am grateful that we continue to be blessed by outstanding students, faculty and staff, and community support,” Bargagliotti said. “Their work makes this accreditation outcome possible.”
Established in 1980, the Loewenberg School has 304 students and 20 faculty members. The school’s students have consistently had an extremely high rate of passage on licensure exams. The latest rate is 99 percent. Bargagliotti said she expects the pass rate to be 100 percent this year, as they are awaiting the results.
The deadline for applications to the nursing school is Oct. 1. For more information, e-mail Sheila Hall, assistant dean for students.
