Achieving excellence in nursing is a multifaceted endeavor. From the beginning, it is essential that the educational institutions that train nurses meet the highest academic and program standards to become accredited.
These standards are important for many reasons. They assure nurse students they are choosing a reputable institution, signal to hire medical organizations that graduates have a certain level of knowledge and skills, and are a large part of why accreditation is important in the education of nurses.
By earning an advanced degree, such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from an accredited institution, future nursing leaders can be confident they are being trained well and will be desirable job candidates upon graduation.
What Is Nursing Accreditation in Higher Education?
Making decisions and prescribing treatments that impact another human being’s health requires advanced training and skills. For this level of training to occur, instructional institutions must be held to the highest possible standard. Among the many reasons why accreditation is important in nursing is that it provides assurance that university nursing programs meet a benchmark of educational quality.
Accreditation is a voluntary process that universities seek from nationally recognized agencies such as the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The purpose is to certify that a university’s degree programs meet the standard for higher education in nursing.
By submitting for this process voluntarily and welcoming the scrutiny of an autonomous third-party agency, universities that achieve accreditation show they are committed to providing a high-quality education to their students and dedicated to continuing to grow and improve their nursing programs.
For prospective students, choosing an accredited institution can be a key factor. Accreditation is important both during the education process and afterward when nurse graduates seek residency placements or employment in medical facilities. Because employers often see accreditation as an indicator of quality education, nurses who graduate from accredited universities generally have improved hiring opportunities compared to those who graduate from non-accredited institutions.
The Standards of Nursing Accreditation
Multiple factors influence whether an educational program meets accreditation standards. Accreditation commissions consider a variety of key components to ensure programs are providing their students with the knowledge and skills to succeed. Some of these factors include:
- Faculty and staff experience: Complex education requires knowledgeable and experienced educators. Accreditation commissions consider faculty and staff credentials to ensure they are qualified.
- Course catalog, resources, and program mission: Each program teaches its students differently, uses a variety of resources, and has its own mission. Commissions look at each aspect to assess the overall quality of nursing education and a program’s integrity.
- Methods for nursing evaluation: Accreditation requires that nurses are fully and properly evaluated for both their theoretical knowledge and practical real-world skills. This requires programs to have clear plans for how they will evaluate and test their students’ capabilities.
- Student completion, retention, and NCLEX pass rate: A key factor in why accreditation is important is that high-quality nursing programs are able to retain talented nurses, help them complete their degrees, and prepare them with the skills to attain board licensure certification.
What makes accreditation so important in nurse education is that when a university passes accreditation, it exemplifies a well-rounded program that is able to produce highly skilled and capable nursing graduates.
Additionally, completing an approved nursing program is a key step in pursuing nursing licensing or the completion of board certification nursing exams. As nurses progress through their careers, they may need to continue their education as they seek senior-level roles, increased autonomy, or to work as primary care providers in states with full practice authority. The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties has called for changes to the licensing process. This means that in the future, all nurses may need a DNP degree from an accredited institution to become nurse practitioners.
Accreditation vs. Approval
All nursing programs must be board approved by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) to be permitted to educate nurses, but not all programs must be accredited. While many states do require programs to be both approved and accredited, not all states have that requirement, and some universities are able to offer nursing programs while being only NCSBN-approved.
Accreditation is a voluntary third-party, autonomous process undertaken by universities that strive to meet a benchmark of high-quality nursing education. Program accreditation is separate and distinct from program approval. It is also important to note that a program can be accredited and an educational institution may be accredited — and that these accreditations are separate. Nurses must be careful to ensure that the specific program they are entering is both approved and accredited in addition to the institution being accredited.
While it is not required in every state, accreditation can play a role in a nurse’s ability to relocate or find work nationwide. This is one of the many reasons why accreditation is important when choosing the right nursing program and university.
Nursing Accreditation Organizations at a Glance
Nursing accreditation applies to all types of nursing programs and specialties, and some commissions specialize in specific areas of nursing. The following are some of the main accrediting organizations.
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) works both nationally and internationally to evaluate all levels of nursing education. Recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) as a specialized accrediting agency, the ACEN is the leading organization that examines nursing programs, ranging from diplomas and associate degrees to baccalaureate degrees, master’s and post-master’s certificates, and doctorate-level specialization certificates.
Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation
One of the newest accreditation commissions, the Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA) was established by the National League for Nursing (NLN) and evaluates programs of all types, including distance learning.
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
A commission that handles general accreditation, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) is similar to the ACEN, but focuses solely on programs at the collegiate level. These programs include baccalaureate, master’s post-graduate advanced practice registered nursing certificates, doctor of nursing practice, and nurse residency programs. This allows the CCNE to focus on the quality of collegiate-level programs and invest in improving patient outcomes and the safety of public health.
Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education
The Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME) oversees the accreditation of midwifery programs in the United States. A prime example of why accreditation is important for individual specialties, the ACME is able to focus solely on the growth and development of midwifery education.
By handling certifications ranging from basic certificates to basic graduate nurse-midwifery, direct-entry midwifery, and pre-certification nurse-midwifery education programs, the ACME is able to ensure that midwives are being equipped with the skills to work in a variety of environments and provide comprehensive care.
Become a Trusted Leader in Nursing
The care that nurses provide has the potential to have lifelong effects on their patients. From achieving the best possible results for their patients to competing for positions in top hospitals to having faith in their own abilities and skills, there is a multitude of reasons why accreditation is important in nurse education.
By pursuing an advanced degree — such as Regis College’s online MSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice, which is accredited by both the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the New England Commission of Higher Education — graduates can rest assured they are investing in quality education.
The Regis College program is designed to position graduates at the forefront of the nursing profession. It features a choice of eight areas of concentration, including a Nurse Education concentration for those looking to teach the next generation of nurses.
Recommended Readings
How to Become a Family Nurse Practitioner
What Is Full Practice Authority for Nurse Practitioners?
What Is Integrated Health Care?
Sources:
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Home
American Association of Colleges of Nursing, CCNE Accreditation Process
American College of Nurse-Midwives, Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education
American Nurse, “Approval and Accreditation of Nursing Education Programs”
Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation, Home
Indeed, “ACEN vs. CCNE: What’s the Difference?”
National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties, “Reaffirming DNP: Entry to Nurse Practitioner Practice by 2025”Nursing Made Incredibly Easy!, “The Importance of Accreditation”