At the most basic level, accreditation is about quality control. According to the U. Department of Education , accreditation is meant to:. In nursing, the purpose of accreditation is to ensure that nursing education programs across the United States are being held to common standards of quality. This furthers the profession and greatly enhances the overall quality of care administered by nurses.
Accreditation helps to ensure that a nurse educated in Arizona and a nurse educated in Maine are able to perform their duties with the same level of competence. It is also important to highlight the difference between national accreditation and approval by a state board of nursing.
State board approval simply means that the state has approved the operation of the program, and in most cases, graduates of that program can sit for licensure or certification exams in that particular state. National accreditation means that the program adheres to common standards of quality set by a U. Department of Education approved agency. Most schools are proud of their accreditation status. They will post the information on their websites, or in their brochures or pamphlets. Check their websites and if you are uncertain, call them.
Nursing programs differ. You cannot tell if a program is accredited by comparing it to another one. Programs must be able to demonstrate through the candidacy, self-study, and peer review process its ability to meet the standards of educational quality specific to nursing education requirements set in the aforementioned Standards and Criteria.
What is an Advisory Review? What is the purpose of an Advisory Review? The purpose of an Advisory Review is to assist an ACEN accredited program in preparation for the continuing accreditation process. When can an Advisory Review occur? The Advisory Review agenda must be set by the nurse administrator.
What format will be used for an Advisory Review? The Advisory Review may be conducted in one 1 of three 3 formats: 1 teleconference, 2 video conference, or 3 in-person on a case-by-case basis. What is the cost of an Advisory Review? The fees do not include travel expenses e. A face-to-face Advisory Review is not a mock visit. How do I schedule an Advisory Review?
Complete the online Request for Advisory Review Form and e-mail it to [email protected] A staff member will contact you to discuss the Advisory Review. What does it mean to be an Observer on a Site Visit Team?
An Observer on a site visit team is a representative from a nursing program beginning its initial or continuing accreditation review process. What is the purpose of an Observer on a Site Visit Team? What type of preparation will an Observer be required to complete prior to the visit?
The individual accompanying the peer evaluators on a site visit team as an Observer will need to complete the ACEN Peer Evaluator online training prior to going on the visit. The person will be provided a login and will earn continuing education credits for completing the online training. What is the cost associated with serving as an Observer? The Observer is responsible for all expenses associated with a site visit e. It is customary for the host nursing program to meet the peer evaluators at the prearranged airport, train station, or bus station and transport the peer evaluators to the place of lodging.
Typically, it is possible to include the Observer in these arrangements. The prospective Observer should complete the Observer Intake Form. Both documents must be emailed to [email protected]. How long does it take a program to become accredited by the ACEN?
All programs seeking initial accreditation must first apply and be approved as a Candidate for ACEN accreditation. However, a program sets its own timeline and may request an onsite visit for any cycle after becoming a Candidate. This means the nursing program may complete the Candidacy process sooner than two 2 years. Candidacy is not accreditation. It is the first step for a nursing program seeking initial accreditation. Candidate programs need to complete the Candidacy process within two 2 years of notification of achieving Candidacy.
Completion of the Candidacy process includes writing the complete Self-Study Report and hosting an initial accreditation site visit. Approval of Candidacy does not guarantee that the program will achieve initial accreditation. The ACEN Board of Commissioners makes initial accreditation decisions in March and September of each year for programs who have been reviewed during the Fall or Spring accreditation cycle, respectively.
If initial accreditation is not granted, then students would not be graduates of an ACEN accredited program. Upon granting of initial accreditation by the ACEN Board of Commissioners, the effective date of initial accreditation is the date on which the nursing program was approved by the ACEN as a Candidate program that concluded in the Board of Commissioners granting initial accreditation. How often are programs reviewed by the ACEN after being granted initial accreditation?
A program is reviewed five 5 years after initial accreditation is granted. Once continuing accreditation has been granted, the program is reviewed every eight 8 years. In addition, a program is surveyed every year through an annual reporting process and could be reviewed periodically through the substantive change process. Is a program pursuing Candidacy and initial accreditation with the ACEN required to submit substantive changes?
Programs pursuing Candidacy and initial accreditation with the ACEN must notify the ACEN of changes that occur in the program during the entire candidacy process, since both eligibility for Candidacy as well as Candidate status is based upon the information provided in the Candidacy Application Form or the Candidacy Presentation.
For programs not listed on the website, contact the nursing program directly to determine by what agency ies they are accredited. Requests are processed in the order received; please allow up to 3 business days for research and response. Continuing accreditation with conditions is granted when a program is found to be in non-compliance with one 1 or two 2 accreditation standards. Continuing accreditation with warning is granted when a program is found to be in non-compliance with three 3 or more accreditation standards.
Continuing accreditation with warning for good cause could be granted when a program has not remedied deficiencies at the conclusion of its maximum monitoring period and the program meets all three 3 principles for good cause.
For example, if a nursing program is accredited for its associate degree, then that associate degree nursing program is accredited regardless of method of delivery, tracks, or program options. The difference comes down to what accreditation offers in terms of financial aid, using your credits, and career competitiveness.
If the program is approved by your state, you can still sit for the NCLEX exam and earn your license as a nurse. However, choosing a nationally accredited program can provide you with valuable advantages. Ultimately, the choice you make will be a personal one that considers your financial situation, plans for your education, and future career goals.
Finding a nursing school that meets your needs and aligns with your goals is the first step to starting your career. Along with your new knowledge on accreditation, our guide on How to Choose the Right School offers a list of other things to consider as you set out to make an informed choice.
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