Continuing Nursing Education Approval Program

Background
The Indiana State Nurses Association has long been concerned about and involved in continuing education. Indiana was one of the first states in the nation to develop and implement a process to assure that continuing nursing education activities meet high educational standards.

A statewide plan for continuing nursing education in Indiana was developed in 1972-73 through a grant from the US Public Health Service and implemented during 1973-76 through a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. The Indiana Statewide Program for Continuing Education in Nursing (ISPCEN) functioned cooperatively with the Indiana State Nurses Association.

Effective January 1, 1977, ISPCEN officially became a part of the Indiana State Nurses Association. The ISNA continuing nursing education approval program is driven by the requirements stipulated by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation for organizations accredited to approve continuing nursing education. ISNA has been accredited as an approver of continuing nursing education since 1977.

In September 2012, ISNA members at the annual meeting, voted to transfer the continuing education process to the Ohio Nurses Association, effective January 1, 2013. 

ISNA has designated the Ohio Nurses Association as the preferred approver of Indiana continuing nursing education activities.