I graduated from a non-accredited Nursing school and now wish to get my BSN......

Nurses General Nursing

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Hi,

If a RN graduated from a non-accredited school and now wishes to get their BSN what are there options? Often times students don't know the importance of accreditation until they have already graduated from a diploma program or ADN program. However most BSN transfer programs I have seen require graduation from an accredited diploma or ADN school. Does anyone know of a BSN transfer program or programs that do not require this? Does anyone know of any other options. It is hard for me to believe that someone who is a practicing licensed RN with experience can not continue their education toward a BSN because their original nursing school was not accredited. Please help. Thanks!

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kind of odd imo, maybe its different in other states but as far as i know, you can't even sit for the nclex if you didn't complete coursework from an accredited institution. that was the big problem with keiser back in the day, people were throwing their money at this (very expensive) school, and at the end, couldn't even sit for the exam. my best guest is just research a ton of schools and find one that will accept you based simply on your licensure

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Specializes in ED, Pedi Vasc access, Paramedic serving 6 towns.

Was the school accredited when you did go there? As the other poster said I don't think you can sit fo the NCLEX if they aren't!

Honestly the best bet would be to contact local RN-BSN programs that you wish to attend and ask them, as strangers on the internet could on speculate. We don't have the answers.

Annie

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Specializes in Psychiatric RN.

Like you said if you are a practicing RN I am sure there is a way forward. Contact the schools you want to apply to and speak to an admissions counselor or student advisor. Schools that were prevously accredited will sometimes lose accrideation for small things like admitting too many students one year or adding something new to the cirriculm. And the loss of accreditation is usally temporary. It doesnt necessarly reflect on you as a student especially if you could pass the NCLEX, get and keep a job as an RN after the fact. Some people think of unaccredited schools as shabby basment setups but that is not the case. Just call the schools. You got this!

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There are a bunch of old threads and articles addressing your issue. Try to Google it.

https://allnurses.com/online-nursing-schools/completed-non-accredited-912463.html

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

For the record ... some of the previous posters are confusing "accreditation" with "approved by the State Board of Nursing." A school can be approved by the State Board of Nursing and its graduates can sit for the NCLEX without being approved by either of the 2 national accrediting agencies for nursing (CCNE and ACEN).

The OP should contact individual schools that interest her to see if she has any options at that schools. Some schools will not accept the credits from a non-accredited school for a transfer student, but will accept a graduate who has passed the NCLEX and who has been successful on the job into their BSN programs. Some will give such students a provisional admission for a semester to show they can meet their academic standards -- and then accept them as a regular student after having a successful first semester.

Another option is to go to another program that is not accredited. They will often accept students from unaccredited programs. Also, some of the for-profit schools might be willing to accept someone from a non-accredited program.

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

It depends on the type of accreditation you are talking about. I went to a community college that accredited by the state, not NLN or other such organization. I could have gone to any school I wanted to to an RN-BSN program (and I did). If you can sit for e NCLEX and your state BON licenses you, you should be able to go where you want for your BSN

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Specializes in Urgent Care, Oncology.
For the record ... some of the previous posters are confusing "accreditation" with "approved by the State Board of Nursing." A school can be approved by the State Board of Nursing and its graduates can sit for the NCLEX without being approved by either of the 2 national accrediting agencies for nursing (CCNE and ACEN).

You posted this and yet I still see a comment confusing accreditation and BON approval.

Again for the folks in the back, a nursing program can be state BON approved which allows you to sit for the NCLEX and licensed in your state but that does not mean it is accredited.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
Also, some of the for-profit schools might be willing to accept someone from a non-accredited program.

Chamberlain requires schools to be recognized by the Department of Education at the very least, so that might not work.

WGU (a non-profit) could be an option: RN to BSN | Online Nursing Bachelor's Degree Program | WGU

It doesn't say anything about your RN education being accredited.

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Specializes in LTC.

That sounds like a head ache.

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical/Float Pool/Stepdown.

This link may clear up some of the confusion...

Nursing School Accreditation || RegisteredNursing.org

Hope you find an accepting school especially in this volatile "nursing shortage"...smh...

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Specializes in Case Manager/Administrator.

Education | NCSBN

Why do most Boards of Nursing approve nursing programs?

Program approval is an integral part of the state licensure process because it assures standards are met, whereas national nursing accreditation assesses the quality of nursing programs from a national perspective.

When you go to https://www.ncsbn.org/12_ULR_table_adopted.pdf it reveals

Graduation or eligibility for graduation from a Member Board approved RN prelicensure program.*

* Member Board approved also applies to states in which the nursing program approval is done through another state agency such as the Commission

on Higher Learning.

The requirements for eligibility to take the NCLEX and to get a license/registration are determined by the board of nursing/regulatory body (BON/RB). If you are interested in information about eligibility and licensure/registration requirements, you should contact the BON/RB where you wish to practice

This information comes directly from NCSBN.

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