Is Nursing School Accreditation Important?

In a nutshell, accreditation is the process of ensuring quality. Before purchasing a product, people want to know whether it is safe to use. Nursing accreditation ensures that all nursing education programs meet the same high standards.

The higher education accreditation process arose from a desire to ensure the consistency and quality of academic programs at educational institutions. Though seeking accreditation is voluntary, it is recognized as a pillar of US education. Nursing accreditation is a seal of approval that indicates a school can provide high-quality programs and education that will prepare students for a nursing career.

There are specific criteria that should be met regardless of which nursing school you attend or which online nursing programs you enroll in. These criteria include course content, faculty qualifications, and program quality.

• Completing a nursing course accredited by the governing nursing body indicates that the program has been quality-controlled, which ensures your competency as a nurse after graduation. Every year, nursing school accreditation ensures that nursing students graduate with all of the necessary training and tools for their nursing careers.
• National accreditation of nursing schools ensures that all nursing students receive the same high-quality education so that all patients can expect the same level of care regardless of where they live in the country.
• Accreditation of nursing schools is crucial for your nursing career and financial goals.

• Increases your chances to secure Federal Funds

The US federal government usually makes funds available to assist needy students with their nursing studies. The US Education Department will not give you federal funds to help pay for your nursing school if it is not accredited.

• Acceptance by any other Accredited schools

If you need to change schools or continue your education, most schools will reject credits from non-accredited programs, which means you may have to start from scratch. If you must transfer from one accredited school to another for any reason, the system will automatically transfer your credit history to the other.

• Gaining employment is Easier after Graduation

Completing an accredited program assures your potential employer that you are qualified for the position. Employers will notice your resume if you graduated from an accredited educational institute because they will know you have high-quality nursing education.

Furthermore, some employers only hire nurses who have completed accredited nursing programs. As a result, it is best to enroll in and complete your nursing course at an accredited nursing institution, as mistakes are not tolerated in the nursing profession.

The two main national general nursing education accrediting bodies in the US are;

• The Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredits only bachelor's and master's degree programs.
• The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing works with government agencies to help nursing students with finances, counseling, and job search services.

Graduating from an unaccredited program can have negative consequences.

Graduates of a non-accredited nursing program will not be permitted to sit for the NCLEX exam, which is designed to demonstrate that they are qualified registered nurses; as a result, they will have difficulty finding gainful employment. If their state approves a program, they may still take the NCLEX exam to obtain their nursing license.

Look for two red flags when researching nursing programs: either of which indicates that the program is not accredited.

• The program is extra expensive or inexpensive.
• The program promises you will complete your course in less than a year. Since a nursing degree involves several classes, this is practically impossible. However, there are accelerated bachelor’s degree programs that take approximately one year – the University of Colorado College of Nursing Accelerated BS in Nursing is a 12-monthly, highly intensive, fast-paced program with a rigorous schedule. A previous bachelor’s degree, science pre-requisites, and healthcare experience are required.

To find out if the nursing school you want to apply to is accredited, take the following steps:

• Pick up the school's brochures or visit their websites and read the description of the nursing programs they are offering.
• Search the Baccalaureate Program Directory and the Graduation Program Directory to find the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Programs
• Search Programs to find nursing program accreditation with ACEN accredits

To avoid wasting your valuable time and money, it is critical to conduct thorough research to determine a school's accreditation status before enrolling. You will then be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam, increasing your chances of getting hired.

The University of Colorado College of Nursing at Anschutz Medical Campus is a pioneer and leader in nursing accredited programs and education in Aurora and the surrounding communities. CU Nursing is accredited by CCNE for its baccalaureate, master's, doctor of nursing practice, and post-graduate APRN certificate. The master of science specializing in nurse-midwifery is accredited by the American College of Nurse-Midwives.

We cultivate a diverse community of students and faculty and staff. We have advanced learning methods and cutting-edge technology for you whether you want to get a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree in nursing.

Call 303-724-1450 for more information on Nursing School Accreditations, or come to:
CU Anschutz
Education II North
13120 East 19TH Avenue
3rd Floor-Room 3255
Aurora, CO 1080045