CLINTON, Md. — MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center and MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital have received accreditation for their employee-based nurse residency programs from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), as announced in May 2025. The accreditation, granted by a nationally recognized authority on nursing education quality, affirms both hospitals’ commitment to excellence in preparing new nurses for clinical practice.
The CCNE accreditation process evaluated the nurse residency programs at MedStar Southern Maryland and MedStar St. Mary’s against four key standards: program delivery, institutional commitment and resources, curriculum, and assessment of program outcomes. MedStar Southern Maryland submitted its initial application in February 2023, followed by MedStar St. Mary’s in May 2023. Each hospital produced a 1,000-page self-study document detailing compliance with CCNE criteria. On-site surveys by CCNE representatives occurred in November 2024, culminating in the accreditation awards.
Laura Ogle, DNP, CENP, CNE, CEN, director of Nursing Professional Development at MedStar Southern Maryland, highlighted the significance of the achievement. “This achievement reinforces MedStar Southern Maryland nursing program’s commitment to integrity, professionalism, the highest standards of nursing education, and ultimately, better care for the community. The CCNE accreditation demonstrates the exceptional quality of our nursing residency program,” she said.
At MedStar St. Mary’s, the program earned the maximum five-year accreditation, reflecting its robust support for new nurses. “Accreditation of MedStar St. Mary’s nurse residency program validates our commitment to new-to-practice nurses and means we are committed to empowering new nurses with the knowledge, confidence, and support they need to thrive,” said Jeanne Hill, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, CNE, RNC-OB, C-EFM, director of Nursing Professional Development at MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital. “Being awarded the maximum 5-year accreditation is proof that our program consistently meets the highest standards of excellence.”
The accredited programs focus on equipping new nurses for clinical practice through comprehensive training and resources. Key components include access to advanced technology, dedicated learning spaces, and funding to sustain the programs. The curriculum emphasizes clinical skills, leadership, professional growth, and scholarly research opportunities. Both hospitals maintain strong academic partnerships within their communities to enhance training.
Continuous data collection and analysis ensure the programs meet their objectives, with outcomes tracked to confirm new nurses are prepared for patient care. The accreditation underscores the hospitals’ ability to transition new nurses into practice with confidence and competence, aligning with CCNE’s rigorous standards for quality and integrity.
MedStar Southern Maryland, located in Clinton, and MedStar St. Mary’s, in Leonardtown, serve as critical healthcare providers in their respective counties. Their nurse residency programs support the hospitals’ mission to deliver high-quality patient care by fostering professional development among new nurses. The accreditation process, detailed at [www.ccneaccreditation.org][https://www.ccneaccreditation.org], involved a multi-year effort to document and demonstrate compliance with national standards.
The CCNE, an autonomous accrediting agency, evaluates nursing education programs to ensure they prepare graduates for safe and effective practice. Accreditation signals to employers, educators, and the public that a program meets or exceeds expectations for nursing education. For MedStar’s hospitals, this recognition enhances their reputation as leaders in nursing training and patient care delivery.
The accreditation awards mark a milestone for both hospitals, reinforcing their dedication to nursing excellence and community health. As they continue to train new nurses, MedStar Southern Maryland and MedStar St. Mary’s aim to maintain the high standards that earned them this distinction.
