![Nursing students standing together and smiling.]()
The Armstrong McDonald School of Nursing (AMSON) at College of the Ozarks held its 18th annual White Coat Ceremony on Tuesday, Sept. 2. Sixteen members of the class of 2027 were coated. Rebecca Hamon, associate professor of nursing and program director, began the ceremony by welcoming students, parents, and administrators.
Program also granted approval through 2030 by Missouri State Board of Nursing
The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) has approved the accreditation of the Armstrong McDonald School of Nursing (AMSON) to extend for the next 10 years, until December 31, 2035, and the Missouri State Board of Nursing gave approval until 2030.
CCNE conducts on-site evaluations as a part of the process of determining the continuance of the program. In addition, program administrators submitted comprehensive survey reports. The site visits for both CCNE and MSBN took place in March 2025.
“I have been with our exceptional Nursing Program since 2013, completing two site visits in 2015 and 2025,” said Rebecca Hamon, Nursing Program director, associate professor of nursing, and the Don & Marie Garner Endowed Chair of Nursing for the Armstrong McDonald School of Nursing. “I continue to be in awe of the Lord’s favor with this program and our continued approval status. He deserves all the glory and honor for this recognition, as He is the foundation on which our program is built upon.”
According to CCNE’s Standards for Accreditation of Baccalaureate and Graduate Nursing Programs 2024 version, CCNE assesses based on four standards. These standards include three program quality standards and one program effectiveness standard. The program quality standards are mission and governance, institutional commitment and resources, and curriculum and teaching-learning practices. The program effectiveness standard is assessment and achievement of program outcomes.
“At its meeting, the Board determined that the program substantially complied with all four accreditation standards,” said Lori Escallier, Ph.D., RN, CPNP-PC, FAAN Chair, CCNE Board of Commissioners. “The Board additionally determined that there are no compliance concerns with respect to the key elements.”
“I would like to thank our nursing faculty who strive for excellence while upholding our mission, the College community for its continued support that ensures success, and our clinical agencies that assist our students in meeting program outcomes,” Hamon said. “I would also like to recognize and thank Dr. Janice Williams, AMSON Founding Director from 2005-2025, for her vision and servant leadership that was instrumental to the success of the entire program.”
Founded in 2006, The Armstrong McDonald School of Nursing seeks to provide students with effective training while pursuing their mission statement: “To present a Christ-centered, biblically based, character-driven nursing education program, while preparing qualified individuals for a spiritual role as a professional nurse, providing service to Christ and humankind.”
The class of 2025 celebrated the 287th AMSON graduate. The Nursing Program has achieved outstanding results since its inception, and its graduates are highly valued by employers. Since AMSON’s inception, more than 70 percent of its graduates have decided to stay and serve in this high-need region of southwest Missouri. Over 45 percent of these graduates serve in Stone and Taney counties. Over 28 percent of AMSON graduates hold national certification in their specialties, and almost 20 percent are enrolled (or have completed) graduate education.
“Alumni consistently rate the nursing faculty as the top reason for their success,” Hamon said. “The faculty facilitate learning in the classroom and clinical setting while preparing them for the NCLEX-RN licensure examination and post-graduation responsibilities. Our faculty bring exceptional expertise, dedication, and care to the formation of our students, preparing them not only to become outstanding nurses, but well-rounded individuals ready to serve patients as whole persons, not merely as charts or numbers.”
The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education is located at the following: 1 DuPont Circle NW, Suite 530, Washington, D.C., 20036-1120. For more information, visit www.aacn.nche.edu/ccne-accreditation.
Missouri State Board of Nursing approval
The program also has received approval through 2030 by the Missouri State Board of Nursing. The successful site visit was hosted by College of the Ozarks, and no compliance concerns were reported.
Initial approval status for the Armstrong McDonald School of Nursing was granted by MSBN in 2007, and full approval status was granted in 2010. For more information regarding the Missouri State Board of Nursing, visit http://pr.mo.gov/nursing.asp.