If your nursing school or nursing program is not accredited, you may not have the same opportunities for growth in your field, financial aid assistance, or college credit transfers and nursing license as other nurses who attend accredited nursing programs. Actually, schools that struggle to meet accreditation goals often get additional federal, state and sometimes local funding to pay for staff and materials to help the school improve. What happens if my nursing school isn't accredited and why is accreditation of nursing education program important? The views expressed on this channel by either video or discussions do not represent medical advice. Student outcomes, including completion and retention rates. 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Has 11 years experience. 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. 5 Min Read. There are many non-accredited nursing programs (primarily private, for-profit programs). Nursing school accreditation is essential for several reasons. A four-year BSN averages $9,350 per year at in-state public colleges or $32,770 per year at private colleges. If your nursing school lost its accreditation and you have yet to complete your nursing program, then the best choice for you would be to try and transfer to an accredited nursing school. CCNE accreditation also includes site visits but relies more heavily on self-regulation in the form of peer reviews and self-assessments. She graduated from California State University, Sacramento in 2000 with a bachelor's degree in nursing. My classmates and I are the 1st class before the college could be accredited. The North Central Association Commission accredits AOA on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI), a division of AdvancED, the world's most trusted and recognized accrediting organization, representing over 34,000 schools. Managing your time is essential to being successful in nursing school. The CCNE uses more self-regulation through self-reflection and assessment while the ACEN follows a strict set of guidelines. The only problem here is that since it isnt accredited, they may not allow a full transfer of credits (or perhaps none at all). Accreditation benefits institutions as well. Specializes in PICU, Sedation/Radiology, PACU. Many employers require graduation from a school which has been nationally accredited while others are not as selective. The United States is facing a nursing shortage, stemming from retirements and an increased demand for health care services, and educating more nurses is the best way to address the issue head-on. In addition, a college or university may not recognize a diploma or credits from an unaccredited high school. Additionally, accreditation is not permanent and must be renewed periodically. The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). See our full. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site. The information represented on this channel is for general knowledge purposes only. So perhaps within a few weeks ormonths after graduation, they would get accreditation status and you could then schedule to take the NCLEX since you will have met the requirements. To assess the extent to which a nursing program meets accreditation standards. Privacy Policy. Nursing program accreditation isnt the same as the overall accreditation for your school, meaning that the accreditation of one doesnt automatically ensure the other. Has 12 years experience. Clearly if you've been licensed in two states, were hired as an RN, and have worked for over a year and half, your education is not worthless. compare benefits side by side. If not, this is a unique situation and perhaps the Wisconsin Nursing Board will have compassion on your class and allow you to take the NCLEX. Ultimately, the choice you make will be a personal one that considers your financial situation, plans for your education and future career goals. Accreditation offers students greater access to financial aid and can make applying for a nursing license or getting a job easier. Since there are many unaccredited programs, I'm sure there are some schools somewhere that will accept you. Has 51 years experience. For simplicity, the USDE process will be referenced . Thanks for your advice. For an institution with multiple nursing programs, nursing accreditation can also help ensure a level of consistency in the quality of education offered across its programs. 20,908 Posts. I will offer a few suggestions on how you may want to handle this going forward: Suggestion #1Perhaps the Board of Nursing will go ahead and accept your educational requirements even if the school isnt accredited yet, and allow you to take the NCLEX. Each of our programs is also programmatically accredited. Specializes in CRNA, Finally retired. i also agree that if you got screwed with your education, make it public so that others are aware and don't get screwed also. As with the CCNE, initial accreditation lasts up to five years. The American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) can also assist former students in locating information related to offsite storage of transcripts for schools that are no longer standing. This is only marginally related but there is a trend in my area where ADN programs are choosing not to renew their NLN certification. According to the State Board of Nursing in Wisconsin, this is what it says on their website regarding the educational requirements for licensing: Completion of high school or its equivalent and graduation from or completion of an accredited school of nursing approved by board (emphasis mine). Suggestion #4If Wisconsins state board wont accept your education, and if you cannot finish in a neighboring school by transferring credits, and if your school continues to get denied for this accreditation (leaving you with an essentially un-licensable degree), then your last option could be a lawsuit. Things nursing students have to juggle include: Math exams Med quizzes Large and small exams Clinicals Clinical paperwork Care plans Concept Maps Simulation labs Skills check off Certifications She currently works as a charge nurse in a busy outpatient primary care department. Little did I know then that the government only recognizes two accrediting bodies, and that regional accreditation wont cut it. (you need a BSN or you will be coverted to an LPN), "Will I be able to get my BSN and use my ADN credits towards the BSN degree if the ADN program wasn't accredited?". The best way to avoid any problems is to stick with schools accredited by the major national accreditation bodies, the CCNE and ACEN. Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN. If you are having trouble getting accepted into a Florida nursing school due to a below average GPA, SAT, or ACT score, here are two strategies which might help: 1) take your pre-nursing courses at your local community college then reapply later as a transfer student with an above average GPA, and, 2) get your Nursing Assistant or Practical Nurse Under the Higher Education Act, students are only eligible for federal student aid if they attend an institution that is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Notable reduction in resources for the program, including changes to faculty composition or size Second, check out student outcomes. For example, the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE), which provides oversight of California's private postsecondary education institutions, is a depository for many closed schools and former students can request official transcripts from the archives. Comparing and contrasting the ACEN vs. CCNE can help you gain a better understanding of the accreditation process and the similarities and differences between the two agencies. Quality of Curriculum Accreditation is an intense process for all involved the accrediting body as well as the school's faculty and staff. The program only will receive final accreditation once all the requirements have been completed. The practice of accreditation arose out of a desire to ensure a basic level of academic quality and consistency at colleges and universities. It ensures that a student's education is dependable, consistent, and safe! This accreditation committee supports the continuous self-assessment of national programs to ensure quality education is delivered to all nursing students. Subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to know about our daily giveaways from shoes to Patagonia gear, FIGS scrubs, cash, and more! Can you work as a nurse without having graduated from an accredited school? Double check this when you inquire. Step 1: Check the School's Website. Recognition is similar to accreditation and involves a multi-layered process to determine whether an accrediting agency is in compliance with requirements set by the USDE or CHEA. Significant changes in student enrollment. How does a school get back in good standing, or how long does it have until it loses accreditation altogether? ONE facility would not accept you because you didn't graduate from an accredited school. However, if you have no other option, and youve tried all of the other methods to get a license and you cant, then it might be a good idea to seek the advice of a local attorney. The process for maintaining nursing accreditation also varies slightly between agencies. This means that a college or university can be accredited as an institution but not have an accredited nursing program. One part of the official definition of a "diploma mill" is that the organization does not have accreditation. Your nursing credits may not transfer to other schools, you may not be as qualified or prepared to take the NCLEX exam, you may not be eligible for federal financial aid and you may have more difficulty getting hired. (See our What is a degree mill article to learn about "degree mills" or "diploma mills".) The issue surfaces any time a school or a school district loses its accreditation or is threatened with its loss. 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. Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) candidates at Johns Hopkins must complete nearly 50 credits and 500 clinical hours to finish their master's program. This channel will cover topics from the pre-healthcare requirements such as TEAS testing, anatomy and physiology, and application assistance to seasoned healthcare education and travel nursing. Together, the ACEN and CCNE accredit thousands of nursing programs at hundreds of schools across the country. In some areas, accreditation may not matter with employers at all. There may be serious downsides. Thank you! Can't decide between nonprofit and for-profit nursing schools? My other degree was not a factor at all. These services include financial aid, counseling, and job search services. Nurse Suicides: Unveiling the Shrouds of Silence, RN Licensure: Get a Nursing License in Your State. By attending a school without the Title IV classification, you're basically gambling your money and your future. According to the website, the purpose of the CCNE is as follows: The CCNE approves accreditation for bachelors and masters nursing programs. Will I be able to get my BSN and use my ADN credits towards the BSN degree if the ADN program wasn't accredited? How many years in a row does a school have to be below 80 before it's placed on probation? The big if, is whether or not thestate boardwill accept your education thus far, since you were enrolled in a university that was actively seeking this accreditation. If the student never plans to attend a Master's or Doctoral degree program, then it may not matter if the school is regionally or nationally accredited, as long as he or she can sit for the NCLEX-RN exam. RN Licensure: Get a Nursing License in Your State, Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACCJC), Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). Step 3: Check the CHEA or US Department of Education's Website. 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