Should I attend a non-accredited nursing program?

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

Dear Nurse Beth,

Would it be a waste of time to go to a non accredited nursing program? Or does it not make much of a difference. My plan is to get my ADN at a non accredited school because the school is not far and then get my BSN at an accredited school online. Bad idea? I’m almost done with my pre reqs.

Dear Almost Done,

It's not necessarily a bad idea, it all depends. I would be more concerned about a non-accredited for-profit nursing program than a non-accredited not-for-profit nursing program. 

I would avoid the prior. Many for-profits are costly and sketchy, and lack of accreditation is a red flag.

On the other hand, some community colleges have excellent reputations and programs, but do not have the funds to hire the required number of doctorally prepared faculty required for accreditation. Look at the whole picture- find out their NCLEX pass rate, for one.

Next find out if their classes/credits are transferable to the BSN accredited school. Sometimes community colleges and universities have an articulation agreement to facilitate student transfer.

Lastly, make sure you can get a job in your area with an ADN.

So find out these key things, and you should be good to go. Congrats on getting your pre-reqs done!  

Best wishes,

Nurse Beth

[londonflo]

On 11/1/2020 at 2:42 PM, Nurse Beth said:

On the other hand, some community colleges have excellent reputations and programs, but do not have the funds to hire the required number of doctorally prepared faculty required for accreditation. Look at the whole picture- find out their NCLEX pass rate, for one.

Is the number of doctorally prepared faculty a new ACEN requirement for an ADN program? As of 2 years ago (when I retired) the criteria was for Master's prepared faculty. Accreditation is expensive but important for the students. All aspects of the educational program are evaluated including financial support, program evaluation for program improvement, NCLEX rates (as you said) and employment rates post=graduation. If a student is considering a state-approved (and not on probation status) school another important stat is employed graduates.