BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) -- Aspiring nurses in Bakersfield College's nursing program can now earn accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, the college announced Tuesday. The prestigious recognition from the ACEN will prepare nursing students with high-quality nursing education and will prepare students to meet the evolving demands of the healthcare industry. 220 athletes to compete at Bakersfield College’s NIRA collegiate Rodeo at Kern County Fairgrounds Previously, students could only receive an Associate Degree in nursing at the college. Graduating from an ACEN accredited program can give students a leg-up in the demanding job market, grater flexibility for licensure and transfer credits to other institutions, access to federal financial aid, and the the confidence that their education meets national standards, college officials said. The national recognition comes as the healthcare industry faces an urgent need for a skilled workforce.