Accredited or not Accredited ?

♑ Capricorn ♑ · Jun 16, 2012

I read about the importance of a nursing school being accredited.
Ok...does this mean it must be accredited by the NLN?
If I go to a community college that is accredited but the program is not accredited
by NLN, am I up the creek when it comes to job hunting?
How important IS this accreditation?

Yep, its important. I wouldn't want to attend one that wasn't. Before I even applied to my school, I made sure to check it out thoroughly. I can't imagine someone spending so much money on an education which is so important, and then to graduate and have it be void. Its not a risk I'd like to take.

pixiestudent2 · Jun 16, 2012

You will not get an RN license if your school wasn't accredited by whatever one your state BON requires. It's usally CCNE and or NLNAC. The CCNE is the better one IMO. So it doesn't matter if your employer requires whatever, the thing is you won't have an RN license to practice if you haven't fulfilled your state's BON requirement.

This is not true at all. You will get a license when you pass nlcex. And why do you think ccne is better? They don't accredit ADN or diploma programs only the NLN does.

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · Jun 16, 2012

this is not true. there are many schools that are approved by the state's bon that are not accredited by either the nln or ccne. i went to a community college that does not appear as accredited on either of those websites, yet was cleared to take my nclex and passed. see the other responses for more examples.

this is not true at all. you will get a license when you pass nlcex. and why do you think ccne is better? they don't accredit adn or diploma programs only the nln does.

tyvin did not say that your school had to be accredited but the nln or ccne in order to get a license. she said that your school has to be accredited by whatever your bon requires. then she said it's usually the nln or ccne. there are definately some states that require the school to be accredited in order for you to get approved to take the nclex. i've read several threads about it here. not all bon's require accreditation, or accreditation through nln or ccne though. some only require that the nursing school be registered or approved by the state bon.

and you do not get a license when you pass nclex. the license is granted by your state bon, not by pearson vue. even if you pass the nclex, you can be denied a license by your state bon. (you can also be denied approval to take the nclex by your state bon.) the most common reason for this is some kind of criminal history or an incomplete application. just passing nclex does not get you a license- licenses are only given by the state bon where you applied.

SummitRN, BSN, RN · Jun 16, 2012

Which states require a school to have NLN or CCNE in order to be licensed? I am not aware of any that presently require that.

Colorado is going to require NLN or CCNE accreditation of schools for future students to sit for NCLEX, but that won't go into effect for years and it won't effect previously licensed RNs. Every unaccredited school in CO is now trying to become accredited.

Nursing Accreditation: Most schools require it for future education. Most employers prefer it and some require it. It is one mark of quality in a school, though not the only one. In theory it means the school is "above average." Only half of the schools can be above average. There are some crappy schools that are accredited.

It will be interesting to see how Colorado's requirement that all CO schools be above the national average goes. That is what happens when there are far too many schools vs employer demand.

pixiestudent2 · Jun 16, 2012

tyvin did not say that your school had to be accredited but the nln or ccne in order to get a license. she said that your school has to be accredited by whatever your bon requires. then she said it's usually the nln or ccne. there are definately some states that require the school to be accredited in order for you to get approved to take the nclex. i've read several threads about it here. not all bon's require accreditation, or accreditation through nln or ccne though. some only require that the nursing school be registered or approved by the state bon.

and you do not get a license when you pass nclex. the license is granted by your state bon, not by pearson vue. even if you pass the nclex, you can be denied a license by your state bon. (you can also be denied approval to take the nclex by your state bon.) the most common reason for this is some kind of criminal history or an incomplete application. just passing nclex does not get you a license- licenses are only given by the state bon where you applied.

isn't the only requirement to get a license and take nclex is to be approved by the board of nursing? schools that don't have nln or ccne accreditation are still allowed to practice as rn, maybe just my state? also don't you have to be approved by by the board of nursing before you can test not after? i really am asking questions i honestly though that was the way it worked, i'm a student so haven't gone through the process yet.

Stephalump · Jun 16, 2012

Which states require a school to have NLN or CCNE in order to be licensed? I am not aware of any that presently require that.
Colorado is going to require NLN or CCNE accreditation of schools for future students to sit for NCLEX, but that won't go into effect for years and it won't effect previously licensed RNs. Every unaccredited school in CO is now trying to become accredited.
Nursing Accreditation: Most schools require it for future education. Most employers prefer it and some require it. It is one mark of quality in a school, though not the only one. In theory it means the school is "above average." Only half of the schools can be above average. There are some crappy schools that are accredited.
It will be interesting to see how Colorado's requirement that all CO schools be above the national average goes. That is what happens when there are far too many schools vs employer demand.

I believe some state's BON call their process accreditation rather than "approval." When people come on AN upset because they can't sit for the NCLEX, I'm pretty sure it's because they are not longer approved/accredited at the state level. I know Indiana and California fall into that category.

tyvin, BSN, RN · Jun 17, 2012

tyvin did not say that your school had to be accredited but the nln or ccne in order to get a license. she said that your school has to be accredited by whatever your bon requires. then she said it's usually the nln or ccne. there are definately some states that require the school to be accredited in order for you to get approved to take the nclex. i've read several threads about it here. not all bon's require accreditation, or accreditation through nln or ccne though. some only require that the nursing school be registered or approved by the state bon.

and you do not get a license when you pass nclex. the license is granted by your state bon, not by pearson vue. even if you pass the nclex, you can be denied a license by your state bon. (you can also be denied approval to take the nclex by your state bon.) the most common reason for this is some kind of criminal history or an incomplete application. just passing nclex does not get you a license- licenses are only given by the state bon where you applied.

finally...someone who can read.

tyvin, BSN, RN · Jun 17, 2012

I will say that I understand how someone could read my post and freak out...hence the responses. I apologize. I do stand corrected that not all BONs require schools to be accredited. I certainly wouldn't go that route because what happens when you want to transfer to a state that requires some sort of accreditation.

Also I was trying to simplify the NCLEX process in my statement...I just presumed everyone knew that the board had to clear you first. I certainly am learning quite a bit on this site.

Thank you and thank you PICU RN.

unicorn40d · Jun 17, 2012

There are various accrediting bodies, but it is a very good idea to go to a school that both the school and the nursing program are accredited.

joshdwarhawks · Jun 18, 2012

DO NOT go to a non-accredited nursing school. You'll have a very difficult time trying to find any good-paying job. Most any job opening requirements call for graduates of an accredited nursing program. Most hospitals are even switching to giving priority to BSN over ASN too, fyi.

FLboundBSN · Jun 19, 2012

This really seems like a stupid question to me. :icon_roll Would you buy a car labeled as a LEMON from Joe Schmoe's car lot or a car from a reputable dealer?

If you are looking to get a bogus degree, give me a few thousand dollars, and I can print up your very own diploma indicating you are a nurse. :confused:

Did you REALLY ask this question? :banghead:

PMFB-RN, RN · Jun 19, 2012

If you are looking to get a bogus degree, give me a few thousand dollars, and I can print up your very own diploma indicating you are a nurse.

*** In the spirit of fair play and competition, I'll print you one for several hundred dollars:).