WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Jan. 17, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- March of Dimes is pleased to announce it achieved accreditation with distinction from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

"Nurses are the heart of the March of Dimes," said Janis Biermann, senior vice president for Education and Health Promotion. "They support our efforts in so many ways: as health care providers, educators, volunteers and fundraisers.  Our comprehensive resources are designed to support their work because we recognize that nurses play a critical role in helping give babies a healthy start in life. Through our high-quality continuing nursing education (CNE) activities, our goal is to equip nurses with the resources they need to provide the highest quality care to their patients."

March of Dimes, the leading non-profit organization for maternal and infant health, celebrates its 75^th anniversary in 2013 and its ongoing work to help all babies get a healthy start in life.  About 4 million babies are born in the United States each year, and the March of Dimes helps each and every one through research, education, vaccines, and breakthroughs. 

For more than 30 years, the March of Dimes has offered continuing education to perinatal nurses. Developed by top experts in the field, the print and online materials can be used for individual or group study.

ANCC Accreditation distinguishes organizations that demonstrate quality and excellence in the curriculum design and delivery of continuing nursing education (CNE). Accredited organizations, such as the March of Dimes meet comprehensive, evidenced-based criteria to ensure CNE activities are effectively planned, implemented and evaluated. As of September 2012, less than 10 percent of all ANCC-accredited organizations achieved the honor of receiving accreditation with distinction. Perinatal and nurses now gain access to the highest caliber of education to meet certification or licensure requirements, which in turn contributes to improved health care outcomes.

ANCC Accreditation is a voluntary, peer review process intended to strengthen and sustain the quality and integrity of continuing nursing education, making it worthy of public confidence. Accrediting organizations, like ANCC, assess providers of continuing nursing education to ensure they meet rigorous global standards established by ANCC.

The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health.  With chapters nationwide and its premier event, March for Babies^®, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association (ANA), provides individuals and organizations throughout the nursing profession with the resources they need to achieve practice excellence. ANCC's internationally renowned credentialing programs certify nurses in specialty practice areas; recognize healthcare organizations for promoting safe, positive work environments; and accredit providers and approvers of continuing nursing education. In addition, ANCC provides leading-edge information and education services and products to s support its core credentialing programs. www.nursecredentialing.org

SOURCE March of Dimes