La Plata, Md. — The College of Southern Maryland’s registered nursing and licensed practical nursing programs earned reaccreditation in October 2025 from the Maryland Board of Nursing and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, capping a year-long review that confirmed adherence to state standards for faculty credentials, curriculum rigor and clinical training. The process, which included a three-day site visit in late October, evaluated program compliance, student outcomes and partnerships with local health providers, ensuring graduates meet demands in Southern Maryland’s expanding medical sector.
Nursing Program Chair Morag Dahlstrom highlighted the team’s dedication during the evaluation. “This reaccreditation is a huge accomplishment and takes immense commitment from all of the CSM nursing faculty and staff who work day in and day out to prepare our students to be successful health care professionals,” Dahlstrom said.
Reviewers from the boards toured facilities at CSM’s La Plata campus, the primary site for nursing instruction, and consulted with students, instructors and administrators. They also examined a detailed self-report from the college, covering enrollment trends, pass rates on licensure exams and strategies for continuous improvement. The Maryland Board of Nursing, which oversees program approvals under state code, grants full reaccreditation for up to eight years when standards are met, as occurred here without stipulations.
School of Health Sciences Dean Caroline Combs emphasized the credential’s value for enrollees and employers. “Accreditation matters. It’s important for students to know they are making a sound investment in their future, and for future employers to know that CSM students have successfully completed a rigorous education and are ready for the demands of the healthcare industry,” Combs said.
CSM President Dr. Yolanda Wilson tied the achievement to the institution’s core goals. “At CSM, our mission is to enhance lives and strengthen our region through accessible, excellent instruction,” Wilson said. “I’m proud of our nursing faculty and staff for shaping students who will meet vital community needs and elevate the standard of care across Southern Maryland.”
The programs address a persistent nursing gap in the region. Maryland hospitals reported registered nurse and nurse practitioner vacancy rates above 12 percent in 2024, with Southern Maryland facilities facing nearly 31 percent, more than double the state figure, according to the Maryland Hospital Association. A 2022 association analysis projected a statewide deficit of 5,000 full-time registered nurses and 4,000 licensed practical nurses by 2035, driven by retirements, burnout and rising patient volumes from an aging population.
In Southern Maryland’s tri-county area — Charles, St. Mary’s and Calvert — the strain hits closer to home. Vacancy rates for registered nurses reached 25.4 percent statewide in 2021, but supply in the Southern region covered just 76 percent of demand, with licensed practical nurse adequacy at 52 percent. Projections show that dropping to 61 percent for registered nurses and 30 percent for licensed practical nurses by 2035, exacerbating pressures at anchors like University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center in La Plata and MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital in Leonardtown.
Dana Cecil, vice president of nursing services and chief nursing officer at University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center, praised the renewal as a boost to joint efforts. “This reaccreditation not only benefits our hospital but also strengthens the college and supports the overall health and well-being of our Southern Maryland community,” Cecil said. “We are proud to continue and expand this mutually beneficial relationship, which enhances both education and patient care in our region.” The partnership places CSM students in clinical rotations at the center, where graduates fill roles, and hospital staff teach as adjuncts.
CSM’s nursing offerings, housed under the School of Health Sciences, include a 70-credit associate degree for registered nurses and a 45-credit certificate for licensed practical nurses. Both emphasize patient-centered care, clinical judgment and interprofessional collaboration through classroom lectures, simulations and supervised placements in hospitals, clinics and long-term care sites across the counties. Admission requires a high school diploma or equivalent, a minimum 2.0 grade-point average, placement into college-level English and math, and a score of at least 59 percent on the ATI TEAS exam. Preference goes to residents of the service area, with cohorts starting each fall and limited spots filled competitively.
Graduates consistently outperform benchmarks. The practical nursing program’s first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate hit 100 percent for the class of 2023, while the associate degree program’s registered nurse exam rate stood at 92.22 percent in fiscal year 2024 and 93.18 percent overall in fiscal year 2025. These figures exceed the 80 percent threshold set by the Maryland Board of Nursing for continued approval. Completion rates hover above 85 percent, with most enrollees securing jobs within six months at starting salaries around $65,000 for registered nurses and $55,000 for licensed practical nurses in the region, per federal labor data.
The board’s verification letter reinforced the programs’ strengths. “The Board encourages your continued effort to uphold the standards of nursing education in Maryland, and it commends your faculty and leadership team for their contributions to the success of your students and the profession,” it stated.
This reaccreditation aligns with broader state initiatives, including the Maryland Nursing Workforce Center’s push for faculty incentives and expanded clinical sites to counter a 20 percent student attrition rate statewide. In Southern Maryland, where one in four nurses nears retirement age, CSM’s focus on simulation labs and mentorship helps retain talent, reducing the 37.7 percent licensed practical nurse vacancy seen in 2021. As hospitals like CalvertHealth Medical Center in Prince Frederick report sustained 16.8 percent regional nurse gaps, the programs’ renewal ensures a steady flow of prepared professionals, bolstering emergency response and chronic care in communities from Nanjemoy to Solomons.
Prospective students can explore details at the program site.