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Why Nursing School Accreditation Matters

MSN, RN, BA, CBC

8 Min Read Published February 21, 2023

What is Nursing School Accreditation?
Purpose
Importance
Accrediting Bodies
CCNE vs ACEN
Accreditation Process
Non-Accredited Nursing Programs

The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) evaluate nursing schools and programs in the United States. Each school or program must meet ACEN or CCNE standards in order to earn accreditation.

While there are other accreditation bodies for CRNA and midwife programs, this article will only cover the two main national accreditation bodies and dig into what they are and why they are so important.

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What is Nursing School Accreditation?

Accreditation is the process that evaluates nursing programs to determine if it is meeting specific state and national standards. According to the U.S. Department of Education, accreditation is meant to:

Assess the quality of academic programs at institutions of higher education.
Create a culture of continuous improvement of academic quality at colleges and universities and stimulate general raising of standards among educational institutions.
Involve faculty and staff comprehensively in institutional evaluation and planning.
Establish criteria for professional certification and licensure and for upgrading courses offering such preparation.

What is the Purpose of Accreditation in Nursing Programs?

The purpose of accreditation is to focus on the same standards and criteria across all nursing programs. This ensures that there is some level of sameness within the programs.

The accreditation process ultimately improves the quality of nursing education and keeps the curriculum up to date on current trends in advances in nursing and healthcare.

Accreditation continues to further the nursing profession and enhances the overall care provided by nurses.

Why Is it Important to Choose an Accredited Nursing Program?

While there are many important factors when choosing a nursing program, accreditation must be the first step, especially when applying to an online nursing program.

Non-accredited universities should be a HUGE red flag for all nurses and students. If you are unsure if the program is accredited, please check out this website to see if the school is listed.

Attending an accredited nursing program allows students to:

Receive federal financial aid
Transfer credits toward the program
Attend a graduate nursing program
Job market competitiveness

What Are the Main Accrediting Bodies for Nursing Programs?

The two main accreditation bodies in the United States are as follows:

The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

ACEN

The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), formerly known as the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, is an organization designed to support nursing education and ensure it is done in a safe, reliable, and consistent matter. According to the website, the purpose of the ACEN is as follows:

The ACEN is recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) as a specialized accrediting agency for nursing education programs located in the United States and its territories.
The ACEN is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) for nursing education programs in the United States and its territories as well as for international nursing education programs.
The ACEN accredits all types of nursing education programs, including clinical doctorate/DNP specialist certificate, master’s/post-master’s certificate, baccalaureate, associate, diploma, and practical nursing programs.
The ACEN accredits nursing education programs in secondary, postsecondary, and hospital-based governing organizations that offer certificates, diplomas, or degrees.
The ACEN serves as a Title IV-HEA Gatekeeper for some practical nursing programs and hospital-based nursing education programs eligible to participate in financial aid programs administered by the USDE or other federal agencies.

All levels of nursing programs are able to apply for accreditation through the ACEN. The nursing program must first apply for candidate status by paying a nominal fee and evaluating the following:

Faculty qualification
Program plan of study
Resources used in the program
Evaluation plan
Catalog of courses

If the program is approved, it will then have two years to complete the entire accreditation process to meet the complete list of ACEN standards. The program only will receive final accreditation once all the requirements have been completed.

CCNE

The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) is considered the voice of academic nursing in America and contributes to the overall safety of the public’s health. This accreditation committee supports the continuous self-assessment of national programs to ensure quality education is delivered to all nursing students. According to the website, the purpose of the CCNE is as follows:

To hold nursing programs accountable to the community of interest – the nursing profession, consumers, employers, higher education, students and their families, nurse residents – and to one another by ensuring that these programs have mission statements, goals, and outcomes that are appropriate to prepare individuals to fulfill their expected roles.
To evaluate the success of a nursing program in achieving its mission, goals, and expected outcomes.
To assess the extent to which a nursing program meets accreditation standards.
To inform the public of the purposes and values of accreditation and to identify nursing programs that meet accreditation standards.
To foster continuing improvement in nursing programs — and, thereby, in professional practice.

The CCNE approves accreditation for bachelor’s and master’s nursing programs. The CCNE evaluates programs based on the following:

Mission and goals of the program
Performance of program
Utilization of resources
Integrity of the program

Once accreditation is achieved through the CCNE, visits, self-assessments and peer reviews help maintain accreditation.

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What Are the Differences Between CCNE and ACEN Accreditation?

Both the CCNE and ACEN meet national standards with neither truly being better than the other. The CCNE uses more self-regulation through self-reflection and assessment while the ACEN follows a strict set of guidelines. Furthermore, the ACEN is an older organization and has accredited nursing programs longer than the CCNE.

The CCNE only accredited bachelor and master’s degree programs while the ACEN accredits all levels of nursing programs from practical to doctorate. Furthermore, the ACEN works closely with government agencies to provide additional assistance to nursing students which can be important. These services include financial aid, counseling, and job search services.

How Does the Accreditation Process Work?

In order for the ACEN or CCNE to accredit a nursing program, schools must provide information including,

Program objectives
Faculty qualifications
Individual course content
Program evaluation plans
Student retention rate
Student completion rate
NCLEX pass rate
Catalog of courses available to students
Resources utilized in the program

What Does it Mean if You Graduate From a NON-Accredited Nursing Program?

Graduating from a non-accredited nursing program can have some serious ramifications. While it is very difficult for brick-and-mortar nursing programs to function and not be fully accredited; it is often seen in online nursing programs. So, what does this mean for those students?

Students who graduate from non-accredited programs may have difficulty obtaining gainful employment
Students may have a difficult time transferring schools or earning an advanced degree
Students that graduate from programs that are not accredited, whether an ADN or BSN program, may NOT be able to sit for the NCLEX.

Interestingly, some states will let you sit for the NCLEX if the nursing program is non-accredited as long as it has been approved by the state board of nursing and it is allowed to operate. This is extremely rare and there are only severe hospital-based programs that fall under this category.

How to Spot Non-Accredited Nursing Programs

Look out for these 2 red flags while you are researching nursing programs — they usually indicate that a program is not-accredited.

The program is extremely cheap or extremely expensive.
The program promises completion in less than a year - non-accredited programs will boast about obtaining an online BSN in less than a year. Due to the number of classes a nurse must take, this is virtually impossible. Be skeptical of these programs.