Accreditation of Schools of Nursing

1. Accreditation of Schools of Nursing Betsy M. McDowell, PhD, RN, CNE October 2012 SC Organization of Nurse Leaders

2. Objectives To establish the value of accreditation of nursing education programs – for the individual nurse and for the nurse employer To identify the various roles of nursing service leaders in obtaining accreditation of a nursing education program To delineate issues that must be considered by nurses when choosing a nursing education program for their continued formal education

3. Why accreditation? Mandatory vs voluntary credentialing: • Individual nurses • Licensure • Certification • Nursing education programs • Approval • Accreditation

4. Why accreditation? Types of accreditation: • Institutional • Regional (public & private institutions – Southern Association of Colleges & Schools) • National (private & specialized career schools – Accrediting Council of Independent Colleges & Schools) • Program • NLNAC • CCNE • Specialized (ACNMAC & CANAEP)

5. Why accreditation? Nursing Education Accrediting Agencies: • NLNAC – all levels of basic licensure nursing education programs, including PN, ADN, diploma, BSN, MSN, doctoral • CCNE – baccalaureate and higher degree programs, including BSN, RN/BSN, MSN, DNP, plus nurse residency programs

6. Why accreditation? Accreditation standards: • Mission & governance • Faculty • Students • Curriculum • Program resources (human & physical) • Program outcomes & ongoing evaluation

7. Why accreditation? Accreditation specifics: • NLNAC – candidacy; self study; site visit; initial accreditation of 1st class & valid for 5 years; reaccreditation every 8 years • CCNE – candidacy; self study; site visit; initial accreditation possible before graduation of 1st class & valid for 5 years; reaccreditation every 10 years; mid-term reports required

8. Why accreditation? Benefits of accreditation: • Demonstrates quality of program & graduates • Self-evaluation of program leads to improvement • Assists with recruiting to program • Facilitates transfer of credits & acceptance into graduate schools • Required for some positions (Army N Corps) • Students eligible for financial assistance • Enables program to qualify for grants

9. Roles of Nursing Service Leaders Nursing advisory board members Consultants during all phases of accreditation process Written feedback/letters of support Host site visitors when in facility & assist in publicizing visit “Clarify/verify/amplify” during on-site visit Members of site visit teams (dual appointments)

10. Issues to Consider in Choosing a Nursing Education Program Student factors: • personal long-term goal(s) for returning to school, then type of program/degree required • learning style • available resources including fiscal & time • lifestyle changes inc. work • degree of family & social support

11. Issues to Consider in Choosing a Nursing Education Program Program factors: • approval and/or accreditation status • location of classes, delivery format, & any residency requirements • curriculum (both nursing & gen ed/cognate requirements ) & transfer of existing credits • length, both minimum & maximum • tuition, including available financial aid • caliber of graduates (NCLEX pass rates if pre-licensure)

12. Conclusions Questions? Thank you! Betsy.mcdowell@newberry.edu 803-321-5104