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Discussion

School Accreditation

Hello all,

I have done a lot of wondering about school accreditation and how it would affect my potential, ultimate plans for continuing after graduating from a 2 year RN program to complete a BSN.

I am applying (and have been accepted by one school) to several 2 year programs that are not accredited.

One more thing. I do not plan to stay in CO after RN, so I will be seeking BSN from another state.

Just what does accreditation do anyway?? The school that accepted me is able to apply for accreditation in 2010 with NLN. I have no idea why not until then (Community College of Denver).

Thanks in advance for your time,

fuzz

Featured Replies

I would never waste my money on a school that isn't accredited. Many colleges will not accept transfer credits from schools that are not accredited, in fact, MOST won't.

I don't know about nursing, but many professions that require a degree of sorts before you take a state board, will not allow you to sit for a state exam unless you have your degree from an accredited instituation.

  • Expert

New nursing programs have to graduate a certain number of classes (3 classes, I think) before they can receive official accreditation by the NLN. They need to be able to show that their graduates can pass the state board and be successful in finding and maintaining employment. Understanding this requirement, most school WILL accept transfer credits from a new program in its pre*accredited years IF the school is successful in receiving the accreditation promptly when it is eligible. There may be a few exceptions, however.

Accreditation is NOT the same thing as "board eligible." State Boards do not require that a nursing school be accredited by the NLN in order for the students to be able to take the test. If they did, how could any new programs ever be established?

Attending a new nursing program is always risky because the faculty and curriculum are untested. However, it happens every day. If the educational institution is a good one, they are probably setting high standards and probably doing their best to create a good program. However, you have to remember that you are taking a bit of a risk that the program will have problems. You'll be one of the "guinnea pigs" who will be attending the program as they run it for the first few times and while they are still "working out the bugs."

For some people, attending a new program is the right decision. For other people, it is not.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

llg

The school I am attending just recieved their renewal for accreditation. It was quite the grueling process and interesting. The staff works really hard to address all the points needed. The NLN actually came in and had a meeting nursing student body wide in an auditorium and asked the students questions and tallyed responses and addressed some of these with the staff. IT was a wonderful day the school was notified of their continuing accreditation and there were some "wet" eyes!

I know some of the universities I have been looking at for the RN to BSN require that one has graduated from an accredited school. So if you want to continue on, this is where I would make my prioritizations by looking where you are going in the future.

Also, my state BON is considering making the requirement for ADN's to achieve their BSN within 10y or face having their license revoked or suspended. Interesting.......so if this were to happen statewide it would take more on your part to earn your BSN.

Good luck!

most of the jobs I have seen that I would like to apply for require graduation from an accredited school

I have looked into four state university based RN to BSN programs in my area and NONE of them require graduation from an accredited program. As someone else pointed out, new programs need to graduate a class before they can be eligable for NLN accreditation. (you mentioned 3, I think it is just one, but could be wrong:) Also as mentioned, NLN accreditation has nothing to do with being able to take the N-CLEX.

Find out why they are not accredited. They may be new. Ask current and former students how they liked the program and how well it prepared them for their career. Non-accreditation could be a red flag, but not necessarily.

Best of luck to you:)

TL

Most jobs require graduation from an NLN accredited school. I would not waste my money on any program that wasn't.

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