Accreditation serves to provide assurance that schools
and programs meet or exceed agreed upon standards and criteria.
The accreditation process in nursing requires a rigorous
self-evaluation by the program, an appraisal by respected
and competent peers, and a subsequent review and decision
by the NLNAC governing body. Periodic re-examinations are
required in order to ensure that standards and criteria
are being maintained, areas in which improvement is needed
are identified, and plans are developed for addressing needed
improvements. NLNAC annually published a list of programs
which continue to achieve an acceptable level of quality.
Ultimately, the public, the community, and the nation benefit
from educated nurses.
Accreditation practice is an examination of three major
aspects of program quality: resources invested, processes
followed, and results achieved. Such an approach starts
with a review and confirmation of the adequacy of resources
available to the program, including reasonable and dependable
expectations of its particular student population (academic
preparation, education goals, and socioeconomic status).
The program then sets program goals which reflect the expected
results of program efforts, given the mix of resources available.
The evidence is then compiled to confirm the progress which
is being made toward these goals over time. NLNAC then tries
to align results to program purpose, including expected
results in research and service as well as student learning,
depending on the purpose of the program and the parent institution.
Types of Nursing Program:
Baccalaureate Degree:
A degree program affiliated with senior colleges and universities,
leading to the baccalaureate nursing degree. Graduates are
eligible for licensure as a registered nurse, and employment
in a variety of inpatient care settings and ambulatory care
settings, including hospitals, community agencies, schools,
industries, home health care, and clinics. A baccalaureate
degree is required for additional preparation at the master's
and doctoral levels.
Master's Degree:
A program leading to a graduate degree with a major in
nursing offered by a senior college or university.
The master's degree builds on the knowledge, skills and
competencies of baccalaureate nursing education, and provides
for the attainment of advanced knowledge and speciality
nursing practice. Graduates are prepared to work in a variety
of settings and a variety of advanced practice nursing roles,
such as Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Practitioner, Nurse
Midwife, Nurse Anesthetist, or Nurse Administrator. The
master's degree is usually required for entry into doctoral
study.
Nursing Doctorate Degree:
A post baccalaureate nursing doctorate curriculum provides
for entry into professional nursing practice, and preparation
for initial licensure.
Graduates are prepared to practice within and across diverse
health care settings. This program is designed for the person
who holds a baccalaureate degree in another field.
Associate Degree:
A program usually affiliated with junior, technical and
community colleges, leading to the associate degree in nursing.
Some associate degree programs are found in senior colleges
and universities. Associate degree programs are usually
two years in length, and include course work in general
education and nursing. Graduates are eligible for licensure
as a registered nurse, and are prepared to practice in structured
care settings.
Diploma:
Usually a hospital-based program, with a course of study
of two to three years in length leading to the award of
a diploma.
There may be an affiliation with a junior or senior college
for the general education component of the curriculum. Graduates
are eligible for licensure as registered nurses, and are
generally employed in hospitals and long-term care facilities.
Practical Nursing:
A program one year in length leading to a diploma.
Programs may be found in hospital settings, vocational
settings, or junior and community college settings. The
graduate is eligible for licensure as a licensed practical
nurse or licensed vocational nurse. The practical nurse
functions under the guidance and direction of a registered
nurse.
For the student from abroad considering nursing, it would
be advantageous to include accreditation status as part
of your investigative process. By selecting an accredited
program, you can not only have confidence in the quality
of the program chosen, it will also assure prospective employers
of the quality of the education you have received. The choice
of program type should be made based on your goals, and
what type of nursing you want to practice. Additional issues
like time and finances will also play a part in the decision-making
process.
If you are already a nursing student and are considering
the possibility of taking one or two nursing courses in
the United States, it is essential that you consult with
your current faculty before starting your investigations.
Issues like transferability of credit for a particular course
need to be addressed, so that you can proceed with confidence.
Furthermore, your program may be one of those which already
has an established arrangement with a nursing program in
the United States.
For information about accreditation of nursing programs
and the current directory of accredited programs, see the
NLNAC web page at www.accrediting-comm-ninac.org.
Author
Carol Gilbert, PhD, RN
NLNAC Associate Director
