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title: "POLICY #21\nCOMPLAINTS AGAINST THE ACCREDITATION COMMISSION FOR EDUCATION IN NURSING"
canonical: "https://resources.acenursing.org/space/AP/1828749343/POLICY%20%2321%0ACOMPLAINTS%20AGAINST%20THE%20ACCREDITATION%20COMMISSION%20FOR%20EDUCATION%20IN%20NURSING"
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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 will refer the complaint to the Executive Committee of the Board of Commissioners for review.

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| <span style="color: #ffffff">**ACEN Complaint Process**</span> |
| **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:<br>- One representative from nursing education (nurse educator/clinician).
- One representative from nursing service (practitioner/clinician).
- 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 7 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. |

 

<u>**Policy #21 History**</u>

Revised April 2014

Edited October 2016

Revised July 2020

Edited July 2022

Edited June 2023