Perspective on Accreditation

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I was contemplating attending a school for my BSN that is both nationally accredited and CCNE accredited but not regionally accredited. I was confused as to if this had much impact on my options in pursing further education (MSN, DNP etc...) so I called around to a few different schools including George Mason, Johns Hopkins etc... and I found out that in many (not all) cases regional accreditation of your BSN program is required.

For me that's a big deal as I am 100% sure I want to further my education and I wouldn't want to limit my options right off the bat.

Anyway I just thought I'd share my experience in case this was something anyone else was struggling with while finding the best school to attend.

Best of luck all!!

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

Yep, there just isn't an easy way around it. To get into grad school often means you have to put in the time and effort to compete with people at the university level, where GPA reqs are insanely high and the process is longer and more difficult. Yes, you can go to Excelsior or ITT Tech and have a thriving nursing career, but you will still be limited if you want to further your education.

There are many paths to nursing, but the desire for instant gratification and the fastest/easiest route can be detrimental to your future.

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Which school? I am familiar with the area and curious of which one it is.

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Specializes in ICU.

Yes, it needs to be regionally accredited so credits can transfer. Nationally accredited I found out doesn't mean a whole lot. It's the regional that you want.

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I was looking at Stratford in Falls Church it's a newer school and admissions are super friendly and enthusiastic. I really wanted to get around the waiting period of applications most Unis have....being a mil spouse who just found out we're moving to DC for two years. I actually am quite competitive GPA wise, not so much experience wise....guess I'll just have to work it all out b/c it seems regional accreditation for me is key.

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Specializes in ICU.

They are super friendly probably because they want students. My best friend is going to a school that is a for profit unaccredited school. First, she is paying double for her LPN what I am paying for my RN at a community college. Second, for some reason I can't get this through her head, she will have trouble finding a job and none of her credits will transfer. But she has it in her mind that she will have her associate's when she graduates with a LPN mind you because that is what the school has told her. School admissions people sometimes remind me of used car salesman.

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Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care.

Good day:

I found out the hard way how much you loose when you go to a non accredited school. Back in 1984 I graduated from a tech school with a 3.98 GPA (93 credits, associate degree). Just last summer, I started working on my prerequisites for a RN program, and it turns out not one of the 93 credits will transfer due to lack of accreditation. Just having 3 credits out of 93 transfer would save me one class, 16 weeks of that class, approximately 96 hours of study time for just that one class, and approximately $1,000 for just one class. Follow the math.

Thank you.

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Mommy2Cru, I would love to private message you but I don't think I can since we are new users. I am from the DC area (not currently living there). Are you stationed at Joint base Bolling Anacostia? Possibly Fort Belvoir?

Anyways, there are many different schools in the area if you are willing to commute. I know of people commuting 1.5 hours one way just to work in DC. Please do NOT look into schools like Stratford or Chamberlain (one just opened close by in VA). In that area, it's competitive to work and getting a degree from a for profit school is a joke when there are so many amazing schools around.

In DC, there are your usual big name expensive schools like Georgetown University, George Washington University and Catholic University, which are all super expensive. There are also two universities within DC that are less known, Howard (a HBC) and Trinity Washington (a women's college).

You are probably close to Northern VA if you are looking at Falls Church so there's choices for you there too. Both Marymount and George Mason (a state school) have excellent nursing programs. I am pretty sure these are both 2 years programs if you come in with completed pre reqs. Their tuition is reasonable too. I know many grads from there who had no problem finding employment.

Finally, look at University of Maryland. They have two locations, one in Baltimore and one in Shady Grove. Shady Grove is closer to DC so consider applying there. This is also a two year program if you have completed pre reqs. I am pretty sure they have some clinicals in DC too.

Most of these schools will not put you on the wait list if your GPA is competitive like you say. Also, university of Maryland LOVES out of state applicants. Sorry for the short novel, good luck!

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They are super friendly probably because they want students. My best friend is going to a school that is a for profit unaccredited school. First, she is paying double for her LPN what I am paying for my RN at a community college. Second, for some reason I can't get this through her head, she will have trouble finding a job and none of her credits will transfer. But she has it in her mind that she will have her associate's when she graduates with a LPN mind you because that is what the school has told her. School admissions people sometimes remind me of used car salesman.

(The "admissions counselors" at the proprietary (for-profit) schools basically are used car salesmen. Most of them work on a commission basis. They will say whatever the person wants to hear in order to close the deal.)

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Wow Thanks for all the great info BusyBSN! My husband is going to be stationed at Coast Guard HQ in DC. Now that I'm opening up to other options I am going to have to try and pick an area to live in that will be central and commutable to all of those schools so I can go wherever I get in :) I knew about the big name schools in the area but hadn't given the two schools in DC any thought...I will have to look into them. University of Maryland Shady grove sounds like a great option and I will definitely put in an application in the window. That's actually the biggest bummer about it all, we didn't know where we were going till all the windows closed thus the wait till the next window. I have always known I prefer to go to a reputable school but its so hard to swallow knowing I may have to stay put with our son and finish my education when my hubby gets stationed elsewhere. At any rate we all sacrifice a bit for our goals so that's just what it'll have to be :) I would love to PM with you also...not sure how many posts one has to have but I will definitely give it a try after a few more posts on my end. Good luck to you as well...where are you going or hoping to attend?

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Ouch! So sorry to hear that pmabraham. That is definitely not a situation I ever want to find myself in!! Thank you for sharing your experience and best of luck on your journey!!

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