How does Accreditation affect the Michigan Nurse who wants to relocate?

elkpark · Mar 9, 2015

The "good" accreditations are general academic accreditation by the regional accrediting body (in Michigan, that would be the Higher Learnng Commission (HLC), and nursing accreditation, which would be either CCNE or ACEN (either of those is equally acceptable).

People go to school in one state and practice in others all the time. That should not be an issue (esp. with proper school accreditation).

Nurse2b_87 · Mar 9, 2015

The "good" accreditations are general academic accreditation by the regional accrediting body (in Michigan, that would be the Higher Learnng Commission (HLC), and nursing accreditation, which would be either CCNE or ACEN (either of those is equally acceptable).
People go to school in one state and practice in others all the time. That should not be an issue (esp. with proper school accreditation).

Thank you so Much, I just wanted to make sure my ducks are all in a row before I get "in too deep". I've heard stories of people leaving town to practice and can only do so much because that state didn't recognize their school's accreditation.

So let me make sure I understand....as long as the school is approved by the State's BON....AND....is REGIONALLY accredited, I shouldnt have any issues?

Last question is ACEN & NLNAC the same?

elkpark · Mar 9, 2015

The NLNAC changed its name to ACEN a year or so ago.

Regional general academic accreditation and BON approval should be sufficient -- but, since each state BON sets its own standards, there aren't any guarantees. Some states have problems with Excelsior and ISU's online programs, even though they are appropriately accredited and approved, because of the structure of the programs. However, that shouldn't be a problem with a traditional B&M program.

However, I would really encourage you to make sure you attend a CCNE or ACEN accredited program. Although that is not required for licensure in any state, most academic programs for further your nursing education and career require that you be a graduate of a CCNE/ACEN accredited program, and a growing number of employers will only hire graduates of CCNE/ACEN accredited programs, including some of the most desirable healthcare employers in the US, and I expect that trend to continue (i.e., more employers will require accreditation for hiring).

Re: your earlier comment about having found some programs that aren't state-approved, what do you mean by that? Prelicensure nursing programs have to have BON approval in order to legally be able to operate. What nursing programs have you found that aren't state BON approved?

Nurse2b_87 · Mar 9, 2015

You have been such an amazing help to me!!! I am so thankful!!

I did some research for like quick start/jump start LPN programs in Mich, I found some they were continuing education programs, but didnt count toward any college credits...then I stumbled upon the BON list for LPN, ADN and BSN programs and found some of the smaller continuing education schools or programs weren't on there. I cant remember the names of the schools, but they were mostly those "few week courses" (similar to an 8 week CNA course). May have been 12-16 weeks or something like that. I dont know the names because the less validity I found, the more I steered away...but Yeah they're out there and very misleading if you dont know which questions to ask.