Associate Professor Cathy Quay, chair of Elon University’s Department of Nursing, has been appointed to a committee that evaluates nursing program applications to a worldwide accreditation body.
The director of Elon University’s Department of Nursing has been appointed to the program review committee of the National League for Nursing Commission on Nursing Education Accreditation, one of three nursing program accrediting bodies in the United States.
Associate Professor Cathy Quay was recruited for the leadership opportunity by the director of the National League for Nursing following the CNEA’s site visit to Elon as part of the university’s own accreditation application.
The program review committee is comprised of 12 nurse educators who review all programs seeking accreditation through CNEA.
“We are incredibly proud of Cathy Quay’s appointment,” said Maha Lund, dean of the School of Health Sciences. “It speaks to Professor Quay’s dedication to excellence in nursing education and the quality of programs within Elon University’s Department of Nursing. She will be a valuable asset in shaping accreditation standards that ensure the highest quality of nursing programs nationwide.”
Today at Elon spoke with Quay about the committee and what this means for Elon.
How does it feel to receive this acknowledgment of your work and expertise?
I feel honored and see it as a great learning opportunity, one that will allow me to see innovative practices in nursing education across the globe. I am grateful to be able to work with leaders in nursing education.
How do the members of the program review committee work together to make decisions?
Each year, the committee holds three, two-day virtual meetings. Two individuals are assigned to each school, but review the program separately so that we try to remain as objective as possible. We then come together at this meeting and present our findings. We determine if there are any differences in opinion, we have some discussions around it and then we proceed forward depending on the result of those discussions.
What does your appointment on the committee say about Elon’s nursing program?
After CNEA was here to do our site visit in September 2024, I attended the National League for Nursing’s annual education summit, at which point the director approached me to be a part of the group. I think it says that they were impressed with our program. We made a positive impression on them during their site visits, so much so that they were interested in having me be part of a committee that’s reviewing new programs from all over the world. Even though I was asked to be on this committee and be a part of this work, it’s important to recognize that every single member of this department contributes to the excellence within our program.
What makes Elon’s nursing program stand out?
Part of what brought me here is the unique curricular design around advancing health equity. There are three succinct courses that scaffold each other and introduce concepts that focus on health care disparities and health inequities . We look at how nurses provide care that’s going to help to address these health disparities we see in various populations. Additionally, we have small classes. It’s very personal, and students get to know their faculty members. We spend a lot of time together.
How do you hope you can share what Elon does with other universities through this committee?
Because our program is so new, being recognized on the national stage and representing Elon on that stage gets our name out there. It’s going to help us tremendously in terms of recognition and with recruiting students by showing that we have this great nursing program. Even more so, from my perspective, I think it’s a way for us to bring some of the best talent in nursing education here to the program.
About Elon University’s Department of Nursing
Elon University offers two tracks to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in the School of Health Sciences: a four-year program and an accelerated program (ABSN).
Elon’s four-year BSN is a direct-entry program. Admission to the program is designed for students who demonstrate a commitment to nursing as their profession. Coursework is closely aligned with clinical experiences in multiple settings, including the opportunity for hands-on learning in diverse and international settings.
The ABSN program is an intensive, 16-month post-baccalaureate program that prepares nurses who are committed to local and global health equity and demonstrate the ability to think broadly, critically and creatively to optimize client-centered care. Applicants to the ABSN program will have an earned bachelor’s degree in any field and will have completed 18-24 hours of prerequisite coursework prior to admission.