NLN Accreditation vs Non NLN Accreditation?

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Specializes in CNA, CMA, EMT-I.

Hi all,

New to the boards here at Allnurses.com and have a question regarding accreditation. I have been researching NLN's website, as well as my BON state website but can't seem to come up with a clear definitive answer. Maybe Im just not looking in the right places.

We are a military family who PCS's (moves) approx every 3 years. I am interested in a starting a nursing program (ADN) near me to become an RN. One of the few school's in my area that offer ADN is currently a "candidate" for NLN accredidation but has not yet rec'd.

My question I guess is...If I receive my ADN thru this school, pass NCLEX-RN and receive my RN license - and then something happens that this school does not receive the NLN accreditation (NLN's website clearly states just because a school is a candidate does not mean the school will receive accreditation in the end) what happens to my RN License? Will it automatically be revoked for all students who attended that school? Will other states say they can not hire me as an RN because the school I attended was pending accreditation at the time but did not receive therefore my RN is not worth the paper the license was printed on?

Just worried - worst case scenerio - what would happen to me and all other current or alumni RN students if accreditation did not go through.

I would love to attend a traditional school (CC or University) but with the military, we are never in one place long enough to do a 4 year program, and most CC's have a 2 year waiting list. If I get on someone's waiting list the minute we arrive at a new duty station, by the time my name comes up, we will be getting ready to move again.

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Specializes in Anesthesia: Peds, General, ENT, Trauma.

I don't think anything will happen to your license if you graduate and pass the NCLEX.

I graduated from a non NLN school. I'm not an expert, notice I said not! But my understanding is that NLN is an accreditation above and beyond the schools' accreditation to offer an RN degree.

I ran into one small problem with an employer that wouldn't accept nurses from a non NLN program until they had been in practice for a year.

Other than that I don't think there are any practical differences. However, I would think that a NLN approved program should prepare you a little better perhaps?? Not really sure.

I hope this is helpful and doesn't confuse you too much.:yeah:

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Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.

It doesn't make a difference. The only accreditation you need to worry about is by the state board of nursing. There is a non-NLN accredited nursing program near me and their grads have no problems finding jobs after graduation.

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

The previous poster is correct that NLN accreditation status doesn't have a bearing on RN licensure. In terms of licensure, what matters is that you graduate from a State BON approved education program and pass boards.

NLN accreditation used to be considered the gold standard for quality nursing education programs. Not so much anymore. The process of obtaining NLN accreditation is so overwhelmingly time consuming and expensive that some schools have simply chosen to forgo it. Others seek accreditation from an alternate source.

The program you are considering may be too new to have obtained accreditation. (I believe that at least one graduating class must take boards and have a certain pass rate before accreditation is granted.) So your school may or may not be accredited during your time there. The only ramification I know of graduating from a non-NLN accredited is that some graduate (Master's Degree) programs may not accept you.

There are many indicators of a good quality program that have nothing to do with a survey by an outside agency. What are the criteria for acceptance? How satisfied are the current and former students? What do they indicate are the strengths and weaknesses of the program? What are the qualifications of the faculty? Are the library resources adequate? Where are clinicals held? Are these reputable facilities? Does the program impose an artificial "exit" exam? If so, what happens if you fail the exam? What is the drop-out (and/or fail-out) rate of students? What percentage of students pass boards on their first try? (This should be greater than 85%). What kind of job placement is offered for student externs and graduates? How does the tuition compare to other local schools? What kind of financial aid and/or work-study programs are available?

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Specializes in ER, ICU cath lab, remote med.

Well, I know that the AF requires it's nurses to graduate from an NLN accredited BSN program. I also know that the universities in my state require you to have graduated from an NLN accredited BSN program to apply to graduate school. I know you're doing an ADN so my concern for you would be if you decide to pursue your BSN at some point, I wonder if the RN-BSN programs would require your ADN to be NLN?

I have heard rumors of hospitals wanting your school to have NLN accreditation but I bet this is driven by the job market. Being in the military (or married to mil.) is tough when you're trying to finish school (I know!). So you gotta do what you gotta do to finish your degree. If that means taking your chances with a non-NLN school, maybe at least check to see what their pass/fail rates are on NCLEX. I did this when choosing a school and all it took was filing a short Freedom of Information Act request to the state BON requesting the recs on the schools I was interested in. Although these numbers can be tweaked by schools that require you to pass an exam to even get authorized to test for your license...but that's another story.

Good luck!

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Specializes in CNA, CMA, EMT-I.

CVSICU, Michigan RN, Jolie & Lucky1RN -

Thanks all so much for the information you gave. I was under the assumption that NLN was a governing agency over all of the states, and if a program did not receive NLN support/accreditation, somehow it would negatively affect your license.

Thanks again for setting me straight, and for all your helpful info on additional criteria to base my decision on. Some of which I had not thought of too ask/research :yeah:

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Hi ... im sorry but can anyone explain to me what BON is? does that apply 2 NY state? im just confused :confused:

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BON=Board of Nursing. So, yes, New York has one, as does every state.

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Specializes in cardiac, ER, Peds, Med surg, ICU, CCU.

I have heard that a nurse may not work for the federal government or the indian health services (IHS) if that person did not graduate from a NLN accredited school. Does anyone have any information either proving or disproving that? I am currently attending a school that is not accredited nor will be accredited before I graduate and I want to continue on to be a FNP. Will this affect my education opportunities as well?

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I have heard that a nurse may not work for the federal government or the indian health services (IHS) if that person did not graduate from a NLN accredited school. Does anyone have any information either proving or disproving that? I am currently attending a school that is not accredited nor will be accredited before I graduate and I want to continue on to be a FNP. Will this affect my education opportunities as well?

That is correct the accreditation must be recognized by the Dept of Education, and can be confirmed here opm.gov

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This conversation came up in another thread (former Saint Vincent's schools in Queens and Staten Island, new owners and now "Saint Paul's"), and it was pointed out that some RN to BSN programs require one to have graduated from an NLN accredited school. Though one assumes an AACN (American Association of Colleges of Nursing) may suffice.

Was also pointed out that some employers will not hire nurses whom have not graduated from an accredited program.

Being as all this may keep in mind it takes several years to build up the data required by both the NLN and AACN to evaluate programs. Factors such as board passing rates, how many grads of the program find work and feedback from clinical settings on said nurses all weigh in.

It is not unheard of for a program to loose then become reinstated. Indeed the NLN's website gives (or used to anyway) status of programs that are in danger of loosing, have lost or been reinstated. Know in the NYC area Long Island College Hospital School of Nursing lost their NLN status awhile back,but now they seem to be reinstated.

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Specializes in Trauma, Burn, Crticial Care.

You want NLN accrediation....

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