Accelerated Nursing Program Earns Accreditation with 100% NCLEX Pass Rate

Johnson & Wales University proudly announces that its Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program has earned national accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) — a recognition that affirms the program’s quality, rigor and real-world readiness. This news comes on the heels of another major milestone: the program’s inaugural cohort at JWU’s Providence Campus achieved a 100% first-time pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

"Achieving national accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nurse Education demonstrates JWU and the ABSN Program’s dedication and commitment to providing the high-quality, evidence-based and experiential education needed to prepare our future nursing professionals,” said David Hudson, D.N.P., RN, chief nursing officer and director of the Nursing Program at JWU Charlotte.

JWU’s ABSN program is designed for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field and are ready to pursue a new path as registered nurses. The full-time, 16-month program received approval in October 2022 from the Rhode Island Board of Nursing Registration & Nursing Education and in May 2023 from the North Carolina Board of Nursing. The first cohort of students began on the Providence Campus in August 2023; the Charlotte Campus welcomed its first cohort in May 2024. CCNE accreditation covers the entire program at both locations.

“CCNE accreditation tells our healthcare employers and healthcare clients that nurses receiving their education at JWU have an extensive nursing education that is quality driven, well balanced and built on strong evidenced based curriculum that will prepare professional nurses who, in turn, will add value to their healthcare systems,” continued Hudson.

“Our CCNE accreditation confirms what our students, faculty and clinical partners already know — that JWU is delivering a rigorous, hands-on nursing education that prepares graduates to lead with skill, compassion and confidence,” added Kiley Medeiros, Ph.D., RN, director of the nursing program at JWU Providence. “We’re incredibly proud that our first cohort achieved a first-time 100% NCLEX pass rate, which speaks volumes about their commitment and the strength of our faculty.”

Kelsey Quinlan (left) with another nursing student and an infant mannequin in the nursing simulation lab.

For Kelsey Quinlan ’24, being part of JWU’s inaugural ABSN class wasn’t just an opportunity — it was the fulfillment of a lifelong goal. “I’ve wanted to be a nurse since I was six years old,” said Kelsey, who earned her first degree in biology from Bridgewater State University. “It’s an absolute honor to be part of the inaugural cohort because I know the program is going to go places. I have to thank the professors and faculty in the nursing program for putting me where I am today and letting me successfully achieve my dream that I've had since I was a little girl.”

Kelsey credits her professors with seeing her as a whole person and offering support that extended far beyond the classroom. “Professor MaryBeth Vieira took the time to get to know me as a person and what works for me,” she said. “She came up with a study plan for me and checked in with me, and I passed that class with my highest grade to date. So, things like that mean a lot, and it shows you exactly the profession we’re going into. That’s what a nurse should be. That’s what a nurse does. And she really exemplified that.”

Kelsey Quinlan (left) with Kiley Medeiros (right), director of the nursing program at JWU Providence, at the Nursing Pining Ceremony.

That support didn’t stop at graduation. Thanks to the relationships she built through her clinical rotations, Kelsey stayed in touch with her instructor at The Miriam Hospital — and when it was time to start applying for jobs, she reached out for help crafting her résumé. That connection helped lead to her current role as a registered nurse on a post-surgical medical-surgical unit at The Miriam Hospital in Providence, where she cares for patients recovering from gastrointestinal and colorectal surgery.

“I’ve heard nurses say that sometimes programs don’t always prepare you to be a nurse — they prepare you to pass the NCLEX,” Kelsey said. “Whereas I felt like JWU’s program, while it definitely prepared me to pass the NCLEX, it gave me a lot of opportunities to prepare to be the best nurse I could be, no matter what specialty I go into.”

She has big plans for her future in health care. “I’d love to work in pediatric oncology one day. I also fell in love with intensive care,” she said. “But right now, I’m building the foundation — and JWU gave me a really strong one.”

With CCNE accreditation secured, JWU is poised to continue preparing second-degree students to meet the growing demand for qualified, compassionate nurses across the country. Following the success of the inaugural Providence cohort, the university looks forward to celebrating its first graduates from the Charlotte Campus later this fall and to supporting even more students as they build strong foundations for nursing careers.

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