[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]One of the most important steps when researching or [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/resources/applying-to-nursing-school/”]applying to nursing school[/hen-ui-link] is ensuring the program is accredited.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]At the national level, three major agencies accredit nursing programs:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.acenursing.org/accreditation#:~:text=When%20a%20nursing%20program%20holds,Board%20of%20Commissioners%20(BOC).” target=”_blank”]Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing[/hen-ui-link] (ACEN) accredits all nursing programs, from practical to doctorate degrees.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.aacnnursing.org/ccne-accreditation” target=”_blank”]Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education[/hen-ui-link] (CCNE) accredits only bachelor’s and master’s degree programs.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The [hen-ui-link href=”https://cnea.nln.org/” target=”_blank”]National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation[/hen-ui-link] (NLN CNEA) accredits all nursing programs, including internationally, from practical to doctorate degrees.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The ACEN and CCNE have accredited more than 2,000 nursing programs in the U.S., ensuring they meet industry standards.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Learn what nursing accreditation is, why it is important to your education and career, and how to find out whether your nursing school or program is accredited.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-flex gap=”xl” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-flex gap=”xs” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Popular Online RN-to-BSN Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ color=”subtext”]Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]School Accreditation Explained[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nursing accreditation is the process of an independent, nongovernment peer review of a nursing program or school by an established authority. During this peer review, the accrediting organization reviews all aspects of a program to determine if its graduates are qualified to pass the [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/resources/nclex/guide/”]National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN)[/hen-ui-link] exam and practice as nurses.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]An accredited nursing program and school immediately distinguish themselves from other nursing education institutions. Accreditation ensures that a nursing program has undergone rigorous scrutiny, meets national quality standards, and prepares nursing students for their professional roles in the workforce.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Nursing Accreditation: Process and Criteria[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Schools must follow certain processes and meet certain criteria before applying for accreditation. The peer reviewers consider the school’s curriculum, teachers’ qualifications, and other factors related to the teaching quality. The accreditation process judges:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The faculty, staff, and students[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The school’s mission and vision statement[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Curriculum[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Resources[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Institutional commitment[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The outcomes of the program[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Schools maintain nursing accreditation after the initial accreditation through periodic reviews, self-assessment, and ensuring they follow industry standards.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The ACEN’s initial nursing accreditation lasts five years. Once the ACEN grants continuing accreditation to the institution, it lasts eight years.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The ACEN reviews the nursing program at the end of the accreditation to decide whether it meets the accreditation standards. Additionally, the ACEN surveys each program annually through a reporting process.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]CCNE accreditation lasts five years. The organization then sends continuous improvement progress reports to nursing programs and schools to fill out every three years.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]The Importance of Accreditation for Nursing School[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Accreditation allows students to be confident and secure that they will graduate from a program eligible for licensure. Many employers require applicants to graduate from an accredited nursing program. Students attending accredited programs can transfer credits, apply for financial aid, and obtain nursing licensure.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]If your [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/degrees/best-online-nursing-programs/”]nursing school or nursing program[/hen-ui-link] is not accredited, you may not have the same opportunities for growth in your field.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]If a school lacks accreditation or [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/articles/what-to-know-if-your-nursing-school-loses-accreditation/”]loses accreditation[/hen-ui-link], students risk:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Difficulty transferring credits to other schools.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Qualifying to sit for [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/resources/nclex/things-to-know-about-the-nclex-exam/”]the NCLEX [/hen-ui-link]if they live in a [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.ncsbn.org/665.htm” target=”_blank”]state that requires national nursing accreditation[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Difficulty transferring your license if you move to another state.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Losing out on government grants and loans.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]To become a certified [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/careers/advanced-practice-nursing/”]advanced practice registered nurse (APRN)[/hen-ui-link], you must graduate from an accredited program.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Accreditation also signals to financial aid institutions and prospective students that the nursing program prepares students for career success. It also protects employers and the public by ensuring that graduates meet the national professional standards required to work in their field.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What Accreditation Should a Nursing School Have?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nursing schools and programs receive accreditation from national and regional organizations. The process of school accreditation requires careful evaluation of the entire institution.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Accrediting boards typically consist of:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/careers/nurse-educator/”]Nurse educators[/hen-ui-link] and other leaders[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]School presidents and program leaders[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nursing school deans[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Financial officers[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]These professionals evaluate curricula, program data, faculty, and program resources.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Regional accreditors include:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Higher Learning Commission (HLC)[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Northern Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What Accreditation Should a Nursing Program Have?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nursing programs that receive accreditation from an accredited college or university hold accreditation from the ACEN, CCNE, or NLN CNEA. (Other organizations accredit [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/nurse-midwife/best-online-nurse-midwife-programs/”]nurse-midwifery programs[/hen-ui-link] and nurse anesthetist programs.)[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The accrediting bodies’ standards are very closely equivalent, and there is no difference in nursing program quality — they all meet the same federal standards.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ class=”text-primary-900 not-prose pt-8″]How to Tell if a Nursing Program is Accredited[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Students can find a nursing program’s accreditation status in the course catalog, on the school’s website, or in the school’s nursing brochure. After a nursing program applies for accreditation through the ACEN, the ACEN requires the nursing program to show its accreditation status publicly.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]CCNE-accredited programs can choose whether or not to publicly disclose their accreditation status. The CCNE explains what to include in a public disclosure statement on its website’s [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.aacnnursing.org/CCNE-Accreditation/Resources/FAQs/Accreditation-Disclosure-Statement” target=”_blank”]Public Disclosure FAQ[/hen-ui-link] section.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]NLN CNEA-accredited programs can also choose to publicly display their accreditation status. How to display the logo is explained in the [hen-ui-link href=”https://image-res-platform.s3.amazonaws.com/cc12ee87/files/uploaded/NLN%20CNEA%20Accreditation%20Handbook%202023-ba8485f6.pdf” target=”_blank”]NLN CNEA handbook[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]If you cannot find your school’s or program’s accreditation status, the Department of Education provides a [hen-ui-link href=”https://ope.ed.gov/dapip/#/home” target=”_blank”]searchable list of school accreditations[/hen-ui-link]. You can also search current and past listings [hen-ui-link href=”http://www.acenursing.com/accreditedprograms/programsearch.htm” target=”_blank”]from the ACEN[/hen-ui-link] and [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.aacnnursing.org/CCNE-Accreditation/CCNE-Accredited-Programs” target=”_blank”]the CCNE[/hen-ui-link] by name or program type.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Frequently Asked Questions About Nursing Accreditation[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What is the best accreditation for nursing schools?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Properly accredited nursing schools meet the highest standards for training.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Standards and programs can vary for many reasons, but generally, the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.aacnnursing.org/ccne-accreditation” target=”_blank”]Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education[/hen-ui-link] accredits bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, while the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.acenursing.org/accreditation#:~:text=When%20a%20nursing%20program%20holds,Board%20of%20Commissioners%20(BOC).” target=”_blank”]Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing[/hen-ui-link] (ACEN) and the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA) accredit all nursing programs.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What does it mean if a nursing school is regionally accredited?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Most nursing schools are also regionally accredited. Regional accreditation also requires schools and programs to meet rigorous quality standards.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Why is nursing school accreditation important?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nursing school accreditation holds nursing education to the highest quality standards, with public health at the center of the accreditation process.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What does it mean if a nursing school is not accredited?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]If a nursing school is not accredited, students may have difficulty transferring credits to other schools and may be unable to sit for the NCLEX exam. You may also have difficulty transferring your license if you move to another state or lose out on government grants and loans.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item][/hen-ui-accordion]