What is an "Accredited" program?

[jackson82404]

What is the difference between an accredited program and one that is not accredited? Also, is there more than one type of accreditation?(I don't know if that's a word!) In other words, if a school says that it's program is accredited, do you automatically know who has accredited the program, or are there different types of accrediting. And how do you find out if a program is accredited?

Thanks

[llg, PhD, RN]

There are a variety of organizations and professional associations that "accredit" nursing schools. That means that the school invites the accreditors in to evaluate their program periodically. If the school meets the standards of that organization, the the school receives accreditation from that organization. Think of it as a stamp of approval. Some graduate schools will only accept students who graduated from accredited programs ... and some schools will not accept academic credits for transfer from non-accredited programs.

So ... if a school says it is accredited, that only tells you a little piece of the story. You need find out "accreditited by whom?" There are some shady organizations whose stamp of approval can simply be bought.

The two major (and reputable) accrediting bodies for nursing are the National League for Nursing (NLN) and the American Association of Collegiate Nurses (AACN -- though their accrediting arm has slightly different initials). Virtually all of the "good schools" are accredited by one of these two organizations. If the school's literature doesn't tell you this information, you should ask about it.

When a program is brand new, it has to wait a few years and prove itself before it becomes accredited. However, that first accreditation will be made retro-active to cover those first years IF the school receives accreditation within a certain amount of time.

Students who attend schools that are not accredited should keep in mind that their program has not been endorsed by the profession as a whole and that they are taking a bit of a risk. A reputable, respected institution of higher learning that is just starting a new nursing program has a good chance of being accredited because they will see to it that they meet the standards -- but there are no guarantees. Also, schools can lose their accreditation if they fail to maintain their programs at the required level of quality. I know of a couple of programs "on probation" because of poor performance.

I hope that helps,

llg

[NurseFirst]

So ... if a school says it is accredited, that only tells you a little piece of the story. You need find out "accreditited by whom?" There are some shady organizations whose stamp of approval can simply be bought.

I went to a college that was "unaccredited" when I first matriculated. We were assured, and it did come to pass, that it would be accredited--it was just too "new" yet to be accredited.

I would think that if a program is listed by your State Board of Nursing that it should be okay...but you can always check, both with the school and with the BON.

NurseFirst

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Excellent response from llg.

The grad school in area only accepts schools from NLN accredited schools. So while you may be able to sit for boards from an non-acredited schools, it's still in your best interest to choose one that is accredited.

Good luck!

[RN4NICU, LPN, LVN]

The two major (and reputable) accrediting bodies for nursing are the National League for Nursing (NLN) and the American Association of Collegiate Nurses (AACN -- though their accrediting arm has slightly different initials). Virtually all of the "good schools" are accredited by one of these two organizations. If the school's literature doesn't tell you this information, you should ask about it.

Side note for the OP.

The accrediting arm of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing is the CCNE, which is the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

Most reputable grad schools will accept either NLN (NLNAC) or CCNE (AACN) accreditation. As tweety pointed out, though, some schools do have a preference for one over the other, and it appears to be regional. If grad school is something you are planning on, you may want to look into the accreditation of your school and what accreditation your grad school of choice prefers. In other words, either is okay, but do make sure your school is accredited by one of the two. If you don't your REALLY limit your future options.

[llg, PhD, RN]

I went to a college that was "unaccredited" when I first matriculated. We were assured, and it did come to pass, that it would be accredited--it was just too "new" yet to be accredited.

I would think that if a program is listed by your State Board of Nursing that it should be okay...but you can always check, both with the school and with the BON.

NurseFirst

Actually, the state board approval is an entirely different process. A school can be approved by the board so that it's graduates can take the license exam -- and still not meet the standards of the accreditation agencies. That is the case with many schools.

llg

[Montessori Mommy]

The nursing school I will be attending in the fall is not NLN accredited. I paniced when I found out! I actually e-mailed the head of NLN to ask her about the situtation. She replied that up until recently the school couldn't be accredited beacuse it is a private, hospital-based Associates degree program. She used to live in my area, and assured me that the school is wonderful! She also assured me that there are a number of schools in my areas that offer BSN programs that will accept graduates of my school into their program. She did warn me that you cannot get a job with the Federal government (in a VA hospital or military) if your school is not NLN accedited.

Beth