Blinn College Associate Degree Nursing Program named inaugural ACEN Program of Distinction

Blinn is one of just two programs nationwide to earn the new designation recognizing excellence, innovation, and student success in nursing education

October 19, 2026

The Blinn College District’s Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) Program has earned national recognition as one of just two programs selected as inaugural recipients of the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing’s (ACEN) new Program of Distinction designation.

Blinn and Mott Community College in Flint, Mich., were named the first recipients of the distinction, which recognizes ACEN-accredited nursing programs that demonstrate sustained excellence and innovation beyond foundational accreditation requirements.

“This prestigious recognition speaks to the extraordinary commitment of our nursing faculty and staff and the exceptional education they provide our students,” said Jay Anderson, Vice Chancellor for Applied Sciences, Workforce, and Economic Development. “Their dedication to student success, continuous improvement, and collaboration with our healthcare partners has established Blinn as a leader in nursing education. We are incredibly proud to be among the first programs in the nation to receive this distinction.”

The Program of Distinction recognizes nursing programs that consistently exceed ACEN standards and criteria and serve as national models for high-quality nursing education. Recipients demonstrate measurable student success, sustained achievement of program outcomes, and leadership in educational improvement and innovation.

Blinn’s ADN Program has demonstrated consistently strong student outcomes, including a 98.25% first-time pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) in 2025. Over the past three years, the program has achieved a 97.26% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate and a 97.06% job placement rate.

“The Program of Distinction sets a new benchmark for excellence—celebrating nursing programs that push the profession forward through vision, innovation, and proven results,” said Nell Ard, ACEN Chief Accreditation Officer.

Recipients were selected by the ACEN Standards and Criteria Committee, with final determinations made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners. Selection criteria include impactful stakeholder and community partnerships, comprehensive faculty development, robust student support services, curriculum best practices, and innovative strategies designed to improve student learning outcomes.

“This recognition belongs to our entire nursing community — our faculty, staff, students, graduates, clinical partners, and the College leaders who support our mission,” said Dr. Karla Ross, Director of Blinn’s Associate Degree Nursing Program. “Our faculty are continually examining how we can strengthen the learning experience, support our students, and prepare graduates to provide outstanding patient care. To have that commitment recognized at the national level is tremendously meaningful.”

Based at the RELLIS Campus in Bryan, Blinn’s traditional two-year ADN Program prepares students for careers as registered nurses through classroom instruction, hands-on skills training, and clinical experiences. Students learn from highly qualified faculty who work closely with them to develop essential nursing skills in a state-of-the-art simulation laboratory and real-world healthcare settings.

In addition to the traditional ADN pathway, Blinn offers transition options for licensed vocational nurses and certified paramedics seeking to advance their careers by earning an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing. The LVN-Transition Program is offered at both the RELLIS and Brenham campuses, giving working healthcare professionals additional opportunities to pursue registered nursing credentials.

For more information about Blinn’s Associate Degree Nursing Program, including degree plans, admission requirements, and upcoming information sessions, visit www.blinn.edu/adn.

About the Blinn College District

With innovative programs and award-winning co-enrollment partnerships, Blinn’s academic transfer rate ranks No. 1 among Texas community colleges. For more information, visit www.blinn.edu.