Worried About Accreditation

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The school I'm attending has a very new ADN nursing program. When I started attending the school, they only offered LPN. My plan was to do that, try it out, and then move forward with my degree. I ended up leaving school for a year (had a baby!), and when I came back to continue classes, I discovered they were about to start an ADN program. The first round of ADN students just graduated this past year and had a 100% pass rate on the NCLEX-RN. The program then received approval from the Georgia Board of Nursing (right on schedule to when they said they would). They applied for NLNAC accreditation and received "Candidacy." The official statement on my school website says they anticipate accreditation in the next year.

I was recently accepted to this program -- due to start this fall. 500+ applicants, and only 35 seats! I'm excited but nervous. If all goes according to plan, the program will have NLNAC accreditation before I graduate.

What are everyone's thoughts on this? Does it seem risky? What are the odds they would not receive accreditation? I plan to bridge to BSN and eventually MSN after this.

I wouldn't want to attend such a school knowing that it is well not accredited. I'd find another option in another school. Yes, it is risky and not one I would personally take. Its great that they are trying to get it, and I hope they do. But, until then I wouldn't step a foot in the door or lay down a dime.

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Specializes in Peds PACU & Peds Psych.
The school I applied for is not for-profit, it's the local community college. I also applied for it thinking they would easily get their accredidation because they are a good school and have had an accredited LPN school for years. At this point I'm out of options because DH is army and we move frequently. When a school fails their first go around at accredidation what are the odds of them getting accredited the second go around? Sorry OP I don't mean to hijack your thread.

Did they fail their initial accreditation? Many schools do. However, the NLNAC lists all the reasons for being denied so the school can rectify these issues before trying again. Most of the respectable schools I've seen that didn't make it through the first time paid attention to why they were denied and did not make the same mistakes twice (and were subsequently granted accreditation the next time around). The only thing you have to worry about is how long it will take to go through the process again. Unforunately, if the school does not achieve accreditation BEFORE you graduate, you will not be considered graduated from an NLNAC accredited program (even if they do achieve it later).

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

the certification status that counts is the one from the state as they are providing your license. You can call the BON but I suspect that a new school has a probationary period but this would not affect your ability to get your license. Schools have to meet certain criteria to open their doors and maintain that criteria to keep doors open.

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Specializes in Peds PACU & Peds Psych.
the certification status that counts is the one from the state as they are providing your license. You can call the BON but I suspect that a new school has a probationary period but this would not affect your ability to get your license. Schools have to meet certain criteria to open their doors and maintain that criteria to keep doors open.

The school already has full board approval, but NLNAC is still an extremely important factor.

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Let me make sure I am understanding this, you applied for the ADN program for the fall of 2012 and already got an acceptance letter? I was told nothing would be sent out until mid July. Do you mind me asking what was your PAX score?

I am also really worried about the accreditation, and this waiting for the letter is driving me nuts.

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Specializes in Peds PACU & Peds Psych.
Let me make sure I am understanding this, you applied for the ADN program for the fall of 2012 and already got an acceptance letter? I was told nothing would be sent out until mid July. Do you mind me asking what was your PAX score?

I am also really worried about the accreditation, and this waiting for the letter is driving me nuts.

I think when you get your acceptance letter depends on your school. My school sent letters in May. A school nearby started sending letters in June. Different strokes for different... schools. I didn't take PAX, so I can't answer that; I took TEAS V.

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Specializes in Nursing Education, CVICU, Float Pool.

My program, also an ADN program, is similarly seeking NLNAC accreditation. Actually, my class, the class of 2013, will be the first class to benefit from the accreditation, for we are the class that is going to be reviewed/ interviewed. All previous graduating classes will be grandfathered in under the accreditation. Hopefully all goes well!

It is my understanding that many ADN and diploma programs have gone unaccredited for years, other than their BON approval and accreditation, because it simply wasn't thought to be needed. Now, many ADN programs are seeking accreditation to further affirm that their students receive quality nursing education that prepares them to be safe, competent, and professional nurses.

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Specializes in Psych/Mental Health.

Personally I wouldn't consider a school that isn't historically and currently accredited by BON and NLNAC. I work hard to get good grades and will work hard to get my degree. I'm not willing to put my future in something that I have absolutely no control over.

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Specializes in Peds PACU & Peds Psych.
My program, also an ADN program, is similarly seeking NLNAC accreditation. Actually, my class, the class of 2013, will be the first class to benefit from the accreditation, for we are the class that is going to be reviewed/ interviewed. All previous graduating classes will be grandfathered in under the accreditation. Hopefully all goes well!

So, will the previous graduating classes be able to say they have graduated from an NLNAC accredited school, or will it only be your class and subsequent classes?

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Specializes in Nursing Education, CVICU, Float Pool.

So, will the previous graduating classes be able to say they have graduated from an NLNAC accredited school, or will it only be your class and subsequent classes?

Yes. Previous graduates will be grandfathered in to say that they attended an NLNAC school! Also, I realized that another reason we are seeking accreditation is because many if the bridge programs will either require graduation from an NLNAC accredited program or prefer it. So that's a plus to getting accredited, it may give you more options for BSN and Graduate nursing programs!

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I think the big questions I would ask, is 1.) do employers hire graduates from this school, and 2.) do BSN programs around your vicinity take graduates from this school. If both questions are "yes" answers, then I would have no problem going to this school. Not only is it important for your program to be accredited, but it is important for it to stay accredited. To me, it's kind of out of your control. If it is a well respected program in your area, then go. Not every area has a large state institution nearby offering the BSN. Many areas rely on local public or private institutions to meet the education needs in that community. The school I am going to is a local ADN program. The program is well respected and accredited, but the school itself is on accreditation probation. I am not sure what that means for the program. I hope my school stays accredited, as well as my program!!!

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Specializes in Peds PACU & Peds Psych.
I think the big questions I would ask, is 1.) do employers hire graduates from this school, and 2.) do BSN programs around your vicinity take graduates from this school. If both questions are "yes" answers, then I would have no problem going to this school. Not only is it important for your program to be accredited, but it is important for it to stay accredited. To me, it's kind of out of your control. If it is a well respected program in your area, then go. Not every area has a large state institution nearby offering the BSN. Many areas rely on local public or private institutions to meet the education needs in that community. The school I am going to is a local ADN program. The program is well respected and accredited, but the school itself is on accreditation probation. I am not sure what that means for the program. I hope my school stays accredited, as well as my program!!!

We have our site visit from the NLNAC in February. I do feel confident that we will receive accreditation (which is a lot coming from me, a neurotic over-worrier). We also did get a chance to meet with the graduate class, and all have gone on to receive employment and/or continue their education without issue. I believe this does have a lot to do with the school itself simply being well-established and well-respected. :)

Good luck to you, and hopefully everything works out with your program as well!

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