WVU Medicine Center for Nursing Education gains national recognition for its early impact

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The WVU Medicine Center for Nursing Education (CNE) has received initial accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) for its diploma nursing program, a milestone reached less than one year after welcoming its first cohort.

The five-year accreditation recognizes the program’s strong foundation and early success, including its focus on student support. Reviewers highlighted the individualized attention and academic resources available to help students succeed.  

“This accreditation speaks to the strength of this program and the need it is meeting,” Albert L. Wright, Jr., president and CEO of the WVU Health System, said. “We are committed to expanding access to nursing education and removing barriers that often stand in the way of students’ ability to pursue their goals. This program is opening new doors, creating opportunities, and helping build the workforce our communities need.” 

Housed at the WVU Innovation Corporation in Morgantown, the WVU Medicine Center for Nursing Education is a hospital-based nursing school offering a 21-month diploma program. The curriculum combines hands-on clinical experience with one-on-one academic support to help students build skills and transition into practice. 

The program is part of WVU Medicine’s broader effort to strengthen the healthcare workforce by expanding access to education and creating clear pathways into nursing careers.  

Building on its early success in Morgantown, WVU Medicine is working to expand the program’s reach, including plans to extend it into the Eastern Panhandle through a partnership with Berkeley County Schools, creating a new education hub and increasing opportunities for local students. 

“We started this program to offer a quality education and eliminate barriers for nursing students in new and innovative ways,” Tanya Rogers, Ed.D., M.S.N., R.N., C.N.E., assistant vice president of the WVU Medicine Center for Nursing Education, said. “I couldn’t be prouder of the progress we have made in such a short period of time. Our team is deeply committed to every student and invests in their success each day. This milestone validates the outcomes our team and our students are achieving.” 

Students receive a full tuition waiver, free books, and additional support services in exchange for a three-year bedside employment commitment at a WVU Medicine hospital – an approach designed to reduce financial barriers while helping communities build the workforce they need. 

The program has seen early success, including a 100 percent retention rate among enrolled students. It received provisional approval from the West Virginia Board of Registered Nurses in March 2024 and has since expanded.  

Enrollment in Morgantown has been approved to increase from 24 to 48 students per cohort, with classes starting each August and January. 

“The ever-increasing number of applicants and our expansion into the Martinsburg area demonstrate that many people are interested in pursuing careers in nursing, but they need support to do so,” Melanie Heuston, D.N.P., R.N., N.E.A.-B.C., chief nursing executive for the WVU Health System, said. 

“As WVU Medicine continues to grow, it’s imperative that we have enough nurses to care for our patients. The expansion and increase of our class sizes will help to meet our mission to improve the health of all we serve.” 

For more information about the WVU Medicine Center for Nursing Education, visit WVUMedicine.org/CNE.