Is your DNP program accredited?

The first accreditation visits for the DNP start next month, and many more are scheduled over the next 18 months. The standards are worked out, and CCNE accreditors are being trained. My own University will be hosting a site-visit in early February.

I'd encourage you to ask the University where you are applying when their accreditation visit is scheduled.

You can find accredited DNP programs here:

http://www.aacn.nche.edu/DNP/DNPProgramList.htm

JP:

Actually, that is the list of DNP programs admitting students. Most of these are not accredited.

The accreditation visits started last month (October 2008), and only a small handful of these schools have had site visits yet. My own program is hosting the CCNE accreditation team in February 2009, and we were told that we were in the first dozen schools to be visited. CCNE is visiting the schools that have already graduated DNP students first, and then reviewing the newer programs. I have heard that the 'waiting list' for accreditation visits already extends to 2010.

JP:

Actually, that is the list of DNP programs admitting students. Most of these are not accredited.

The accreditation visits started last month (October 2008), and only a small handful of these schools have had site visits yet. My own program is hosting the CCNE accreditation team in February 2009, and we were told that we were in the first dozen schools to be visited. CCNE is visiting the schools that have already graduated DNP students first, and then reviewing the newer programs. I have heard that the 'waiting list' for accreditation visits already extends to 2010.

You have heard of this?

I have heard the opposite.

Where did you hear there is a waiting list?

For potential DNP students, be encouraged to apply.

JP:

Waiting list is an incorrent term (and I apologize for suggesting this). Rather there are many schools seeking accreditation visits, and CCNE is prioritizing the programs that opened their DNPs first.

I was speaking with a colleague (admissions director) at a DNP program that is enrolling its first class for January 2009 earlier this semester. They were informed by CCNE that as a new program that is only admitting their first cohort now, they would have their site visit in early 2010. CCNE is training their evaluation teams (none of the team of 5 visiting our program in February 09 have done DNP accreditation visits yet -- but they have visited BSN/MSN programs before). I was told that the priority was to accredit the programs that had graduate students already, and then those that were up-and-running next.

Again, I learned this from a colleague at another university 2 months ago. Developments likely have changed in these two months as more programs (and potential accreditation teams) are coming forth.

Potential DNP students: If a University's MSN's programs currently have CCNE accreditation, there are excellent chances that the DNP program too will earn accreditation. The faculty and administration for the two programs are likely the same.

I'm curious, what happens if your program does not receive accreditation. Do they hold off on giving out degrees until the program is accredited or do they distribute non-accredited degrees? If the later, what value does a non-accredited degree hold?

Tammy:

In the graduate nursing world, accreditation matters if you want to seek additional licensures (as a NP, CNS, etc). A graduate must have graduated from an accredited program to sit for advanced practice licensure examination. Since my university offers a post-Masters DNP currently, students are coming to us with APN certifications already. We do not plan to admit anyone to a BSN-to-DNP program until our DNP program is accredited. I am aware that other schools are admitting students to a BSN-to-DNP program with the likelihood that they will be accredited before the student graduates. My faculty is more conservative; we do not want to recruit or admit students to a program that 'might' be accredited. We want the ink to be dry before we share any curriculum drafts with individuals who are not already APNs. The soonest we would start a BSN-DNP program is for Fall 2010 [out site visit is Feb 09, the vote by the CCNE board would be spring 09, and I would start writing grants for additional scholarship support for Fall 2010 students].

Graduating from an accredited doctoral program is not essential to get a job. None of the PhD, DNS, or DNSc programs in the country have nursing accreditation. The DNP program is the first doctoral nursing degree to be accredited within nursing --- which explains why CCNE has been deliberate in the creation of accreditation standards, training of site visitors, etc.

Tammy:

In the graduate nursing world, accreditation matters if you want to seek additional licensures (as a NP, CNS, etc). A graduate must have graduated from an accredited program to sit for advanced practice licensure examination. Since my university offers a post-Masters DNP currently, students are coming to us with APN certifications already. We do not plan to admit anyone to a BSN-to-DNP program until our DNP program is accredited. I am aware that other schools are admitting students to a BSN-to-DNP program with the likelihood that they will be accredited before the student graduates. My faculty is more conservative; we do not want to recruit or admit students to a program that 'might' be accredited. We want the ink to be dry before we share any curriculum drafts with individuals who are not already APNs. The soonest we would start a BSN-DNP program is for Fall 2010 [out site visit is Feb 09, the vote by the CCNE board would be spring 09, and I would start writing grants for additional scholarship support for Fall 2010 students].

Graduating from an accredited doctoral program is not essential to get a job. None of the PhD, DNS, or DNSc programs in the country have nursing accreditation. The DNP program is the first doctoral nursing degree to be accredited within nursing --- which explains why CCNE has been deliberate in the creation of accreditation standards, training of site visitors, etc.

As I understand accreditation is a voluntary process administered by non-governmental agencies (legitimate ones are recognized by USDE such as CCNE and NLAN) by which institutions choose to have documentation to support the program meets minimum standards per the accrediting body.

In the accreditation world there are three types of programs: accredited programs by USDE recognized agencies; accredited programs by non-recognized USDE agencies and non-accredited programs. I understand that pre licensure students must possess accredited credentials by USDE recognized accrediting agencies to sit for certain certification boards and for all processes that require licensure. I understand that Ph.D. and DNSc programs have never been accredited, as both of these are research-based degrees and left to institutional standards.

I also understand that the DNP is not a research based doctorate--it is a clinical-based doctorate, such as the MD, DO, DDS, DMD, DVM, DPM, DC, OD, all of which, besides the DNP are accredited through various USDE recognized agencies. I still don't understand why the DNP is not accredited by many programs when the product is being offered, at least in a provisional format.

I still don't understand what value a non-accredited degree will provide to the holder on program completion. I also wonder, if program completion through a non-accredited program will serve as future barriers, such as obtaining an academic appointment or postgraduate position of any kind, where a doctorate from an accredited program is required.

Perhaps my MSN program has trained me to think about things too much...perhaps I don't rely on faith as much as I did before...maybe I have too much Irish in me and I'm too thick...but then again, I would think those of us that are proponents of the DNP concept and what it could-and will mean to the profession, would be concerned about negotiating a program without accreditation.

Here is some information from AACN:

http://www.aacn.nche.edu/accreditation/dnpFAQ.htm

. When will CCNE begin reviewing DNP programs for accreditation?

CCNE will begin reviewing DNP programs for accreditation during the 2008-2009 academic year. More than 40 DNP programs are scheduled for a CCNE on-site evaluation within the next two years. DNP programs must have had students enrolled for at least one year before hosting a CCNE on-site evaluation. Importantly, CCNE accreditation is not retroactive and is effective on the date the CCNE Board of Commissioners takes its action. Programs wishing to host a DNP on-site evaluation should notify CCNE of the term (Spring or Fall) and year of interest so the staff can provide appropriate guidance on scheduling. Programs are advised to schedule the on-site evaluation with CCNE at least 12 months in advance of the visit.

5. Which accreditation standards will apply to DNP programs?

In April 2008, the CCNE Board of Commissioners approved the amended Standards for Accreditation of Baccalaureate and Graduate Degree Programs. This document addresses all three levels of nursing degree programs within CCNE's scope of operation: baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral (DNP) programs. The 2008 standards will go into effect for all programs on January 1, 2009. Thus, any program hosting an evaluation or submitting a report to CCNE after January 1, 2009, will need to address the 2008 standards. (In addition, DNP programs hosting Fall 2008 on-site evaluations will need to address the 2008 standards because the 2003 standards do not pertain to DNP programs). All DNP programs should be developed in accordance with The Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice (AACN, 2006). In addition, DNP programs preparing nurse practitioners should be developed in accordance with the revised Criteria for Evaluation of Nurse Practitioner Programs (National Task Force, 2008). Programs are required to use these documents in accordance with the 2008 standards.