CCNE Accreditation Comments

[Jules A]

If you have concerns about NP education please make your voice heard. Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) is interested in comments until 5/8. Speak now...

Via: an online survey at

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Survey on the Standards for Accreditation of Baccalaureate and Graduate Nursing Programs (218)

or email [email protected]

From: http://www.aacnnursing.org/Portals/42/CCNE/PDF/Call-for-Comments-April-2018.pdf

American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) > CCNE Accreditation > Proposed Accreditation Standards

[Jules A, MSN]

I looked at the survey and started reading the statement of standards I'm supposed to respond to and lost interest immediately after the first page. The language is just too general and vague to the point that I can't even say if I agree or not on what's being said. Why can't it just read "all Nurse Practitioner schools should have the capacity to provide a broad base of clinical experience relevant to the NP track to all students in various settings with expert preceptors arranged by the program"?

Appreciate your checking it out. There is also the option to email:

[email protected]

[Oldmahubbard]

I looked at the survey and started reading the statement of standards I'm supposed to respond to and lost interest immediately after the first page. The language is just too general and vague to the point that I can't even say if I agree or not on what's being said. Why can't it just read "all Nurse Practitioner schools should have the capacity to provide a broad base of clinical experience relevant to the NP track to all students in various settings with expert preceptors arranged by the program"?

The only thing different here from the status quo, which is poor quality, is that the preceptors are arranged by the program

[elkpark]

The only thing different here from the status quo, which is poor quality, is that the preceptors are arranged by the program

Even just that would be a significant step in the right direction, IMO. A start, at least.

[Corey Narry, MSN, RN, NP]

I've not been involved in the process of program accreditation in any way. I've been involved in developing/revising NP certification standards that's it. I really think that part of what makes NP programs poorly designed is the fact that the preceptorship can be so random and inconsistent. Maybe because we interchange the word "preceptorship" with "clinical rotation".

In the undergrad level, students have clinical instructors for clinical rotations but the senior preceptorship is usually one to one with a staff nurse who isn't faculty. Maybe this is how NP programs get away with not arranging or having their own faculty precept NP students...it could be an accepted standard from years back. That has to change.

The vague and general language has to be replaced with clear and direct reference to what must be happening. Just contrast the way CCNE standards compare to LCME for medical schools in the attachment and pay attention to how they word each standard.

2019-20_Functions-and-Structure_2018-04-16.pdf

[Corey Narry, MSN, RN, NP]

...on second thought, the CCNE document as revised does appear more concise if you take away the elaboration statements. However, it's still a combined standard for baccalaureate, master's, and dnp programs. I feel that NP programs are so complex and deserve its own separate standards independent of CNS, CRNA, and CNM educational standards. Each APRN role is unique enough on their own. If that is not something CCNE can come up with, then maybe we should have a separate commission that will accredit NP programs similar to how CRNA and CNM programs currently have their own commissions for program accreditation.

[broughden]

I suspect that part of the problem is that too many people don't want the standards increased. Too many people in nursing are looking for the easy path, and want to be taken seriously as a professional but don't want to do the "heavy lifting" all the other professions take for granted.

This ^

Between pre-professional NP-MSN programs with zero prior RN clinical hours required, and the online only programs with non-existent academic standards it has become a sad and dangerous joke.

I was just at Mayo yesterday and talking with an MD who said they are instituting an organization wide ban on NP's from online only programs. They will no longer accept them for preceptorship nor for hiring, because they know absolutely nothing and are a danger to patients.

But as long as people want to take the easy road, and the schools keep raking in the money, no one is going to be a halt to it unfortunately.

[Jules A, MSN]

I was just at Mayo yesterday and talking with an MD who said they are instituting an organization wide ban on NP's from online only programs. They will no longer accept them for preceptorship nor for hiring, because they know absolutely nothing and are a danger to patients. .

There was a company a while back that posted on their employment website that they wouldn't hire from online programs. What a shame that our industry is going to cannibalize itself.

[Dodongo, APRN, NP]

^ Both of these comments illustrate how this situation will be corrected.

[elkpark]

There was a company a while back that posted on their employment website that they wouldn't hire from online programs.

I remember when we discussed that here. As I recall, the restriction was not on all online programs across the board, but was carefully worded to refer specifically to the proprietary online programs. But I can't swear to my memory on that.

[djmatte, ADN, MSN, RN, NP]

I remember when we discussed that here. As I recall, the restriction was not on all online programs across the board, but was carefully worded to refer specifically to the proprietary online programs. But I can't swear to my memory on that.

You would be correct. Not all, butt very specific. And I believe one headquartered in its own state sadly.

[broughden]

^ Both of these comments illustrate how this situation will be corrected.

Hopefully its corrected before the concept of NP is dragged into the toilet permanently. Considering the CCNE, AANP and the various state BON's arent doing much at all to dissuade it or put a halt to it, Im worried about the long term damage it will do to the reputation of NPs as a profession.

[guest769224]

they are instituting an organization wide ban on NP's from online only programs. They will no longer accept them for preceptorship nor for hiring, because they know absolutely nothing and are a danger to patients.

Hallelujah. The Mayo Clinic setting a standard the rest of the nation should adopt.

^ Both of these comments illustrate how this situation will be corrected.

We can hope.

Hopefully its corrected before the concept of NP is dragged into the toilet permanently. Considering the CCNE, AANP and the various state BON's arent doing much at all to dissuade it or put a halt to it, Im worried about the long term damage it will do to the reputation of NPs as a profession.

NP's rep. have already been damaged because of these points, and IMO, it is progressing to a worsening state.