Accepted to a school that is accreditated by the state BON but not CCNE or NLNAC...

[blueshift]

I've been accepted to a nursing school that is apparently only a candidate for NLNAC accreditation (until august 2013, according to NLNAC's website) but is accredited by my state's board of nursing. If I go to this school how bad am I crippling my career? Is it a major no-no to attend a school that is only accreditated by the state?

I'm supposed to be starting in January. If my school gets NLNAC accreditation before I graduate, does that mean I'll have an NLNAC accredited degree, even if they weren't accredited when I started?

[nyteshade, BSN]

I took that same risk...in my case it worked out ok because the school ended up getting their accreditation in the middle of my program, and yes that counted for my degree. It depends on how much of a risk you are willing to take.

[elkpark]

Most graduate programs require that you be a graduate of an accredited (NLNAC or CCNE) program in order to be eligible. A growing number of healthcare employers (including some of the most desirable healthcare employers in the country, inc., many large academic medical centers, the entire VA system, and the entire US military) require graduation from an accredited program. You can probably make a successful career with a diploma/degree from an unaccredited school, but why close off so many future opportunities to yourself this early in your career?

If the school is is actively in the accreditation process when you graduate and they end up getting accreditation, you'll be a graduate of an accredited program (even if they don't have the final, official accreditation at the time you graduate). The process itself takes several years. If the school isn't already actively in the process while you're there, but gets accredited later, it's not "retroactive" beyond the time they were actively seeking accreditation, and prior graduates will always be graduates of an unaccredited program even thought the school is now accredited.

[traumanurse2b?]

I would think you would be okay if they are going through the process of accreditation. The program I was accepted to didn't have their accreditation until a couple months ago. They had had a 2 yr ADN program for many many years and a few years ago decided to close that program and start a BSN program. They just graduated their first class and after everyone passed their NCLEX over the summer, they finally received their CCNE accreditation. I would see if you could speak with someone at the school and find out more information about the accreditation and where they are on that track. Good luck OP :)

[Stephalump]

I think it depends on the program. Some less than honest schools know they'll never attain accreditation but apply anyway...over and over again. Students think "Hey, they're candidates!" and are willing to take the risk and then graduate four years later with the school still unaccredited.

Of course even great schools have to go through the process and some students had to take the risk. The credentials of where I graduate from are important to mr, so I wouldn't risk it, but to each their own!

[PMFB-RN, RN]

The largest health care organization int he country, the VA, requires it's nurses to have graduated from an NLN or CCNE accreditated nursing school. Something to think about. I personaly would not attend a school that didn't have NLN or CCNE.

[EmilysMama]

I heavily weighed the pros and cons of this exact problem. I wanted to be done in 2 years, but the thought of going to school and the school not getting accredited then not being employable bothered me. I opted out, and went to another school instead. I'll be honest, I'm glad I did.

[rubato, ASN, RN]

I agree with some of the above posters. Being a candidate doesn't always mean that they will actually become accredited. It's in the school's best interest to tell you that it'll all be fine, but, in reality, some schools are just lying about it. If it were me, I'd be worried and wouldn't do it. But, it could work out just fine for you.

[blueshift]

I would think you would be okay if they are going through the process of accreditation. The program I was accepted to didn't have their accreditation until a couple months ago. They had had a 2 yr ADN program for many many years and a few years ago decided to close that program and start a BSN program. They just graduated their first class and after everyone passed their NCLEX over the summer, they finally received their CCNE accreditation. I would see if you could speak with someone at the school and find out more information about the accreditation and where they are on that track. Good luck OP :)

My school is a public community college way out in the middle of the nowhere. It's my only choice unless I relocate. I'm not sure why they're only now applying for accreditation, as they've had their nursing school for years now. But time does seem to move a lot slower here!

I will PROBABLY attend, as I already intend to start on my BSN immediately (from a CCNE accredited program) immediately after I graduate with the ADN, but I'm definitely still weighing the pros and cons. I'm not sure I can afford to move at all and the price of the program is right.