Northwest Technical College has announced that its Associate Degree Nursing and Practical Nursing programs will remain accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) for the next eight years. The ACEN Board of Commissioners’ decision granted the status of Continuing Accreditation to both programs, highlighting the college’s commitment to maintaining high standards in nursing education.
“This achievement reflects the dedication of our faculty, staff and students, whose unwavering commitment to excellence has earned our nursing programs the highest recognition in academic nursing education,” said Nicholle Bieberdorf, NTC’s dean of academic affairs and programs. “The reaffirmation of our accreditation is a recognition of a program built on quality, integrity and the dedication to continuous improvement, academic rigor and the success of each nursing student who comes through our doors.”
The ACEN commended NTC—Bemidji’s Technical College for the exceptional breadth and quality of support services available to its nursing students. These services include academic advising, career counseling and a variety of resources designed to ensure student success both during their studies and in their future nursing careers.
The ACEN is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education as a national accrediting body. It is one of the largest specialized accrediting agencies for nursing programs in the U.S., its territories and internationally. The commission’s mission is to improve the quality of nursing education and transition-to-practice programs, ensuring that nursing graduates are prepared for the demands of the healthcare profession.
NTC’s nursing programs initially received accreditation in 2019, confirming that they met the ACEN’s rigorous standards for nursing education. Over the past year, the programs wrote a self-study report providing evidence demonstrating that the programs continued to meet the ACEN standards. In March 2024, NTC hosted three site visitors and a member of the Minnesota Board of Nursing staff as they reviewed, interviewed and affirmed the evidence over a three-day period. The visiting team provided their recommendation to the Board of Commissioners, completing the process with the Board’s decision in September.
The next program evaluation visit is scheduled for spring 2032.
NTC Nursing Program Information
NTC’s programs are flexible, with courses delivered online and asynchronously, allowing students to complete coursework at their convenience. Students must also attend campus for nursing skills courses and clinical experiences. However, these on-campus days are scheduled together, typically once or twice per month, to accommodate students’ schedules.
Among recent graduates, 100% of those from the associate’s degree and licensed practical nurse (LPN) step-in nursing programs who were seeking employment as nurses were hired in their field within a year of graduation.
Practical Nursing
This 41-credit diploma is a one-year program for students who are nursing assistants or who have completed a nursing assistant course and wish to become a licensed practical nurse. Graduates wanting to apply to become a registered nurse can apply to NTC’s associate’s degree LPN step-in program.
Associate’s Degree in Nursing
NTC’s 64-credit associate of science degree in nursing is for students who have completed a nursing assistant course or are certified nursing assistants and desire to become a registered nurse. The traditional program can be completed in two years, while the LPN step-in is completed in three semesters. Graduates from both pathways are eligible to continue directly into Bemidji State University’s bachelor of science in nursing program.