NLN Accreditation

Majority of the employees and the management of the facility were fully aware on the national league of Nursing (NLN) accrediting commission.  Being an educational facility it was paramount for the school to receive accreditations. Accreditation gives the assurance that the programs that are being provided at the facility are valid and meet the expected standards and criteria of the nursing profession (American Association of College Nursing, 2012).

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Accreditation also gives the facility an opportunity to improve on their programs. This is especially if some of them are detected to be substandard thus not able to churn qualified professionals. From the interview it appeared that the managed and the top fraternity of the school were fully conversant with the accreditation details and process. On the other hand the support staff such as the administrators, though aware of the accreditation, was no fully aware of the details involved (NLNAC, 2002). Potential employers check for accredited education programs so as to employ competent employees.

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The students also benefits by being able to transfer their credits form one course unit to another. Financial aid accessibility is also with ease for students attending accredited program. Unlike NLNAC, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of health care Organization (JCAHO) looks into the accreditation of hospitals. The two bodies however look into inspecting various aspects of the health care industry to determine their eligibility.

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Both program look into aspects such as office procedures, staffing, presence of equipment and ensuring that the institution has an updated certification (NLNAC, 2002). In our facility, the accreditation process has been undertaken for decades. Currently, the institution is focused on renewal and maintenance accreditation process. Renewal and maintenance process of accreditation is important as it guarantees quality in the entire nursing education program that is being offered in the facility.

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The need to study and graduate from an accredited program is paramount. First institutions that are found not to abide by the expected standards risk closure. This is especially so if the institution is found to offer irrelevant or outdated programs. By receiving accreditation it will be evidence that the programs offered at the facility are up to the current standards (NLNAC, 2002). To the students, undertaking a non accredited program is risky as the students may not receive financial assistance, it would also be a little difficult to get employment. The ability to transfer credits from a non- credited program to accredited program would not be possible. This will be experienced in situations where the student wishes to change his or her career or wishes to further his/her education.

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Accreditation also opens up clinical opportunities undertaking the accredited programs. Currently, most health care providers and organization require that the nursing school acquire accreditation so as to participate in clinical rotations. Without accreditation, the nursing education facility may experience drastic restrictions on the number of health organization and institutions that it can collaborate with. In the long run it is the nursing students in these programs who suffer by missing out on viable opportunities of training and practice (American Association of College Nursing, 2012).

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Accreditation also increases membership eligibility. Once accredited most nursing education programs are eligible for free education and learning materials such as nursing publications and free memberships (NLNAC, 2002). Free access to membership programs such as faculty developments boosts the knowledge and exposure of instructors who in turn give the nursing students adequate knowledge to become effective nurses. Without accreditation the learning process could be hindered.

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American Association of College Nursing, (2012). Accreditation. Retrieved from http://www.aacn.nche.edu/ccne-accreditation

NLNAC, (2002). Home Page. Retrieved from http://www.nlnac.org/home.htm