Does it matter if you graduated from an unaccredited nursing program if you get a BSN

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I am about to graduate school from an unaccredited nursing program...and I noticed a trend that most hospitals now want you to graduate from a NLN accredited nursing program. Will it matter if I graduated from an unaccreditied nursing program if I get a BSN from a CCNE accredited program?

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This would most likely depend on where you are looking for a job. Not all employers are concerned about your education. Even in today's economy, most are interested in the status of your license.

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Yes, it does matter where you are looking for a job, but in NYC it seems to be the gold standard in every hospital

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I've heard it all goes back to your ADN. If it is unaccredited then there will be issues. It doesn't matter if your BSN is an accredited.

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Are you sure about that? I mean how would they even know where you graduated from if you just show them a transcript saying you graduated from the school you got your BSN from

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
Are you sure about that? I mean how would they even know where you graduated from if you just show them a transcript saying you graduated from the school you got your BSN from

I wouldn't lie on a resume or application, and that would definitely be fudging the truth. And they will know it! For example, let's take me: I got my ADN/RN in 2008, BSN in 2010. A check of my RN licensure will show that I received my initial RN license in 2008, not 2010. If I left off my ADN/RN info, that would look mighty strange. Not a good idea.

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Are you sure about that? I mean how would they even know where you graduated from if you just show them a transcript saying you graduated from the school you got your BSN from

Here's a link to an article about credited vs non credited.

http://explorehealthcareers.org/en/issues/news/Article/260/Accreditation_Matters_Part_II_Consequences_of_Attending_a_NonAccredited_School

Highlights

What are some the consequences of attending a non-accredited school?

You may not find a job in your profession. Depending on the profession and the state you live in, you may have difficulty finding a job. Some employers will not hire you unless you attended an accredited institution. If you are enrolled in a non-accredited school, talk to students who graduated recently and ask if they were able to find a job.

You may not be able to attend a four-year or graduate school. It is in your best interest to attend an accredited institution if you plan to further your education. Your acceptance to a four-year or graduate school could be denied because the institution may not recognize courses taken at a non-accredited institution.

You may be wasting your time and money. If you graduate from a non-accredited school and find out you cannot obtain employment, you will have lost valuable time and money to pursue your dream of becoming a health professional.

You may face challenges repaying your student loans. Two thirds of students borrow to pay for college. If you are one of these students, you may have challenges repaying your student loans if you don't earn enough money or cannot find suitable employment. The increase in borrowing and loan default rates has caused the federal government to create regulations that help ensure that students are getting what they pay for in an academic program and can find a job once they graduate.

Looks like getting a job may be an issue (currently the military and federal government will only accept RN's from an accredited program), being accepted to a BSN program may be an issue (even if you got your ADN you would probably have to retake most of your classes - not very cost efficient).

Today's job market is very very very tough. Trying to enter from a college without accreditation would be even more difficult then entering with just a ADN from an accredited college. I would definitely do thorough research about my possible issues before I start such program.

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CCNE accredits BSN schools and it's a well respected accrediting agency. NLN is also highly respected but I think they accredit ADN/ASN programs. I read this in a nursing magazine about a year ago. You may want to verify as things change.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

BSN programs can also have NLNAC accreditation. My BSN program had both NLNAC and CCNE.

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I guess my next question is does experience wash away the fact you obtained your license from an unaccredited program? Perhaps I would be able to find employment in another area before moving back to NY.

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
Are you sure about that? I mean how would they even know where you graduated from if you just show them a transcript saying you graduated from the school you got your BSN from

*** It will be obvious. The date you got your license will be two or more years before you graduated from the BSN program, They will look at those dates.

As for does it matter, well it depends. For example the VA will only hire graduates of accredited nursing programs. They will accept an accredited BSN even if the ADN was from a school without accreditation. Some places, like California BRN only look at the program that you got your basic pre-licensure education in and what you have earned since then is irrelevant for licensing purposes. For example a nurse who earned an ADN through Excelsior after a certain date is not eligible for licensure in Ca even if a BSN or MSN is earned later (I know Excelsior is NLN accredited.

There is no hard and fast rule. Each employer will have their own view on this.

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*** It will be obvious. The date you got your license will be two or more years before you graduated from the BSN program, They will look at those dates.

As for does it matter, well it depends. For example the VA will only hire graduates of accredited nursing programs. They will accept an accredited BSN even if the ADN was from a school without accreditation. Some places, like California BRN only look at the program that you got your basic pre-licensure education in and what you have earned since then is irrelevant for licensing purposes. For example a nurse who earned an ADN through Excelsior after a certain date is not eligible for licensure in Ca even if a BSN or MSN is earned later (I know Excelsior is NLN accredited.

There is no hard and fast rule. Each employer will have their own view on this.

I spoke to someone from the BRN in CA and was told that they look at all education when applying for initial licensure/endorsement. I was told that as a BIG hint.

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