HELP! Just found out school is not accredited

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Hi! So I was recently accepted to Sandhill's Community College for their ADN program! I was so excited I cried.

Then I cried again when I went to the orientation and found out they're not nationally accredited. What!

They are accredited by North Carolina Board of Nursing and the school as a whole is accredited. Anyways, this is the only school that is close to me the rest being a 1-2 hour drive depending. Plus waiting another year and a half to start a program. Moving is not a financial option for me and neither is driving 2+ hours each day for school and clinicals.

Im really heartbroken, but they made it seem as though there are silver linings. They have a bridge articulation with a lot of the universities to get a RN-BSN from accredited schools, and they said they've only had a few issues. I know I need my BSN so this is not an issue. I really need help deciding if this is the best option for me. Anyone do a non accredited program and what was your experience? If I turn this down I am truly looking at not going back to school for up to five years. Anyone go to Sandhills? Or work in the southern pines area? Would love to know your thoughts!

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I do not go there, nor am I in that neck of the woods at all. However, from what you have described you either take a chance and go to that school, or you do not take a chance and do something else. You have no other options since you said moving is not possible.

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I would really make sure that your degree and units from that school will transfer into an accredited BSN program. You should get in touch with former students who were able to transfer to a BSN program.

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The school has an articulation agreement with all the major universities in North Carolina. But It is such a heartbreaking thing to learn. But I really don't see there being another option, unless I move.

I have spoken with several people in the area who say all the nurses come from this program, and they are all getting jobs. So for the immediate location it doesn't seem to be a problem. It may become one if I move out of state.

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I don't see how it will be a problem as long as you get your BSN from an accredited 4-year university. I'm sure employers will see that a BSN from an accredited university makes up for an unaccredited ADN since it's a higher degree.

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I was in a school like that and it closed on me (and the rest of the students of course) right before my psych and OB semesters. The reason I went to that school (Dade Medical) down in Miami was because I have an AA and as long as I completed to the program even though they weren't accredited I could go into any RN-BSN program after completing my ASN program and acquiring my RN license. BUT!, school closed down and I had to start from scratch, Now, I've been accepted to one of the nations top 3 colleges, nursing program (Broward College) and I couldn't be happier. With that being said, check with other accredited RN-BSN programs around your area to see if they accept your RN License even though you graduated from a non-accredited program. If they do, ask specific questions, such as what courses will be required to take prior being accepted. If not, in my opinion, well that's your answer. Hope you conquest your quest! :)

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Yeah this was one of my worries. But the community college is accredited as a school and the nursing program is accredited by the North Carolina board of nursing. Just not national nursing so many major hospitals, especially out of state, may deny my employment. I spoke with some customers in the healthcare field who frequent my work and they said all of the local clinics, the local hospital and the nursing homes hire from the school. And we do all our clinicals with these local facilities. I decided to bite the bullet and do the program or I'm looking at not going back to school for 4+ years because of our location/finances (just bought a house, nearest accredited program 1.5 hour drive) It's a stressful decision to make. But we are still accredited through the state and can sit for the NCLEX, and they have articulation agreements with many online RN-BSN programs who accept our coursework! So I am feeling a bit more confident. Wish me luck!

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I went to a school where it did not renew its accreditation halfway through my schooling. They were phasing out the program and bringing in a traditional bachelor program.

I haven't had any problems with finding employment and I know other students from the same program haven't either, nor have problems getting in to a BSN completion program. I'm from Montana though so they are a little smaller. I think you'll be fine if you plan on getting your bachelor degree from an accredited program.

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I went to CCCC, just up the road from you. They were not nationally accredited, either. It has not caused me any problems at all. I moved out of state as soon as I graduated, have had no trouble getting jobs and am working on my BSN in another state. Has not affected me at all. Sandhills has a great reputation and you should have no difficulties, especially if you plan to stay in the area.

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You say that the nearest accredited program is 1.5 hours away. Just to let you know I commuted 1.5 hours to my BSN program. It is doable if you set your mind to it.

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While I agree with you calioter3. Driving 3 hours everyday seems like a good way to make me miserable. I am selfish in that sense and don't want to give up Being able to relax, and have time to do the things I want to. Plus I don't think my car can push much further than that í ¾í´• And after the previous comments and speaking with local professionals I'm really confident about this school! Thanks for everyone's help!

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Specializes in Medical ICU.

I wouldn't worry about it. Your nursing license is what makes you an RN, which you will obtain upon passing your NCLEX.

I, too, went to a non-CCNE/AACN accredited school. I graduated with my ADN, and I got a job out of state in an ICU, Level I Trauma Center & teaching hospital, with a sign on bonus.

Some day you will read about this again and think, "Gosh. I remember being so worried about this for no reason!"

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