The National League for Nursing maintains an Accrediting Commission to evaluate and set standards for nursing programs. There is a wide range of nursing programs available. The NLNAC accredits programs for Practical Nursing, Diploma Programs, Associate Degrees, Baccalaureates, Masters and Post-Masters and Clinical Doctorates. Each of these programs is evaluated on a separate set of criteria, reflecting the wide and varied range of careers available in nursing. Criteria for each type of program may be downloaded from the NLNAC website (see Resource 1).
Although the criteria vary according to the type of program, the accreditation process for any program addresses the same six concerns. First, are the program's goals in line with those of the governing body, and can the institution adequately administer the program? Second, are faculty and staff suited to deliver the program? Third, are appropriate policies and services in place to support the students? Fourth, does the curriculum meet national standards? Fifth, does the institution support its nursing program with appropriate fiscal, physical, and learning resources? Sixth, do students show evidence of the desired learning outcomes after graduation?
In April of 2009 the National Commission for Certifying Agencies granted the NLNAC the authority to offer a certification to professional nursing educators. The CNE certification demonstrates that nursing education is a specialty area of practice in its own right, with nationally-recognized standards of competency and excellence. For educators in the field, the CNE offers a recognized path for professional development.
At the end of 2006, there were a total of just under 1200 nursing programs accredited by the NLN, far too many to list here. At that time the breakdown by program was as follows: Practical Nursing, 153 programs; Diploma, 59 programs; Associate Degree, 617 programs; Baccalaureate, 259 programs; Master's Degree, 102 programs; and Doctorate of Nursing, one program. The current list of accredited programs is available in its entirety from the NLNAC website (see Resources).