Accredited by WHO?

[Megsd, BSN, RN]

Okay, here's a question. I've always understood that it is important to participate in an accredited nursing program. But whose accreditation counts? I believe I read in a thread a few days ago to check the www.nlnac.org website, which I did, only to find out that NONE of the nursing programs I am entertaining (I won't be applying until next year) are present on that site as having NLNAC accreditation.

Some of these non-NLNAC accredited schools have been described as "excellent" programs, and a few have "voluntarily withdrawn" from their accreditation. How should I take this information? Is the NLNAC who to look at for accredited programs, or should I look more toward who's accredited by the state board of nursing (or do they even give accreditation to schools?)?

I don't want to consider schools that will make me ineligible for aid/jobs, etc., but it seems like the NLNAC doesn't give accreditation to very many institutions, so I'm very confused.

Any ideas?

Meghan

[TopCat1234]

i've come across two accrediting agencies for nursing schools

• nlnac - national league for nursing accrediting commission
  
• ccne - commission on collegiate nursing education
  

the ccne is recognized by the us secretary of education. i really don't know much about the nlnac except that they don't seem to accredit many institutions, or ones i wish to attend. but the ccne does and that's good enough for me!

topcat

[TopCat1234]

of course i couldn't let well enough alone. so i went to the us dept of education website. both the nlnac and the ccne are approved by the dept for nursing school accreditation. here's what it says:

the dates specified for each entry are the date of initial listing as a recognized agency, the date of the secretary's most recent grant of renewed recognition, and the date of the agency's next scheduled review for renewal of recognition by the national advisory committee on institutional quality and integrity. (note: s = spring meeting and f = fall meeting)

nursing

commission on collegiate nursing education

2000/2001/f2006

scope of recognition: the accreditation of nursing education programs in the united states, at the baccalaureate and graduate degree levels.

title iv note: accreditation by this agency does not enable the entities it accredits to establish eligibility to participate in title iv programs.

jennifer l. butlin, director

one dupont circle nw, suite 530

washington, dc 20036-1120

tel. [phone], fax [phone]

e-mail address: [email protected]

web address: www.aacn.nche.edu/accreditation/index.htm

national league for nursing accrediting commission

1952/2001/f2006

scope of recognition: the accreditation in the united states of programs in practical nursing, and diploma, associate, baccalaureate and higher degree nurse education programs.

title iv note: only diploma programs and practical nursing programs not located in a regionally accredited college or university may use accreditation by this agency to establish eligibility to participate in title iv programs.

barbara ruhe grumet, executive director

61 broadway

new york, new york 10006

tel. [phone], fax [phone]

e-mail address: [email protected]

web address: www.nlnac.org

there are separate accrediting agencies for nurse anesthesia, nurse midwifery and nurse practitioners.

hope that helps!

topcat

[Megsd, BSN, RN]

Awesome! Thanks so much for that info. :)

Meghan

[orrnlori, RN]

Any nursing program you look at should be accredited by the NLN or the CCNE, either/or/both. You also need to make certain that the school and program are regionally accredited by one of the 6 regional accreditors. I don't think that the NLN or CCNE will accredit a program that has not been regionally accredited as well but I'm not sure about it. I have looked at several BSN programs from what look like good, but decidedly new, programs, where regional accreditation is in place but not NLN or CCNE. My hospital will not accept them as legitimate and a BSN or MSN from them would be worthless for me. Stay away from mills like Canyon College etc.

[orrnlori, RN]

Forgot something. If the school you attend is not regionally accredited and accredited by NLN/CCNE then you will be unable to countinue your education at a regionally accredited school. They will consider you as having zero credits.

[Megsd, BSN, RN]

Interesting. Would it be safe to assume that if a school is accredited by NLNAC or CCNE then they're also regionally accredited?

Once I pick a region, maybe I'll look into the regional accreditation part (hee).

Thanks for all the info, guys!

Meghan

[orrnlori, RN]

To be safe you need to ask the school directly about their regional accreditation status. In California, there are many "state" accredited schools that are not regionally accredited. Someone graduated from a California state accredited school would have problems trying to extend their education beyond the border of California. I would assume that NLN and CCNE only accredit programs in schools that are regionally accredited but I can't say for certain.

Keep in mind, these are two different issues. The first part is that the school itself must be accredited by one of the 6 regional accrediting agencies, the nursing program within the school is then accredited by the NLN or the CCNE. Since NLN and CCNE are part of the higher education mafioso, I would assume that they would only sanction those programs that are regionally accredited, but you know what happens when one assumes. :chuckle There's a third type of accreditation for colleges and universities and that is national accreditation. While it sounds like national accreditation would be the highest status a school could achieve, this ain't so. The gold standard is regional accreditation for the school, and NLN or CCNE accreditation for the program. Good luck!