ACEN Accreditation Manual – Policy 21

ACCREDITATION MANUAL  •  SECTION I GENERAL INFORMATION  •  SECTION II POLICIES  •  SECTION III STANDARDS AND CRITERIA  •  GLOSSARY

ACEN Accreditation Manual – Section II Policies

POLICY #21
Complaints Against the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing

The Board of Commissioners Executive Committee of the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) receives complaints made against the ACEN.
When a written, signed, and dated complaint is received, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) will refer the complaint to the Executive Committee for review.

PROCEDURE

TIMELINE
The complaint is presented to the ACEN CEO as a written, signed, and dated statement.
The CEO will review the complaint and may request, as necessary, additional information from the complainant or the ACEN staff. Within 10 business days of the CEO’s receipt of complaint.
The CEO will refer the complaint to the Executive Committee for review. Within 10 business days of the CEO’s receipt of all necessary complaint information/ materials.
If the Executive Committee determines that the complainant raises significant issues, the Executive Committee will direct the CEO to appoint a special committee to investigate the complaint in a timely, fair, and equitable manner. Conflicts of interests will be considered in the appointment of the special committee members. Commissioners shall not participate in any capacity on the special committee. Within 10 business days of the Executive Committee’s receipt of complaint information/materials.
The CEO will appoint a special committee of three persons composed of:

  • One representative from nursing education (nurse educator/clinician);
  • One representative from nursing service (practitioner/clinician); and
  • One public member.
 Within 15 business days of the Executive Committee’s referral.
The special committee meets to consider the complaint. Within 30 business days of appointment to the special committee.
The special committee presents its findings and recommendation to the CEO for consideration. Within seven business days of meeting.
The CEO will present the special committee’s findings/recommendation to the Board of Commissioners. At the next regularly scheduled meeting.
The complainant will be notified of the outcome of the complaint. Within 30 business days of the Board of Commissioners meeting.

Policy #21 History
Revised April 2014
Edited October 2016
Revised July 2020
Edited July 2022

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