So Confused!

[2nursehopefuls]

Hi all!

My husband and I both have plans on entering the nursing field, and I am trying to do some research on the paths to becoming a nurse. While researching, I have found out SO much I didn't know... the most important (as of now) being the difference between regionally accredited schools and nationally accredited. For the most part, the reviews on the NA schools has been up and down - mostly, people cannot seem to agree whether another school with take your degree as a transfer. Why? If you take the NCLEX, are you not a registered nurse? Why would another program (RN to BSN) not take your degree? Also, how does a degree from a nationally accredited school work in another state... would you just test and get registered in the state you graduate from, and then reapply for a license in another state (the degree not affecting the new registration).

I realize each state is different, so maybe these questions are too broad, though I am hoping not. We are currently living in FL, my husband having just separated from the military, and want to finish school and what not before we consider moving anywhere else. That is what brought up wondering how moving with an ASN degree would work... etc.

Thanks in advance for the help - I really, truly appreciate it!

[AllSmiles225]

I have found that many schools who are CCNE accredited (a national accrediting body) will NOT accept credits for continuing education if you hold a degree from a school WITHOUT a CCNE accreditation or another national accrediting body such as NLNAC.

In short, for the most part CCNE/NLNAC accredited schools will generally speaking only accept students with credits/degrees from other CCNE/NLNAC accredited schools. They do not usually accept credits/degrees from any school that is not nationally accredited REGARDLESS of whether it is approved by the state or not. Make sure you check out each school you are interested in to check if they are accredited by one of the national bodies. Although Florida state BON website contains information on each school that is approved by the state of Florida..it is not informative of those that are accredited by CCNE/NLNAC.

Choose your schools wisely..research every one of them. Good luck to you and your husband in your future careers & god bless your husband and your family for his service.

[llg, PhD, RN]

What you need to realize is that "educational credit" and "state licensing" are two completely separate things.

The states set minimal requirements that schools must meet in order for its graduates to be eligible to take the NCLEX and get a license. Those requirements are just that -- MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS. That is the lowest level of standards. It's also true that different states will have different minimum standards. So, a school that meets the minimal standards of one state may not meet the minimal standards of another state.

Professional organizations that accredit schools (either for government funding or for a single profession) usually set higher standards. So, a school might have it graduates eligible to take the NCLEX in their state ... but still not meet the higher standards of some of the accrediting agencies.

Schools set their own standards for admission and graduation -- and they set even higher standards. They often decide not to accept credits towards a degree if those classes were not taken at a school with equally high standards. The better schools will often accept only those academic credits that were obtained from a school with equally high standards. They look for evidence of high standards (such as accreditation by leading organizations).

So ... if you go to a school that does not meet the higher level of standards that some states and schools require, you may find yourself eligible for a license in one state -- but not in another state -- and your academic credits may not be accepted by another school whose standards are higher than the one you graduated from.

That's why it is best to go to a school that meets high standards (as evidenced by full accreditation) from the beginning. You take a big risk when you choose a school whose credits may not be accepted by most other schools or states.