Part two of this series will focus on assessing program outcomes. This is a critical component of the 2017 ACEN Standards and Criteria, exceptionally Standard 6 Outcomes.
Attending a Self-Study Forum can help you understand each ACEN Standard and Criterion better. Seating for forums is limited, and representatives from ACEN-accredited programs and Candidate programs receive priority.
What is ACEN?
ACEN is an accrediting organization that works to set standards and criteria for nursing education. State boards of nursing partner with accreditors to help oversee nurse preparation programs and ensure that graduates meet their qualifications to take the NCLEX exam. Choosing the right nursing program is an important decision. Take your time, research, and prioritize ACEN accredited programs for a high-quality education that prepares you for a successful nursing career.
Accreditation requires a multi-step process, starting with an application for candidacy. Once a program is granted candidacy, they will undergo an onsite visit with peer evaluators who will assess the program against the ACEN Standards and Criteria.
During the site visit, the peer evaluators will clarify, verify, and amplify the information (narrative/evidence) presented in the Self-Study Report. They will then make an accreditation recommendation to the Board of Commissioners. This recommendation may be based on the current or former ACEN Standards and Criteria version.
What is Candidacy?
Choosing a nursing program accredited by an agency recognized by the US Department of Education is essential, as some schools lack accreditation. It includes CCNE and ACEN.
Accreditation requires that programs perform self-study and undergo site visits from a team of peer evaluators. The evaluators are experts in the field and use their knowledge to ensure that the program meets the ACEN standards.
After the review, a program may be approved for candidacy, deferred, or disapproved. If a program is approved for candidacy, they will be invited to host an initial accreditation site visit. This will be scheduled approximately 18 months in advance. This site visit will include meetings with the governing organization, nurse administrator, and faculty.
What is Accreditation?
ACEN accreditation is granted when a nursing program meets specific standards and criteria set by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) recognize the agency.
Once a nursing program is approved as a Candidate, it has two years to complete the process before being awarded accreditation. The accreditation process entails an onsite visit where peer evaluators will review supporting evidence, including documentation of the program’s student records, academic and financial aid information, and faculty and administrator records.
Accreditation is essential for nursing students because state boards of nursing typically require that students graduate from accredited programs. It also indicates that the program has quality instruction based on established principles.
What is Self-Study?
Students who engage in self-study search for new information about a topic that piques their interest. It allows them to think about the topic deeper and boost their confidence as they become more independent learners.
Nursing accreditors are organizations that oversee the quality of nursing education programs. Most states require nursing programs to be accredited to prepare nurses for the NCLEX exam and future career.
An accredited nursing program is essential because it ensures you’ll receive high-quality training and employers will recognize your qualifications. However, it’s important to note that some RN and LPN programs are only accredited in specific regions or states. It makes looking for nationally accredited ACEN or CCNE nursing programs even more crucial.
What is Peer Review?
Many of your professors may require you to use articles that are “peer-reviewed.” This is often synonymous with “refereed journal article” or “scholarly journal article.”
In a peer-reviewed (or refereed) article, research papers are sent to experts in the same field as the author. They are asked to read the paper and judge whether or not it should be published in that journal. They also look at the methodology to see if it’s sound and can be reproduced and evaluate the findings’ uniqueness or interest.
An Advisory Review is an opportunity for ACEN to provide feedback to a program preparing for an initial or continuing accreditation site visit. The ACEN professional staff recommends accreditation based on their independent analysis and professional judgment of the evidence presented in the program’s Self-Study Report.
