NLN or CCNE exemption...

Published

Hi everyone...

I am graduating an ADN course from a private school in Dec. While the school has had a variety of healthcare programs (LPN, MA, DA, RT, etc...), the RN program is fairly new. While it is approved by the state board of nursing, they have not received NLN accredidation and will maybe be only at candidacy stage by my graduation. I do not forsee CCNE status at all...

I wish to enter the Army Reserves with an ADN and become an officer by going through OBLC. Here's the trick, however:

The recruiter I spoke with stated that I would not be eligible because the school is not approved by NLN. I find it difficult to believe that in this era or recruitment shortcomings, that someone who wants to enlist would be turned away because of this. I also know that there is a way to overcome any obstacle, and that a waiver can be obtained for almost anything.

Has anyone encountered this or is able to offer any insight? Do I need to get approval from the office of the Secretary of Education (I thought I saw that as an option)...

Any help is, well, helpful...

Thanks,

Fast

Specializes in OR.

I encountered the same problem. I graduated with my ADN in California from a school that was state accredited but not NLN or CCNE. The Army absolutely would not budge. I went back to school and got my BSN from a CCNE/NLN school. It was a pain but a good motivator. Sorry for the bad news.

Specializes in ICU,CCU, trauma, oc med.
Thanks for the reply, Lifeafter40. I searched but couldn't find any other posts, I wish I could. I'll keep looking.

My eventual goal is to go active duty while attending the Army CRNA program, so, worst case scenario I could go through the accelerated BSN program at Univ of Phoenix. Expensive, but very quick and they are CCNE approved. I was just hoping to utilize some Reserve benefits while attending.

I am hoping someone will post with some way of getting a it waived. I know that waivers can be obtained for pretty much anything, just a matter of difficulty.

Someone gimme some good news...

:coollook:

You must have a degree that is either NLN or CCNE approved, otherwise no commission into army nurse corps. Do what I did and get your BSN through one, there are many NLN approved (I did Excelsior College) online and good for the Army. Then apply for CRNA school. I did through the Army when I had a couple of months left to graduate BSN because I had my ASN already. The good news is you need your BSN anyway before you can go active and go to CRNA school, so pick a school wisely that is approved and is in good standing for some time.

Just FYI folks, currently (as of around Dec2010 when I spoke to the Army & Navy) "there is currently no mission for ADN nurses" meaning you need a BSN, and not just any BSN- generally no online ones, especially ones where you arrange your own clinicals and the BSN program must be CCNE or NLNAC approved (make sure check this stuff out with your officer recruiter before you choose your program!).

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