Non-accredited schools

If I'm not mistaken, you can graduate from a school that is not accredited, BUT you most likely will not be able to take the NCLEX. However, this may vary from state to state. It would be best to check with your states BON.

what happens if I'm not able to take the NCLEX? Will that affect my job opportunities?

Registered Nurse (RN)/License Practical Nurse (LPN) LICENSURE BY EXAMINATION - Apply for licensure by examination if you have never taken and passed a nursing licensure examination, with a score and educational preparation acceptable to the Florida Board of Nursing. In order to qualify for the examination, you must:

Be a graduate of a practical nursing program for the preparation of practical nurses to qualify for the Practical Nurse examination or general nursing program for the preparation of professional nurses to qualify for the Registered Nurse examination; review the approved Registered and Practical Nurse Training Programs or

Successfully complete courses, which are equivalent to a practical nursing education, in a professional nursing program to qualify for Practical Nurse examination based on nursing education.

Applicants who are Graduates of Foreign Programs should read applications instructions having your nursing education evaluated by an approved Credentialing Agency.

If the program you are interested in is on the approved list, then you shouldn't have any problem taking the NCLEX in Florida. http://www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa/nursing/lst_trainingprograms.pdf

If you are unable to take or pass boards you can't be a nurse.

one more question. is it true i can not go any further in my schooling as a nurse unless i go to an accredited school?

one more question. is it true i can not go any further in my schooling as a nurse unless i go to an accredited school?

That may be true. Some colleges and universities require that applicants to their BSN completion and Master's Degree programs graduate from accredited basic nursing education programs.

It is important to know why the programs you are considering lack accreditation. It may be because of a deficiency in the curriculum, a low pass rate on NCLEX, or it may be something as innocent as a new program which has not yet established a track record for NCLEX pass rates.

The schools should be forthcoming with you as to this information. If they are not, I would definitely look elsewhere!

I have an answer here. If the school is recognized by the Board of nursing, you can take boards, regardless if accredited or not. Many nursing schools are not accredited by NLN. The problem comes when you want to transfer to another school, like if you earn an ASN and want to get your BSN, then many schools will not accept school work from an unaccredited school... so silly I think, since the school is acceptable to sit for boards, and many schools are not accredited like they once used to be. ( too much red tape I hear to keep up the accrediation status) This does not however, mean you will get any less of a good education. It simply means the school complys with the state and board regulations. They generally do not pay the high fees and go through the strict on site surveys to acquire additional accreditation.

Thanks everyone for the help. Wow, that kind of makes me angry that someone who is ignorant to the fact that if you go to a school that isn't accredited you may not be able to further your education after all that hard work! I'm glad I have everyone on here to help me out. I guess I better look at the accredited schools only. There just isn't that many really :-(

DON'T QOUTE ME! This may not make sense But i was told by a person in the program that it is accredited only in the state of Florida. So I guess it is not nationally accredited and in that case not worth it. If we are talking about the same cc, I would not go there. I not trying to down the school. It's a great school but some programs are not all up to speed. They also have a waiting list out the ying yang(butt). Just really look into it before you commit!

PM me I'll tell more and give you more schools you can check out.

moonielove

Another point I would like to make since I recently ran into this problem. If you move to another state that state may not recognize the school and therefore not license you in that state. Not all states but it was my situtation (my school was accreditied, so no problem). Just something to think about for the future.

I'm moving to Pensacola Florida in a few months and none of the community colleges seem to be accredited for a R.N.(2 yr.) program. If I go to a college that isn't accredited is that bad? Will I not learn the skills I will need?

Thank you,

Sonja

I was unaware that they were not accredited--which were you looking at? I know okaloosa -walton cc is accredited in niceville--well, let me know and good luck.

I was unaware that they were not accredited--which were you looking at? I know okaloosa -walton cc is accredited in niceville--well, let me know and good luck.

i was looking at pensacola junior college. the one in niceville is a little too far.

This is just my opinion but I would never never consider a school that was not regionally accredited by one of the six regional accreditors. You will absolutely have trouble if you try to transfer credits should you want to obtain your BSN and MSN. I have been the last 6 months researching accreditation and nursing programs all over the country. Accreditation is very necessary to continue your education.

Also you need to consider laws in other states concerning your education. You may not stay in Florida for the rest of your life. Please do research your decision carefully. This is a lot of money, time, and heartache wasted if you pick the wrong school.