Online Schools For Nursing
Many people wonder if online schools for nursing are legitimate, and if an online nursing degree is accepted among the medical community.
To be fair, they are legitimate, and many are accredited through either the CCNE or ACEN, making them technically good choices. Just keep in mind that though they offer a decent degree, some employers or masters/doctorate level nursing programs do not look highly upon for-profit schools.
Your safest bet is to obtain an online nursing degree through a brick and mortar school that offers an online nursing degree.
When speaking to admissions committees about your nursing degree, youll find that while some dont look highly upon a purely online degree, others will recognize the schools esteemed accreditation, and see that your degree is valid.
Eastern New Mexico University
All Accreditations: HLC, ACEN, ACBSP, ASHA, CAEP, CSWE, NASMApplicable Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nursing , Master of Science in NursingTuition: $264$534 per credit hour
Eastern New Mexico University prepares students for professional careers through its high-quality education set in a diverse, affordable, and supportive academic environment. Their nursing program trains students on personal accountability, clinical judgment, and effective communication.
Franciscan Missionaries Of Our Lady University
All Accreditations: SACSCOC, ACENApplicable Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nursing Tuition: $535 per credit hour
A subsidiary of Our Lady of the Lake Hospital, Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University is a Catholic, nonprofit college with an emphasis on health education programs. Founded on the values espoused by Saint Francis of Assisi, this university offers nursing and other health-related degrees in a service-oriented environment.
Applicable Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nursing Tuition: $563 per credit hour
Vermont Technical College offers affordable tuition and an academic environment fostering excellence. Nursing students benefit from small class sizes and a career ladder progression model that result in higher than average rates of graduation and licensing exam completion.
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What Is Ccne Accreditation And Why It Matters For Nursing Students
May 05, 2021 | Nursing | Georgia Schumacher
As you research nursing schools, accreditation is bound to be a term youll encounter. So what is accreditation? Lets start with accrediting agencies. These are organizations that evaluate either an entire school or specific programs to assess factors like academic standards and commitment to ongoing improvement. If the expectations of the accrediting agency are met, that school or program is considered accredited. Organizations that focus on the entire academic institution award institutional accreditation. Those that focus on specific programs award programmatic accreditation.
Essentially, when a school or program is accredited, that is one signal of that institutions and/or programs ability to provide the education you need to pursue your goals.
What is CCNE Accreditation?
CCNE accreditation is something youll hear South University mention when we talk about our nursing programs and our programmatic accreditation. The first thing to know is that CCNE stands for the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. CCNE is a national accrediting agency focused solely on nursing programs. According to their website, CCNE assesses baccalaureate, graduate, and residency nursing programs to identify those that engage in effective educational practices.
Before designating any program as accredited, CCNE works to ensure that a nursing programs goals, mission statement and outcomes help prepare individuals to:
Top Acen Accredited Online Nursing Schools
We compiled this list by first gathering each and every online ACEN accredited online nursing program. Then, we researched why each school is unique. Finally, we ranked the list of schools by affordability. Keep in mind that cost per credit hour will vary based on which degree youre choosing and the total cost of a degree will vary depending on how much nursing education youve already completed to earn your RN designation. Wondering how to use this list? Either start here and click on a school to find out more about their nursing degree offerings or scroll down to see what makes that school special.
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Take The Next Step Toward Your Healthcare Future With Online Learning
Krystina is an RN with a varied background. She has worked on a telemetry unit, an allergy/immunotherapy clinic and is currently working in diabetes education, pursuing her Certified Diabetes Educator certification. She has traveled the long road to her bachelors degree she began her nursing career as an LPN, graduating from a local university. She pursued first her ADN, then BSN from Excelsior College.
Sources: 50 State Boards of Nursing, University Websites, U.S. Department of Education, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Ranking Methodology.
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Approval By Your State Board Of Nursing
Nursing programs also need to be approved by their states Board of Nursing. You wont be able to take the NCLEX exam for licensing if your program isnt approved. Something to keep in mind, however, is that state approval and national accreditation arent the same thing. Though all nationally accredited schools will also be approved by their state, its possible for a school to be approved but not accredited. The difference comes down to what accreditation offers in terms of financial aid, using your credits, and career competitiveness.
National Accreditation
- Prepares you for licensure and practice
- Allows you to sit for the NCLEX exam
- Qualifies you for federal financial aid
- Lets you transfer schools or apply credits to an advanced degree
State Board Approval
- Prepares you for licensure and practice
- Allows you to sit for the NCLEX exam
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What Is Acen Accreditation
ACEN accreditation refers to the nursing program accreditation provided by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, formerly known as the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission. As an organization, the ACEN seeks to support nursing education and promote safe, reliable and consistent nursing education. The ACEN offers accreditation to all levels of nursing programs.
ACEN accreditation evaluates the following components of a nursing program:
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Course catalog
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Evaluation plan
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Types of resources used
Once the ACEN approves an institution’s candidacy, the institution has two years to complete the process and ensure their nursing program satisfies all the ACEN requirements. Nursing programs may maintain their ACEN accreditation through regular checks and visits from the organization.
Differences Between Ccne And Acen
The main difference between the two licensing organization is the CCNE only accredits bachelor and masters degree level programs. ACEN accredits all levels of nursing programs from practical to doctorate. The ACEN also works more closely with government agencies, allowing them to provide student assistance programs. This includes financial aid, counseling and job search services.
Both have their own unique accreditation process, but both meet all national standards. One is not necessarily better or worse than the other. The CCNE uses more self regulation while the ACEN prefers to follow a strict set of their own guidelines. The ACEN is the older organization which means it has had more time to perfect its process.
Both agencies are constantly evaluating their own standards to improve the quality of nursing programs. Schools may choose either organization and may achieve accreditation as long as they meet all necessary requirements. They may even choose to switch between the two depending on the schools needs.
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Why Nursing School Accreditation Matters
The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education evaluate nursing schools and programs in the United States. Each school or program must meet ACEN or CCNE standards in order to earn accreditation.
Accreditation is the process that evaluates nursing programs to determine if it is meeting specific state and national standards. According to the U.S. Department of Education, accreditation is meant to:
- Assess the quality of academic programs at institutions of higher education.
- Create a culture of continuous improvement of academic quality at colleges and universities and stimulate general raising of standards among educational institutions.
- Involve faculty and staff comprehensively in institutional evaluation and planning.
- Establish criteria for professional certification and licensure and for upgrading courses offering such preparation.
The purpose of accreditation is to focus on the same standards and criteria across all nursing programs. This ensures that there is some level of sameness within the programs. The accreditation process ultimately improves the quality of nursing education and keeps the curriculum up to date on current trends in advances in nursing and healthcare. Accreditation continues to further the nursing profession and enhances the overall care provided by nurses.
What Is The Difference Between Aacn And Ccne
The main difference between the two licensing organization is the CCNE only accredits bachelor and masters degree level programs. ACEN accredits all levels of nursing programs from practical to doctorate. The ACEN also works more closely with government agencies, allowing them to provide student assistance programs.
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The Healthcare Industry For Arizona
Arizona is one of Americas proudest states. Residents of this state work hard and enjoy the lifestyle that this area of the United States provides.
For professionals, there is no better place to have a profitable career especially in the medical field. The beauty of this state is matched by its excellence in education. For those working in the medical field, Arizona is a place to find a fitting career.
The medical field provides career opportunities for millions within the country, making it one of the most popular degree paths to upcoming students. For nurses that are already working in the field, the increase in interest in the field has sparked the need for further education.
There Are Two Major Types Of Accreditation: Regional And National
There are six regional accrediting associations in the United States, governing over the six regions of the country. Regional accreditation is very broad, and universities that offer a well rounded education.
National accreditation, on the other hand, is generally given to schools that offer a specialized or technically oriented curriculum. In nursing, this means that one nursing program can be accurately compared to another nursing program, rather than comparing a nursing program with a liberal arts program.
In most other disciplines, regional accreditation is the preferred type (state colleges and credits earned from a regionally accredited institution are easily transferred to any other school, whereas credits earned from a nationally accredited college or university are not always transferable to a regionally accredited school.
In the nursing community, however, nationally accreditation is preferred, by either the ACEN or by the CCNE . Some CRNA schools, for instance, will ONLY accept students who earned their bachelors degree from a CCNE or ACEN accredited school .
If you already have a nursing degree from a regionally accredited nursing program, dont lose heart. Most advanced practice programs that will accept you.
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The Value Of Accreditation To You
National accreditation is your assurance that the nursing program you choose meets the highest standards of nursing education. The disadvantages of choosing a non-accredited program include the following:
- Possible ineligibility for financial aid.
- Non-transference of credits to an accredited program.
- Refusal by other programs for an invalid degree.
- Difficulty finding a job.
Choosing an accredited nursing program gives you more education and career options.
Suny College Of Technology At Canton
All Accreditations: MSCHE, ACEN, ABET, IREC, NATEFApplicable Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nursing Tuition: $333 per credit hour
SUNY College of Technology at Cantons career-oriented nursing program prepares distance learners for employment in hospitals, private practices, community clinics, research facilities, and many other medical and health care settings.
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What Are The Differences Between Ccne And Acen Accreditation
Both the CCNE and ACEN meet national standards with neither truly being better than the other. The CCNE uses more self-regulation through self-reflection and assessment while the ACEN follows a strict set of guidelines. Furthermore, the ACEN is an older organization and has accredited nursing programs longer than the CCNE.
The CCNE only accredited bachelor and masters degree programs while the ACEN accredits all levels of nursing programs from practical to doctorate. Furthermore, the ACEN works closely with government agencies to provide additional assistance to nursing students which can be important. These services include financial aid, counseling, and job search services.
Nursing Schools In New York
The entryway into the United States for many who visit or come to live, New York is a thriving state that features a population of well over 8 million people. It also boasts an economy that is even more impressive than its population. As a result, entry-level or veteran nurses seeking to further their education can easily do so by finding nursing schools in New York.
Because New York successfully thrives in terms of economic status the overall cost of living is well capable of being more than enough for someone with the nurses salary to live on in the state of New York.
In This Article
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Other Types Of Nursing Accrediting Bodies
In addition to the ACEN and CCNE, the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs and the American College of Nurse-Midwives Division of Accreditation also provide nursing accreditation, to nurse anesthesia and nurse midwifery programs respectively. You might hear somebody refer to a state accrediting a program, but this usually means that the state board of nursing has approved a program.
Baptist Health System School Of Health Professions
All Accreditations: ACEN, CAAHEP, JRCERTApplicable Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nursing Tuition: $282 per credit hour
Baptist Health Systems School of Health Professions aims to educate competent, compassionate health care professionals. BHS also operates hospitals, fitness and wellness centers, schools, medical transportation services, and many other health care facilities serving south central Texas.
Applicable Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nursing Tuition: $295 per credit hour
Founded as a Baptist liberal arts college, Alderson Broaddus University has numerous nursing and health care programs, including asynchronous online classes that allow for flexible scheduling.
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North Carolina A& t State University
All Accreditations: SACSCOC, ACEN, AACSB, ABET, ATMAE, CACREP, CSWE, LAAB, NASAD, NASM, NAST, NCATEApplicable Degree:Bachelor of Science in Nursing Tuition: $125$563 per credit hour
North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University is home to a diverse student body, highly regarded faculty, and many renowned scholarly institutes and centers of learning. They offer traditional and accelerated baccalaureate nursing programs.
Applicable Degree:Bachelor of Science in Nursing Tuition: $142$234 per credit hour
Great Basin Colleges mission is to enrich students lives by providing them with the educational resources they need to excel in their chosen fields of work and study.
Austin Peay State University
All Accreditations: SACSCOC, ACEN, CSWE, NAACLS, NASAD, NCATEApplicable Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nursing Tuition: $298 per credit hour
Named for a former Tennessee governor, Austin Peay State University is one of the states fastest-growing universities, offering several nursing tracks to choose from. Their graduates pass licensing examinations at a rate well above the national standard.
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How Much Does Accreditation Costisnt The Right Question
A common question is how much does it cost to have an ACEN accredited program? While the answer to that question is straightforward and easily answered by reviewing the ACEN fee schedule and illustration, the more important question is what are the benefits of a nursing program being accredited with the ACEN?
Can Programs Lose Their Accreditation Status
Programs are subject to regular review and can lose their nursing accreditation if they fail to meet current standards. However, this is rare, since as standards change, the accrediting organizations communicate the changes to all stakeholders and provide information and training on how to maintain standards. Accreditation organizations work with organizations that are at risk of losing their accreditation status to help them ensure their programs meet the latest standards.
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The Accreditation Commission For Education In Nursing
The ACEN offers the widest range of nursing accreditation, including all nursing degrees and non-degree certificate programs. For degree-granting programs, it accredits ADN, BSN, MSN, and doctoral nursing programs, and also accredits certificate programs. The ACEN is led by a 17-member board of commissioners, who establish the criteria for certification and oversee the evaluation process.
How Does A Program Receive Ccne Accreditation
A nursing education program must be established for at least a year before it can be considered for CCNE accreditation. Once that benchmark has been established, a programs mission, goals and expected outcomes are evaluated. Additionally, an assessment occurs based on the performance of the program in achieving these outcomes through the use of effective resources, programs and administration. Then, based on whether or not the program has complied with CCNE standards, a self-study will be conducted by the sponsoring institution highlighting how the program has complied and ultimately whether or not it has met the standards for accredidation.2
From there, an on-site visit is conducted by accreditation professionals, known as the evaluation team. The evaluation team then prepares a report of their findings. At this point, the institution offering the program can respond to the team report and include additional information. Then, the self-study, the evaluation report and the institution’s response to it are compiled together and submitted to the official accreditation review board, known as the Accreditation Review Committee . The ARC’s evaluation of the documents then goes to the CCNE’s Board of Directors, who grant or deny the accreditation.6,7
CCNE accreditation is granted for up to 10-year terms and then must be renewed to be maintained.6
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Accredited Accelerated Nursing School Programs
Dedicated to providing students with educational excellence, Madonna is an accredited university as are all its undergraduate and graduate nursing programs. These accreditations ensure your accelerated nursing education meets strict standards and qualifies you to sit for the NCLEX-RN® exam.
By enrolling in Madonnas ABSN program, youll receive a quality education that prepares you to enter the workforce as a competent, compassionate registered nurse.