Does it have to be NLNAC accredited??

[Aspiring_RN]

I am currently enrolled at Hondros College for their LVN/LPN program. They offer a LVN/LPN-RN bridge program, but my only concern is they are not NLNAC accredited. They are however accredited by the Accrediting Council of Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) and also approved by the State Board of Career College & Schools as well as fully approved by the Ohio Board of Nursing (OBN).

My main concern is when I'm finally done w/my RN program, I know I will move to California, Washington and Illinois because of my bf's work. I'm worried that the state won't allow me to work because of the accreditation.

[misty63090]

I know that some schools that are not accredited cannot offer government funded financial aid such as stafford loans and such, it would be from private lenders w/ a higher interest rate. I would check w/ the state you plan to take your boards in, All nursing programs make it very clear that even though you are completing a nursing program thru them, they cannot guarantee your ability to write the nclex and take it, so in essence you may end up completing this program, and the state board of nursing deny you to take the nclex d/t the standards of accreditation not being met. I personally, would do your homework very throughly before completing this program. Some programs temporarily lose thier accreditation from time to time, for instance if thier pass rate falls below i want to say like 60% for 2 consecutive years, that can be grounds for it, and it would take them another year to get them back up. I would find out why they are not accredited, and what their doing to fix it?? Hope this helps...............

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

No, the nursing program does not need NLNAC accreditation.

NLN accreditation is important if you plan to pursue graduate school someday or further your education in nursing. However, state approval is all that is needed in order to be eligible to sit for NCLEX once you graduate.

I completed a trade school program that was not NLN accredited in California in 2005. I was able to obtain licensure in Texas and Oklahoma with no problem, because my nursing program met the minimum standards set by each state. NLNAC accreditation tends to go way beyond the minimal standards set by the state boards of nursing.