The history of nursing accreditation dates back almost one hundred years, when the National League of Nursing Education published the first standard curriculum for schools of nursing. The accreditation league is now called the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, or NLNAC, comprised of a fifteen member professional board. The league is responsible for setting the curriculum standards for all types of nursing programs from associate degrees up to specialized doctorate degrees. All aspects of a nursing school's program are reviewed by the commission and accreditation is obtained only if the national quality standards are being met. There is usually a review process to ensure that the integrity of the program is being maintained, in order to allow the school to continue and keep its accreditation.
Students interested in becoming a registered nurse may find that the schools in their communities do not offer accredited nursing programs. It is often more convenient to attend a local non-accredited nursing program, especially when relocation to a new area or state is impossible. As there are many more non-accredited nursing schools to choose from, being accepted to a non-accredited program may be easier and less time consuming. Additionally, some students may feel that they can only afford a non-accredited program as these nursing schools often cost less. Each state has different licensing standards, therefore it is important to establish if your state's nursing board recognizes your school as acceptable for state RN licensing.
Although you may be eligible to become a licensed nurse after attending a non-accredited school, you may have many more opportunities by choosing an accredited program. Many bachelor and graduate nursing degrees require educational transcripts from accredited schools for acceptance to their programs. Returning to school for a specialized or post-graduate degree may substantially increase your salary in the long run, offsetting the higher cost of attending an accredited program. Employers in competitive markets may specifically look for nurses that have attended accredited schools, as this ensures that the nurse has experienced a quality education with consistent standards.
Accredited nursing schools have all been approved and meet the standards of the NLNAC. Receiving an education at an accredited school can make your degree more marketable when searching for employment. Although an accredited school may seem more expensive, there are actually more financial options available at these schools. Most student loans, scholarships and grants are only available for accredited nursing schools. As registered nurses are currently in high demand, you may also consider applying for a signing bonus with a local hospital or health care organization in order to receive tuition assistance.
The national registered nurse licensing exam is called the NCLEX-RN. This standardized test is necessary in order to achieve the title of registered nurse or RN. You must first attend a school approved by your state's nursing board in order to take this test. A state-approved nursing program is not the same as accreditation, therefore you do not need to attend an accredited school in order to take the NCLEX-RN . However, almost all accredited nursing programs and schools meet state licensing standards, as accreditation is a consistent quality control measure for education.