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Discussion

Non-accredited RN program

Hi everyone! :)

So, I've recently been accepted to start an RN program, however, I've done my research first and discovered they're not NLN accredited. A friend of mine has recently graduated from the same school and was able to find a job successfully in the ER department. Are there nurses that were able to find jobs after completing the NCLEX and receiving their license? Do nurses that go to non-accredited schools have the same opportunities as those who DID go to an accredited school? It's reassuring to me that my friend was able to get a job after graduation, but I'm just nervous I wont be able to because of what I've heard about non-accredited schools.

Any information will be a big help! My family is so proud and I don't want to let them down...

-Gigi

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    • Featured Replies

    NLN doesn't exist anymore. The two national accrediting bodies for nursing schools is ACEN (which includes Associate degree programs), and CCNE (which only provides accreditation for BSN and MSN programs).

    There was recently a post started by a man who went through an unaccredited program, only to discover he was shut out of many hospitals (including the VA), as well as many graduate programs. He seemed very regretful. Learn from his mistake, and look for an accredited program.

    If you look at many hospital job postings, more and more are saying "completed an RN program from an accredited institution" or words to that effect. In answer to your question, no, non-accredited graduates do NOT have the same opportunities as those nurses who went to accredited programs.

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    • Experts

    Accreditation by ACEN or CCNE is voluntary, and has nothing to do with eligibility for licensure. No state requires it for licensure. However, as klone notes, a growing number of healthcare employers, including many of the most desirable healthcare employers in the US, will only hire graduates of accredited programs; the entire US military, the entire VA system, most major academic medical centers, many other "better" hospitals and healthcare employers, and the list is growing all the time.

    Also, most programs for further your nursing education and career require applicants to be graduates of an ACEN or CCNE accredited program. Even if you are thinking now that once you're done with school and get your license, you'll never, ever want to go back to school, I will tell you right now that many of us here started feeling the same way and, once we'd been in nursing for a few years and seeing what other career paths and professional opportunities were available with more education, changed our minds about that. :)

    While it is certainly possible to graduate from an unaccredited program and have a long, full career in nursing, doing so would be closing the door on a lot of future opportunities for yourself before you even get started, which, IMO, is a serious mistake. I can't see any justification or rationale nowadays for attending a program that isn't ACEN or CCNE accredited.

    Best wishes for your journey!

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    • Experts

    I attended a non-accredited associate degree nursing program. While I do not regret it, I also cannot recommend this educational route to anyone in good faith.

    I've attained nursing licensure in several states. I've since earned a BSN degree and am now enrolled in an MSN degree program at a regional state university. I've worked a well-paying job as a nursing supervisor for the past five years and will soon transition into a case management position with the flexibility to work from home most of the time.

    So, although the non-accredited associate degree nursing program worked out rather nicely for me, this path has turned out terribly for others. Therefore, I will not recommend it. Good luck to you.

  • Quote
    NLN doesn't exist anymore. The two national accrediting bodies for nursing schools is ACEN (which includes Associate degree programs), and CCNE (which only provides accreditation for BSN and MSN programs).

    There was recently a post started by a man who went through an unaccredited program, only to discover he was shut out of many hospitals (including the VA), as well as many graduate programs. He seemed very regretful. Learn from his mistake, and look for an accredited program.

    If you look at many hospital job postings, more and more are saying "completed an RN program from an accredited institution" or words to that effect. In answer to your question, no, non-accredited graduates do NOT have the same opportunities as those nurses who went to accredited programs.

    To clarify- the NLN (National League for Nursing) does indeed still exist as a professional organization- just not as an accrediting body (although there is some work being done right now on that particular issue).

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    To clarify- the NLN (National League for Nursing) does indeed still exist as a professional organization- just not as an accrediting body (although there is some work being done right now on that particular issue).

    Sorry, should have been more specific: the NLNAC doesn't exist anymore. They've changed their name to ACEN.

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    • Author

    Sorry for the late response! I have since been accepted into an accredited nursing program! I no longer need to worry. Thank you all for your VERY informative responses.

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    • Experts
    Sorry for the late response! I have since been accepted into an accredited nursing program! I no longer need to worry. Thank you all for your VERY informative responses.
    Congratulations...and thank you for posting an update to your situation. :)
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