Nursing Programs: Approval and Accreditation

• The initial step to becoming a nurse involves selecting and gaining acceptance into a nursing program.
• Options range from practical nurse (PN) programs to registered nurse (RN) programs.
• PN programs are non-degree programs available at technical and trade schools.
• RN education paths include associate's degrees, bachelor's degrees, entry-level master's degrees, and diploma programs from healthcare organizations.
• State boards of nursing approve nursing programs based on location.
• Nursing programs pursue accreditation to demonstrate adherence to best practices.

Program Approval

• State boards of nursing regulate nursing education to safeguard public health and safety.
• Each board oversees prelicensure and advanced practice nursing programs.
• Advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) programs prepare nurse practitioners, certified nurse-midwives, and clinical nurse specialists.
• Programs and instructors must meet state board requirements.

Accreditation

• Accreditation indicates a nursing program's quality.
• Some employers prioritize hiring graduates from accredited programs.
• Further education programs may require applicants to have graduated from accredited programs.
• Institutions housing nursing programs should be accredited by federally recognized agencies.

Accrediting Agencies

• Accreditation agencies set competency standards.
• Nursing programs must demonstrate they meet these standards through self-evaluation and on-site visits.
• Programs choose accrediting organizations based on program type.
• The National League for Nursing (NLN), the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) are accrediting organizations in the U.S.

Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation

• The NLN's Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA) focuses on continuous improvement across nursing programs, including practical nursing, diploma, associate, bachelor, master's, and clinical doctoral degrees.
• CNEA values caring, diversity, integrity, and excellence.
• CNEA accreditation involves a systematic self-assessment and evaluation of governance, faculty, students, curriculum, and outcomes.
• CNEA evaluators conduct site visits following the self-assessment review.

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing

• The ACEN accredits various nursing programs, including clinical doctoral, master's, baccalaureate, associate, diploma, and practical nursing programs.
• ACEN employs a peer-review process to ensure programs meet or exceed standards.
• Standards encompass administrative capacity, faculty, students, curriculum, learning and fiscal resources, and educational outcomes.
• Accreditation involves an application, a site visit, and a decision by the Board of Commissioners.

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

• The AACN's accrediting arm, CCNE, maintains standards for baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral programs to protect recipients of nursing care.
• Accreditation confirms institutional support, curriculum excellence, teaching practices, and outcome assessment.
• Accreditation includes a self-study and on-site evaluation.
• Evaluators review documents and interview administration, faculty, students, and constituents.

Working as a Nurse

• Licensure is granted by the state board of nursing after completing an approved program and passing the national licensing exam.
• Most nurses work in hospitals.
• Governmental agencies and the nursing discipline regulate practice.

Licensure

• State boards of nursing regulate RN and PN licensure, though some states have separate boards for each.
• The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) allows multistate licensure in participating states.
• Benefits of multistate licensure include practicing telehealth, practicing across state borders, relocating due to military service, and rapid response to disasters.
• Telehealth involves using technology to deliver remote nursing care.
• Nurses can obtain single-state licenses through endorsement, even in NLC states.
• Endorsement involves reciprocity, allowing nurses who have passed the National Council Licensing Exam (NCLEX) to apply for licensure in multiple states.

Nursing Practice Act

• Each state legislature enacts a Nurse Practice Act to govern nursing practice.
• It defines the authority of the state board of nursing and specifies license types, titles, and requirements for licensure and nursing education.
• Nurse Practice Acts delineate the scope of practice.
• Nurses must understand and comply with the current practice act in the states where they work.

Professional Nursing Organizations

• Nurses collaborate to form professional organizations based on interests, specialties, and roles.
• These organizations promote nurses' interests through health policy.
• Membership provides networking, resume enhancement, scholarships, and access to scholarly literature.

American Nurses Association

• The American Nurses Association (ANA) represents about 3.6 million nurses.
• ANA focuses on advancing the nursing profession, promoting a safe work environment, and advocating on health care issues.
• Membership includes access to career resources, continuing education, networking, and influence on health policy.
• ANA offers a virtual community and publishes scholarly journals like American Nurse Today and Online Journal of Issues in Nursing.
• ANA members participate in Hill Day to lobby Congress.
• The American Nurses Association applies only to RNs, not PNs.

National Association for Practical Nurse Education and Service

• The National Association for Practical Nurse Education and Service (NAPNES) promotes and defends the practice, education, and regulation of practical nurses.
• NAPNES collaborates to create Standards of Practice and Educational Competencies for PN programs.

National Association of Licensed Practical Nurses

• The National Association of Licensed Practical Nurses (NALPN) promotes competencies through education, certification, and lifelong learning.
• NALPN created a Code of Standards to elevate professional nursing standards.

Advocacy

• Advocacy involves speaking on behalf of vulnerable clients.
• Nurses partner to champion issues and impact legislation.

Code of Ethics

• The ANA's Code of Ethics establishes ethical standards.
• The Code includes nine provisions defining ethical nursing practice and professionalism.
• "The nurse collaborates to protect human rights and reduce health disparities" is an example from the code.

Nurse Staffing

• Nurse staffing is the process of determining the appropriate number and skill mix of nurses based on client needs.
• Acuity is the amount of nursing time required for each client's care.
• The acuity of each client is used to determine the nursing assignment.
• ANA advocates for safe staffing through careful analysis.
• State approaches to staffing laws include nurse-driven committees, minimum nurse-to-patient ratios, and transparency in staffing levels.
• California and Oregon have legislated minimum nurse-to-patient ratios for every inpatient unit.
• Nurse-to-patient ratio refers to the number of clients each nurse is assigned.
• ANA supports staffing plans created by nurses and specific to each unit.

Accreditation of Health Care Delivery Organizations

• States license healthcare organizations.
• Accreditation is optional but indicates higher standards.
• Accreditation is often required for federal funding, like Medicare and Medicaid.

The Joint Commission

• The Joint Commission (TJC) accredits over 20,000 hospitals in the United States.
• Accreditation is granted for three years following an on-site visit.
• TJC accreditation demonstrates safety, quality, risk management, and performance excellence.
• Accreditation may reduce liability insurance costs and qualify a facility for Medicare and Medicaid.
• TJC maintains a collection of best practices, including National Patient Safety Goals, a "do not use" list of abbreviations, and sentinel event information.

Magnet Recognition

• The American Nurses Credentialing Center's Magnet Recognition Program recognizes organizations with nursing care excellence.
• Applying for Magnet Recognition requires a chief nursing officer with a master of science in nursing, 100% nurse manager bachelor's or master's degrees, and systems for nurse-sensitive quality indicators.
• Nurse-sensitive quality indicators include falls, injuries from falls, pressure injuries, restraint use, nurse staffing, and hospital-acquired infections.
• Magnet Recognition indicates respect, autonomy, and shared values.

Learn about nursing program options, from PN to RN, and the importance of state board approval. Discover how accreditation ensures quality and adherence to best practices in nursing education. Understand the roles of state boards in regulating nursing education.