Online ACEN nursing programs are an excellent choice for students who want to earn their degree while working, raising a family, and managing other responsibilities. This is because many college students find that schools more widely accept their credits if they attend an accredited program.
The accreditation process is completed by a Board of Commissioners that examines the Self-Study Report and Site Visit Report while reaching their independent judgment and accreditation recommendation. The Commissioners consist of nurse educators and nursing clinicians/practitioners.
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What is Accreditation?
The process of accreditation aids in ensuring that programs for nursing education fulfill academic requirements. In order to supervise nurse preparation programs, state boards of nursing collaborate with accreditors. Before taking the NCLEX exam and submitting an application for a licensure, most states mandate that candidates enroll in an accredited program.
The process of accreditation involves several steps:
- The program conducts a self-evaluation to identify how it meets accreditation requirements.
- A peer review team visits the program to assess evidence of compliance.
- The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education decides to grant or deny accreditation.
Programs are reviewed every eight years to ensure they meet the accreditation standards. For more information about the accreditation process, read the ACEN Accreditation Manual. The manual describes the accreditation standards, criteria, and policies on the accreditation process.
How do I find an Accredited Program?
Finding the ACEN accredited programs is best if you want to be an RN. An ACEN-accredited program at Youngstown State University will make it easier for you to gain employment, take the NCLEX exam in your state, and transfer to other programs.
The US and its territories have three program accrediting agencies for nursing schools: the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) recognizes it as a specialized accreditation agency.
Unlike CCNE, which only accredits bachelor’s and master’s level nursing programs and transition-to-practice programs, ACEN accreditation is available for all levels of nursing education. However, being eligible to apply for certification does not guarantee that a nursing program will be granted Candidacy status or later receive accreditation.
What is the Accreditation Process?
The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) is one of the biggest specialized accreditation agencies. It supports strengthening nursing education, nursing practice, and public health through accreditation of programs and transition-to-practice experiences.
Accreditation is a continuous process. Each program is inspected regularly to ensure it continues to meet the ACEN standards and criteria.
Eligibility for candidacy is based on several factors, including:
The program must complete a self-study report, host a site visit from peer evaluators, and present to the Board of Commissioners. The Commissioners will then review the documentation from steps 1 and 2 and decide independently on the program’s candidacy status. The Board of Commissioners comprises members approved by the Board of Directors.
What is the Scope of Accreditation?
A laboratory’s scope of accreditation is an official document describing a laboratory’s capabilities. The scope of accreditation lists a laboratory’s activities, including the types of tests that can be performed. It also explains how those activities are conducted and the methods used.
The scope of accreditation is a crucial element in the accreditation process. It helps the peer evaluators understand what is included and excluded in the assessment of a laboratory.
It’s important to note that the scope of accreditation is a document that needs to be updated periodically. If a lab wants to change its scope, it must request a revision from its accreditation body. Then, the peer evaluators will review the revised scope to ensure it meets the accreditation standards.
What are the Standards and Criteria for Accreditation?
To achieve accreditation, programs must comply with standards and criteria. These standards are set by an accrediting agency and are intended to provide a foundation of quality that institutions can build upon.
These standards are meant to encourage peer review, cultivate equity and opportunity, and continue to evolve in light of the realities of the healthcare industry. These goals support ACEN’s primary commitment to push nursing education forward, ensuring patients receive quality care from well-prepared, trained nurses.
ACEN also sets standards and criteria around interprofessional education, allowing students to gain experience working with other health professionals. This helps to prepare graduates for future careers in the field. This is important because other colleges and universities widely accept transfer credits from ACEN-accredited schools.
