CRNA programs that will accept a BSN from a nationally accredited program

Published

Who knows of crna programs that will accept a BSN from a nationally accredited program. The program is ACEN and CCNE accredited as well.

Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

Wouldn't almost all of them? Or are you saying your BSN is ONLY nationally accredited and not regionally accredited?

Specializes in CRNA.

None officially, but I've seen it get slid by. I assume either they aren't paying attention or need to fill a class and are banking on no one checking the file. Did your BSN program inform you of the ramifications of national accreditation?

Yes, my BSN is from a school that does not have regional accreditation. They have national, ACEN, and CCNE accreditation.

I knew that graduate schools for many programs would be limited with only national accreditation. At the time I was only considering FNP programs and not CRNA. It's odd that schools don't readily accept credits from nationally accredited schools. It all ends in the same place I.e with a nursing license and employment/experience as a professional RN. I'll keep looking around though. Thank you for the insight.

Specializes in ICU.

Oh, that's tough. I think it'll depend on the school and your stats. Contact the schools you're most interested in and find out their policy.

Specializes in CRNA.

All CRNA programs are required to have regionally accreditation. The standards for regional accreditation require that the only degrees and credits a regionally accredited institution can recognize must be earned at a regionally accredited institution. Regional accreditation is the gold standard. If a CRNA program accepts a student that doesn't meet their admission standards then that program can be sited for not following their policies. Was your BSN a completion degree or entry to practice ? Do you have any other BS or BA?

It's odd that schools don't readily accept credits from nationally accredited schools. It all ends in the same place I.e with a nursing license and employment/experience as a professional RN.

National vs. regional academic accreditation is about the general academic standards of the school and has nothing to do with nursing. The academic standards for national academic accreditation are significantly lower than the standards required by the regional accrediting organizations. The coursework isn't considered equivalent to the coursework done at schools with regional accreditation because the standards are lower. That's why the coursework isn't accepted.

All great stuff here thank you! If I understand correctly my BSN is an entry to practice. I didn't earn my associates in nursing so not an RN to BSN. I do have another BS from Northern Arizona University. They're regionally accredited but I didn't take any of my nursing coursework there. Does having one degree from a regionally accredited program help? (even if it's not in nursing). Also what about the CCNE and ACEN accreditation? CRNA programs don't look at/consider that?

I appreciate the advice to contact schools I am considering and just see what they say. I'll definitely do that just wanted to test the waters on all nurses.

All great stuff here thank you! If I understand correctly my BSN is an entry to practice. I didn't earn my associates in nursing so not an RN to BSN. I do have another BS from Northern Arizona University. They're regionally accredited but I didn't take any of my nursing coursework there. Does having one degree from a regionally accredited program help? (even if it's not in nursing). Also what about the CCNE and ACEN accreditation? CRNA programs don't look at/consider that?

I appreciate the advice to contact schools I am considering and just see what they say. I'll definitely do that just wanted to test the waters on all nurses.

You're talking apples and oranges. ACEN and CCNE accreditation are nursing specific and have nothing to do with general academic accreditation or standards. Most nursing graduate programs (the legitimate ones) require that you be a graduate of an ACEN- or CCNE-accredited program in order to be eligible. But all CRNA programs (and nursing graduate programs generally) are part of a college or university, and all regionally-accredited colleges and universities require that your previous academic coursework be from a regionally-accredited school in order for your previous coursework to be recognized/accepted, regardless of your major/discipline. That is purely academic and the ACEN or CCNE accreditation has nothing to do with that (and won't compensate for your previous school's academic accreditation). Whether or not your previous non-nursing degree from a regionally-accredited school will make a difference is an interesting question (I'm guessing it won't, but, then, I'm a pessimist by nature. :)) Best wishes, in any case!

Specializes in CRNA.
All great stuff here thank you! If I understand correctly my BSN is an entry to practice. I didn't earn my associates in nursing so not an RN to BSN. I do have another BS from Northern Arizona University. They're regionally accredited but I didn't take any of my nursing coursework there. Does having one degree from a regionally accredited program help? (even if it's not in nursing). Also what about the CCNE and ACEN accreditation? CRNA programs don't look at/consider

The degree from Northern AZ will help, now you may need to take some specific course prerequisites from a regionally accredited institution. For example if a program requires 2 semesters of chemistry then you need that from a regionally accredited institution.

+ Join the Discussion