FYI: http://www.portclintonnewsherald.com...-accreditation

The nursing program at Terra Community College has been approved by the Ohio Board of Nursing since July 2008, but Dean Susan Kajfasz and her staff want to raise the bar.

About 18 months ago, they began preparing paperwork to apply for certification through the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission. Last month, Terra received word that its nursing program was granted candidate status, the first step in the accreditation.

"It's an honor not achieved by all schools," Kajfasz said. "We want to say we're a quality school, and this is an important step toward being recognized with a prestigious national accreditation."

All nursing programs that lead to students being licensed must meet minimum standards set by the state board.

"We want to demonstrate that we are following stricter standards," Kajfasz said.

Accreditation opens more doors for Terra nursing students to further their education.

Terra has two years to complete the process of becoming fully accredited.