Completed Non-Accredited Nursing Program, But Want Higher Education. Help!

[TheCommuter]

A handful of individuals may have read the title of this piece and probably thought to themselves, "How could anyone graduate from an unaccredited nursing program? Are these graduates even able to get a nursing license?"

Many nurses have graduated from non-accredited schools of nursing

When I bring up the word 'unaccredited,' I am referring to the programs that lack national nursing accreditation. The two major entities that nationally accredit nursing programs in the United States and its territories are the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (formerly known as the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The number of private for-profit schools of nursing has proliferated in recent years, and while a few of these programs are nationally accredited by the ACEN or CCNE, many others lack this legitimizing accreditation.

Furthermore, countless nurses graduated from three-year hospital-based diploma nursing programs in years past. Although some of these programs were nationally accredited, a large number were unaccredited. Therefore, many nurses who completed diploma nursing programs in previous generations have encountered frustrating issues when attempting to return to school to earn a BSN or MSN degree. For instance, one of my former instructors earned a hospital-based diploma from the Los Angeles County Medical Center School of Nursing in 1970, but basically had to start from scratch when she wanted to complete a BSN degree in the 1990s.

Are graduates of unaccredited nursing programs even able to get licensed?

YES!

You might be surprised to learn no state board of nursing in the US requires national accreditation from the ACEN or CCNE. In fact, state boards of nursing only require that nursing programs attain approval to operate. In other words, the BON requires approval, but not accreditation. Accreditation is a purely voluntary process that nursing programs undergo to ensure quality and a certain level of standards.

Nurses who have graduated from non-accredited programs may face three significant hurdles in their professional careers. For starters, the Department of Defense (also known as the military), the Veterans Administration, federal prisons, and other entities operated by the US Government will not hire RNs who completed nursing programs that lacked national accreditation. Secondly, some prestigious hospital systems will not hire RNs who graduated from unaccredited schools of nursing.

Finally, transferability of credits is a major issue because a graduate of a non-accredited program who wishes to pursue higher education will be rejected by the vast majority of accredited nursing programs. Most RN-to-BSN completion programs require candidates to have earned an associates degree in nursing from a nationally accredited program. Most BSN-to-MSN progression programs require applicants to possess a BSN degree from a nationally accredited program. Without a nursing degree from a nationally accredited program, most schools will reject your application with the exception of some of the private for-profit entities (Kaplan, ITT Technical Institute, Walden, Chamberlain, etc.).

What if you are a graduate of a non-accredited associate degree program or diploma school of nursing?

Are there any nonprofit, nationally accredited programs that will work with you?

YES!

You do have options. I have listed several nonprofit degree completion programs that have accepted graduates of unaccredited nursing programs. Some of these programs are completely online, others are hybrid, and a few offer purely brick-and-mortar nursing education. Most of these schools of nursing require graduates of unaccredited programs to validate prior learning through challenge exams, competency testing and/or completion of a handful of bridge courses. Also, some of the nursing programs may offer provisional acceptance to graduates of unaccredited programs or review their applications on a case-by-case basis.

Nonprofit RN degree completion programs that accept graduates of unaccredited nursing programs

University of Wisconsin at Green Bay

Indiana Wesleyan University

Lamar University

American Public University

The University of Toledo

Charleston Southern University

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

University of Saint Mary (Kansas)

University of Missouri at Kansas City

Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing

University of Central Arkansas

Western Kentucky University

Tarleton State University

Miami University (Ohio)

East Tennessee State University

Missouri Western State University

Valdosta State University

Columbus State University

Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Western Governors University (BSN and MSN)

Christian Brothers University

University of Texas at Arlington

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Are you having a hard time deciding which nursing school to attend?
Visit Accredited Nursing Schools & Programs

[melissa.in.san.diego, BSN]

Ok, so another update as to how my nursing career is progressing...

I have been working in the Medical Intensive Care Unit for 2 years now (September in my anniversary month). I currently hold my CCRN certification, which I sat for back in January. I have applied for and gotten a position in our Surgical/Trauma Intensive Care Unit, which I begin in late September. Oh, and yes...we are a level one trauma center. I have been taking classes at UMKC each semester, but even with my employee discount it has been expensive. Especially since I graduated from nursing school I wanted to treat myself a bit (I bought a new car), so living expenses increased for me. My employer pays for 75% of up to 6 credits each semester- so basically part time study. I did recently qualify for and received a $10,000 Nursing Diversity Scholarship- which is much better than the initial scholarship they gave me, and means I can now afford to take a full time coorifice load this Fall, as well as Spring 2017. Finally, I will be able to make some real progress toward my BSN. I am taking 3 classes at UMKC, and 1 class at University of Missouri, Columbia. I enrolled at the university in Columbia because I live near here, and I can take my more difficult classes on campus as opposed to online. I enrolled here as a non-degree seeking student; although I plan to use those credits towards my BSN at UMKC. I still have a long road before I graduate because I essentially had to retake everything. UMKC only gave me 30 credits towards my BSN degree. I suppose that is the price I have to pay for attending the type of school I did, but I refuse to let it discourage me from pursuing my dreams of being a professional (BSN) nurse. I figure in the mean time I can continue to gain awesome experience, and soak up as much knowledge as I can before my next journey: grad school.

Also, I had considered relocating out of state. I had phone interviews at major hospitals in San Diego, Denver, Seattle, and New Orleans-all critical care. They ALL seemed extremely interested in hiring me- Seattle and New Orleans all but hired me on the spot. So, going to an unaccredited program has not limited me as a Registered Nurse, but it HAS limited me from other professional opportunities- BSN, grad school, and some supervisory roles. I will try to continue to update everyone on my progress as a graduate of an unaccredited nursing school, and hopefully I can shed some light on the easiest way to climb the professional ladder.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

melissa.in.san.diego said:

OK, so another update as to how my nursing career is progressing...

Thank you so very much for posting this update, and congratulations on obtaining your CCRN certification!

[mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN]

@ maya612 our program was not approved by NLN, they were trying get it. They had trouble with the LPN-RN program and the NCLEX pass rates. It was still an accredited Comm College so everything counted.

[Ikeuwaz]

There one situation I didn't see previously mentions. This might be a stupid question. But Let say you get your ADN from an Community college which is only state accredited. Then go on to get your BSN which is nationally accredited. When applying for post grad degrees (MSN OR DOCTORAL). Does the Nationally accredited BSN supersede the ADN. That is to say, is the fact that one received a regional ADN a non factor when applying for post grad opportunities, after you've received a BSN From and nationally accredited school? Hope that made sense.

[FutureHolisticRN]

There one situation I didn't see previously mentions. This might be a stupid question. But Let say you get your ADN from an Community college which is only state accredited. Then go on to get your BSN which is nationally accredited. When applying for post grad degrees (MSN OR DOCTORAL). Does the Nationally accredited BSN supersede the ADN. That is to say, is the fact that one received a regional ADN a non factor when applying for post grad opportunities, after you've received a BSN From and nationally accredited school? Hope that made sense.

I'm also looking for an answer to this question. Curious as to if this list is up to date still as well.

[melissa.in.san.diego, BSN]

I spoke to the program director via email of a CRNA program, and she told me it was not an issue and to go ahead and apply. The requirement is that you have a BSN from a accredited university- that ADN degree does not even matter. Unfortunately UMKC lied to me about how many credits they would accept. So, I switched to University of Saint Mary in Kansas. Much better program, upfront about what you will need to graduate, and extremely professional and helpful with the transition from one program to another- which can be overwhelming and stressful.

[FutureHolisticRN]

Is there an updated list? I just looked at St. Joseph's and it now requires you to have graduated from an accredited program.

[FutureHolisticRN]

Hunter College also requires you come from an accredited school now too

[Thecuriousnurse]

I also attended a state approved non accredited program. I passed nclex (April 2017) and was able to endorse to another state. I currently attend Chamberlain RN to BSN program and only have 30 credits to get my BSN. Chamberlain assesses your overall education and not just looks at whether or not your school was accredited.

Do the "big" name hospitals in NY give you a hard time about the non accreditation. ABSOLUTELY. But there is so much competition to get into these hospitals that I would have a hard time regardless.

Do I have to remain unemployed because of this? DEFINITELY NOT. The key is to flexible. I have a job offer at an LTC which is fine for now since I have six years of LPN experience in LTC and don't have any biases. I have also sent application to dialysis centers and other non hospital jobs who only care that I:

1. Passed NCLEX and

2. Have some nursing experience

God willing, I will finish my BSN next year and have more options open, as I was told by another nurse that had a non accredited ASN, that some employers value the BSN status more that whatever you had before.

I do not regret going to that school. I plan to make the most out of every experience and to sell myself to get what I want. To all others in a similar position stay encouraged there are ways and means around every situation, keep learning, be the best you can be and you will shine. An opportunity will arise.

[Guest757854]

Excellent advice and encouragement!!!!

[kkb91]

I know this is old but I've run into this problem. I'm moving out of state in July and am in a program for my LPN. It won't allow me to get my LPN in the other state because it's not ACEN. Should I continue going with this program or would it be wise to just drop and wait to get into a program when I move?

[MiMiButterfly]

Thank you so much for this