The Difference Between Approval and Accreditation
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Approval and accreditation are both important to operate and maintain a successful nursing program, but the two terms do not mean the same thing. The purpose of this article is to discuss the differences between approval and accreditation for schools of nursing.
by TheCommuter Asst. Admin Jul 6, '12
Many potential and current nursing students do not fully understand the concepts of approval and accreditation. For instance, someone recently mentioned that his/her school of nursing is accredited by the Arizona Board of Nursing. State boards of nursing absolutely do not accredit nursing programs, so this is an attempt to clear up any confusion regarding approval and accreditation.
What does 'approval' mean? In most states, approval means that a nursing program has met specific standards set by individual state law. When a state grants approval for a nursing program to operate, this allows the approved school of nursing to start admitting pupils, conducting courses, and graduating students.
Why is approval important? Approval is mandatory because one's school of nursing must be approved by a state board of nursing (BON) in order to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for registered nurses (RNs) or licensed practical nurses (LPNs). Also, approval requires ongoing compliance with the minimum standards that have been set by each state.
Accreditation, on the other hand, is a voluntary status bestowed upon a nursing program by an accrediting agency not associated with the state BON. Accreditation provides assurance that the program in which you are enrolled or are considering enrolling is engaged in continuous review and improvement of its quality, that it meets nationally endorsed standards in the profession, and that it is accountable for achieving what it sets out to do (APA, n.d.).
Why is accreditation important? If an individual wants to continue his or her nursing education, completion of an accredited nursing program is often mandatory for admission into other accredited nursing programs. In addition, many government employers such as the Department of Defense, the Veterans Administration, and federal prisons will not hire RNs who did not graduate from accredited schools of nursing.
The two national entities that grant accreditation to nursing programs are the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission (NLNAC) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The NLNAC accredits LPN programs, associate, diploma, baccalaureate (BSN), masters, and doctorate degree programs. The CCNE accredits only baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral degree programs.
Contrary to popular belief, a nursing program does not need to be accredited because the accreditation process is purely voluntary. As long as the nursing program is state-approved, the graduate will be eligible to take NCLEX and receive a nursing license upon passing the exam. However, a nursing program's lack of accreditation might close the doors to pursuing higher education and opportunities for employment with certain entities.Last edit by Joe V on Jul 7, '12
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Article Information
TheCommuter is a moderator of allnurses.com and has varied experiences upon which to draw for her articles. She was an LPN/LVN for more than four years prior to becoming a registered nurse.
APA Style Citation
TheCommuter. (Jul 6, '12). The Difference Between Approval and Accreditation. Retrieved Saturday, May 25, 2013, from http://allnurses.com/showthread.php?t=753939
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Jul 7, '12 by elkparkDon't forget general academic accreditation, which determines, among other things, whether the courses completed at a particular school can be accepted for transfer credit by other colleges and universities.Multicollinearity and mesa1979 like this. -
Jul 7, '12 by RHellnerthanks for the clarificatiion, I was thinking that they were the same as many. - Asst. Admin
Jul 7, '12 by TheCommuterQuote from RHellnerYou're very welcome.thanks for the clarificatiion, I was thinking that they were the same as many.
It's sad when I see people post on these forums that their school is 'accredited' by the state BON when, after doing some digging, the nursing program is totally unaccredited. It is merely approved to operate by the state BON. - Jul 8, '12 by elkparkQuote from TheCommuterTo be fair, some state BONs do actually use the terms "accredit" and "accreditation" to refer to what all the other states refer to as BON "approval," which further muddies the water. CA was one, the last time I looked at the BRN website, and I think there may be a few others.You're very welcome.
It's sad when I see people post on these forums that their school is 'accredited' by the state BON when, after doing some digging, the nursing program is totally unaccredited. It is merely approved to operate by the state BON. - Jul 9, '12 by Tang NSo how does this effect online programs that are accredited by the CCNE or NLNAC and students are studying out of state from the physical location of the school?
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Jul 9, '12 by StephalumpYou take the NCLEX in the state you wish to be licensed in, so the rules concerning your ability to test would be based on your state's rules. For instance, so states will clear you to test after graduation from Excelsior because the program is approved by its home state. Some states will not allow you to test because of the lack of clinical hours.
