Accredation by CCNE necessary??

Published

Hey guys. Do any of you have experience in getting a RN-BSN from an accredited school, but that is not accredited by the CCNE, or the other one (can never remember what its called)? I have read that that accreditation is not mandatory. Is there anything I should be aware of, like do employers want that? Thanks

Up Vote Up Vote ×

A lot of employers do only hire graduates of accredited (CCNE or NLNAC (which has just changed its name to, I think, ACEN) programs, including some of the most desirable healthcare employers in the US -- the entire US military, the entire VA system, most university medical centers, lots of other hospitals. Also, most graduate programs in nursing require applicants to be graduates of accredited (CCNE/NLNAC) programs.

Can you have a long, full career in nursing without having attended a (nursing) accredited program? Sure. But you will be closing the door on a lot of professional and educational opportunities for yourself before you even get started. IMO, there's no good rationale for attending a non-accredited program.

You mention "RN-BSN" program specifically in your post. Are you someone who is already an RN and shopping for a BSN completion program? Is your original nursing program NLNAC accredited? In that case, it would not make as big a difference (if your prelicensure nursing program was accredited).

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

Necessary? Technically, it's not.

However, many employers won't consider an applicant that didn't graduate from either a NLNAC or CCNE accredited school.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion