A nursing school may not be accredited because it is a newer school, but it may still be a candidate school. Candidate nursing schools are those that have applied for candidacy to become accredited. Nursing schools attain accreditation candidacy status after a National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission staff member has reviewed the school's potential to achieve NLNAC accreditation. Though schools that are in the candidacy phase are not guaranteed accreditation until they undergo a complete review and a visit by a team of trained site visitors, if they do earn accreditation, it is retroactive.
One of the main reasons accreditation is such an important aspect of a nursing school is the future employability of its students. It seems obvious that a person attending nursing school is doing so with the hopes of finding employment upon graduation and certification. The odds of finding gainful employment are much higher with a degree from an accredited school. A diploma from an accredited nursing school tells an employer that certain standards were met during the education process.
The accreditation status of nursing schools also plays a very important role in a student's future acceptance to programs for more advanced nursing degrees. Most schools that offer master's degrees or Doctor of Nursing degrees require that a student hold a degree from an accredited nursing school to even be considered for entrance into their programs. The compromise of attending an unaccredited nursing school may not be worth the risk of hindering a chance at a further education.
An education at an unaccredited nursing school may be less of an economic burden initially; in the long run, however, the opportunity for valuable employment experiences and further education offered by a degree from an accredited school will also provide increased opportunities for promotions and salary increases that might not otherwise be available. Additionally, scholarships, financial aid and grants are not available for students who attend unaccredited nursing schools.