The Department of Nursing at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania will host two representatives from the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) as part of the accreditation renewal process for the bachelor of science nursing program September 30 through October 2, 2008. Community members are invited to a public meeting about the accreditation on Tuesday, September 30 at 3:30 p.m. in the Reception Center of ESU's University Center. During this meeting, representatives from NLNAC and ESU's nursing program will answer questions and respond to comments.

NLNAC accreditation is a voluntary, rigorous peer review process designed to enhance quality improvement in nursing education. The ESU nursing program has been participating in the NLNAC accreditation process since 1982 and was last reviewed in 2000 when the university received a full eight-year accreditation renewal.

In preparation for the program's 2008 accreditation renewal, faculty and administrators have completed self study materials and prepared a comprehensive written report, a process that took nearly two years to complete. "This accreditation process provides us an opportunity to review our evaluation process, compare how ESU's program has changed since the previous accreditation, identify our strengths, and alsomake plans to continue the department's pattern of excellence," said Dr. Suzanne Fischer Prestoy, associate professor of nursing and department chair.

Dr. Lois L. Salmeron, associate dean and professor of nursing at the Kramer School of Nursing at Oklahoma City University and Dr. Leisa R. Easom, chair of the school of nursing and Charles Mix Eminent Scholar at Georgia Southwestern State University have been identified as the site team scheduled to review ESU's program. During their visit, Salmeron and Easom will tour ESU's campus, meet with university President Dr. Robert Dillman and other university administrators, students, and faculty members, observe ESU nursing students in class and performing field experience at Pocono Medical Center, and conduct a document review.

For additional information about the accreditation process or ESU's nursing program, contact Dr. Prestoy at 570-422-3563. Written questions or comments for the public forum should be addressed to Dr. Sharon Tanner, executive director of the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, 61 Broadway, 33rd floor, New York, NY 10006 or by e-mail at stanner@nlnac.org.