question about accreditation

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Hello,

I am not sure if this is posted in the right forum.

I have read many posts but never really posted anything. I have recently graduated and passed my NCLEX. I am looking into RN to BSN/MSN programs. I have found several online programs, but when I called the Kansas state board of nursing they told me they don't accredit any online BSN/MSN programs (i.e. University of Phoenix, Western Governors,etc). Meaning that if I attend these programs, and later on I decide I want to apply for my Nurse Practitioners license they won't accept my credits.

If that is the case then why are these programs so popular? Does anyone from Kansas know anything about this? I live close to Missouri and thought about applying for my Missouri license if they accept them.

Thanks in advance for any help.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

I would be wary of any program that was not accepted by any state board. Why not just find an accredited program and not take any chances?

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I agree. Make SURE they are fully accredited otherwise it's money and time down the drain. There is a "technical school" here that's pretty popular and two co workers went there to work in radiology. They are not able to use the credits do do anything. The school isn't accredited.

I'm not sure about your area but I know my community college offers BSN programs for those who are licensed already. It's only a year and quite inexpensive and they have a good rep, good pass rates, etc. Nationally accredited as well.

Congrats on passing your NCLEX btw and getting through school!

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Specializes in ICU, PP, Psych.

I am looking into RN to BSN programs as well. From my understanding, state boards do not accredit nursing programs. I believe there are two accreditation programs in the US. Degrees from schools with either of these accreditations will be honored by another school with either of the same accreditations. The accreditations come from Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Accreditation/index.html and the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission (NLNAC) http://www.nlnac.org/home.html. This website has some basic but helpful information as well http://www.onlinenursingdegrees.org/programs/accredited.html.

If you find something else out that I have missed here, please let me know! I am looking at starting the University of Texas at Arlington on-line RN to BSN program. It is CCNE accredited and very reasonably priced. They have a BSN to MSN option as well.

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Specializes in Hospice.

I go to a school called Weber State University which has on online RN to BSN program. They are very affordable, even for out of state students (it is in Utah). Also, the previous poster was right, accreditation is not done by the BON. Did they actually tell you that a degree from those schools would not be accepted, or did they say those schools weren't accredited by them? Good luck!

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The OP states the Kansas does not recognize ANY online programs, and wonders why these programs are so popular. Obviously, other states do accept these programs, and many, many nurses are happy with them.

Best wishes in finding what you need! AND you may want to consider that license in Missouri!

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what would you expect to see an improvement in?

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.
Hello,

they don't accredit any online BSN/MSN programs (i.e. University of Phoenix, Western Governors,etc). Meaning that if I attend these programs, and later on I decide I want to apply for my Nurse Practitioners license they won't accept my credits.

.

The fact that the Board of Nursing doesn accredit any online programs does not mean that no schools will accept the credits. Those are 2 different things/processes. The Board of Nursing usually has nothing to do with whether or not a particular school will accept credits or not. Most Boards only certifies that the graduates of entry level programs can be licensed or not. It's a different type of accreditation than what you seem to be concerned about. That may be why they said they don't accredit any online BSN-MSN programs: that's not their job.

I'm not from Kansas and don't know the Kansas situation -- but I suspect there is some confusion about the use of the term "accredit" and that you may not have a clear understanding of the different processes at work here. If you want to know whether or not a particular school will accept the credits of an online school, talk to that particular school.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I think up you need some clarification.

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There exact words were "The state of Kansas does not recognize any degrees from online programs unless they are on the approved list of schools" Then they showed me where to find the list.

I go to a school called Weber State University which has on online RN to BSN program. They are very affordable, even for out of state students (it is in Utah). Also, the previous poster was right, accreditation is not done by the BON. Did they actually tell you that a degree from those schools would not be accepted, or did they say those schools weren't accredited by them? Good luck!
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I posted the exact statement. They did not tell me I could not attend those programs. They just do not recognize the degrees obtained by them.

I think up you need some clarification.
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Specializes in Med surg, LTC, Administration.
what would you expect to see an improvement in?

What do you mean?

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