DNP program with no AACN accreditation

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I am currently looking at a couple of online DNP programs. A couple of them I am interested in are not AACN accredited, but do have accreditation from a regional body. Do you think AACN accreditation is important? Thanks!

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

By AACN, do you mean CCNE? Nursing school accreditation (either by CCNE or ACEN) is required if you were to finish a DNP program that prepares you to become a nurse practitioner because national certification through ANCC, AANP, AACN, etc requires that your nursing program be accredited.

If this were a DNP that is geared toward management and no further certification is required to perform your role as a manager, then it isn't much of an issue.

There are scenarios where an NP program is neither CCNE or ACEN accredited but is recognized by a specific state BON (i.e., in California). Graduates in those programs can practice as NP's in that specific state only but not in other states that require national certification.

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Specializes in GENERAL.

In your line of future work you will need to graduate from a reputable school. This means ones that have the nursing seal of approval, even though that doesn't mean much, as the previous poster laid out, it's still a must.

Although accreditation has dubious meaning these days, it is still needed even it is not paramount on the list of what schools worth their salt should provide you with.

By the way, stay clear of the for-profits. They too will be accredited by CCNE and ACEN and this is why they say you can put lipstick on a pig but the oink oink oink is a dead givaway.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

In my opinion, why would you even consider paying for a non-accredited program? Those were the first ruled out on my list when I was choosing a program.

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How can one possibly consider attending an NP program which lacks accreditation? The fact that a person can ever think that a valid idea is horrifying and demonstrates the extreme lack of rigor which NP programs are (not) held to.

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If your going to throw away money on some non accredited degree, I will give you an offer. Just give me 1/2 the money so I can go buy this new trailer for my truck then keep the other half. This way your saving half tuition, saving buttloads of time, and will get the same result

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

Not all DNP programs are NP programs. Mine is in Nursing Educational Leadership- the CCNE does not accredit such non-clinical focused programs. It is also a post-master's program, and your MSN needed to be accredited to enter the DNP program.

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Absolutely, it is important. Please do not pay for a DNP program that will not graduate you with a legitimate degree. Can you tell us why you are considering programs that are not accredited? Is there something in particular about them that appeals to you?

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Specializes in CRNA.

CCNE absolutely does accredit DNP programs with a non-clinical focus. Two examples of many:

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) at the George Washington School of Nursing are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

[h=2]Accreditation Statement[/h]nursingsmall.jpg The BSN, MSN, and DNP programs at the University of South Alabama College of Nursing are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education,

One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530

Washington, DC 20036

(202) 887-6791

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