My nursing school is not accredited.

[Mystery_nurse93]

has anyone graduated from a non accredited nursing school and pass the NCLEX-RN?

[Mystery_nurse93]

be honest

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

There are many non-accredited nursing programs (primarily private, for-profit programs). Students from these school graduate and pass the NCLEX all the time. However, the problem with a non-accredited school is not getting your license (as long as the school is approved by the BON). Many hospitals/facilities will not hire nurses who did not graduate from an accredited program. Many graduate schools will not accept students who earned their undergraduate degree from a non-accredited institution. So while attending a non-accredited school doesn't necessarily mean you won't get a good nursing education, it can significantly limit your career options down the road.

[MrChicagoRN, RN]

Illinois won't grant licensure except by endorsement, and only after at least 2 years clinical experience

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

Illinois won't grant licensure except by endorsement, and only after at least 2 years clinical experience

That is incorrect. Illinois won't grant licensure by examination if the applicant's program is not approved by the Board of Nursing. Programs may be approved by the BON, even if they are not accredited by the ACEN or CCNE.

For example, Danville Community College and Highland Community College are both approved by the Illinois BON, but they are not accredited institutions. Graduates of these programs can still apply for licensure by examination. Excelsior College, on the other hand, is not approved by the Illinois BON and these graduates are only eligible for licensure by endorsement after two years of prior employment, as you stated.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I completed an LPN-to-ASN transition program that lacked regional accreditation as well as ACEN accreditation. ACEN (formerly known as NLNAC) is the entity that accredits LPN, ADN/ASN, BSN, MSN and doctoral nursing programs.

A few years later I completed a CCNE-accredited online RN-to-BSN program at a school that has regional accreditation. I essentially 'laundered' my unaccredited ASN degree by using the coursework as transfer credit toward an accredited BSN.

Would I recommend attending a non-accredited program? Nope. It may create some unforeseen roadblocks, as well as problems that can be anticipated. However, this pathway worked nicely for my career goals.

[MrChicagoRN, RN]

That is incorrect. Illinois won't grant licensure by examination if the applicant's program is not approved by the Board of Nursing. Programs may be approved by the BON, even if they are not accredited by the ACEN or CCNE.

For example, Danville Community College and Highland Community College are both approved by the Illinois BON, but they are not accredited institutions. Graduates of these programs can still apply for licensure by examination. Excelsior College, on the other hand, is not approved by the Illinois BON and these graduates are only eligible for licensure by endorsement after two years of prior employment, as you stated.

You're right. Somehow I dropped that part from my post in editing.

Thanks for the correction

[Calalilynurse]

You can just pass nclex. It may requiring studying harder. There may be licensing or continuing education problems for BSN or MSN programs. Some jobs will not hire you some hospital s even have accredited schools they do not hire from based on preference.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

has anyone graduated from a non accredited nursing school and pass the NCLEX-RN?

Some states won't even let you take the NCLEX-RN if your school isn't accredited.

[AliNajaCat]

And some states (let's call them State 2s) might not grant you a license by reciprocity (endorsement) if you want to move there from State 1 that let you take NCLEX and have a license based on a degree from an unaccredited school there.

Yep, even if you passed NCLEX, some State 2s will not let you have a State 2 license if they don't like how you got it elsewhere. They don't have to, and it's not a given. So saying "just pass NCLEX" may not be the full answer.

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

Some states won't even let you take the NCLEX-RN if your school isn't accredited.

Again, it is the approval by the state's BON that matters. While every accredited school is also likely approved by the BON, not every unaccredited school is unapproved. There are no states that require applicants to graduate from a accredited school to sit for NCLEX, the requirement is that the school be approved.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Some states won't even let you take the NCLEX-RN if your school isn't accredited.

And some states (let's call them State 2s) might not grant you a license by reciprocity (endorsement) if you want to move there from State 1 that let you take NCLEX and have a license based on a degree from an unaccredited school there.

Not one single state in the union has a BON that requires nursing programs to be accredited. They all require approval to operate, but not accreditation. Nursing programmatic accreditation is purely voluntary.

Still, I would not recommend a non-accredited nursing program to anyone who wishes to enter the nursing profession.