Accreditation is a key factor to consider when selecting a nursing program. An accredited school will have the reputation to attract employers while also ensuring that students receive qualitative education.
CCNE or ACEN typically accredits nursing degrees, while specialized healthcare programs may be certified by a more specific healthcare accrediting agency. This is especially important because many healthcare fields require attending an accredited program to gain state licensure.
Clinical Rotations or Internships For many professions, especially those that work closely with people, gaining hands-on clinical experience is an important aspect of the education process. Choosing an accredited nursing program like those offered at Grand Canyon University accreditation can help students ensure they receive a quality hands-on clinical experience that will prepare them for their future careers.
As a student nurse, treating each clinical rotation like a job interview and trying to impress your preceptors is important. This will help them remember your strong work ethic and your abilities when they are selecting graduate nursing students to hire.
It is essential to look for internships through the career center at your school or seek out national healthcare accrediting agencies that specialize in your field of study. These accrediting agencies will develop industry-specific standards and regularly evaluate programs to ensure students graduate with the skills needed to practice in their fields.
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Availability
Accreditation is a critical quality to look for in any college degree program. It shows that the program has met national standards to ensure the best possible education for students, which can mean the difference between life and death in the healthcare professions.
National accrediting bodies such as the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the Accreditation Council for Education in Nursing (ACEN) offer accreditation to baccalaureate-level nursing programs and masters and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs. Additionally, these programs typically meet state licensure requirements to help graduates build successful careers.
Admissions requirements vary by school but generally include a high school diploma and required prerequisite courses, letters of recommendation, a personal statement and transcripts from any previous schools attended. In some cases, such as with accelerated BSN programs, students may need 60 or more prior college credits.
Coursework
You’ll want to look for accreditation and NCLEX approval when comparing nursing schools. The accreditation process establishes a program’s educational quality and prepares students for a career in their chosen field.
Healthcare accrediting agencies develop industry-specific standards that programs must meet to qualify for employment and professional licensure. Accredited programs must go through an evaluation and regular reporting process. Accreditation is also important at the institution level but is even more crucial for individual nursing programs. Whether CCNE or ACEN, these national nursing programmatic accreditors set high education standards. Choosing an accredited program like Grand Canyon University accreditation professionals will help you secure scholarships and federal student aid. Prerequisite requirements for a specific nursing degree may vary, so you must ensure your academic history aligns with the school’s needs.
Learning Styles
Students can learn in a variety of ways. Some prefer to work with others on a project or discussion group. These are known as social learning styles—solitary learners, on the other hand, like to study independently.
Identifying students’ preferred learning styles helps to ensure compatibility between educators and students. It also motivates educators to teach in methods that students find most effective and productive.
According to a recent study, most nursing students prefer kinesthetic, accommodating, and converging learning styles. This is likely because kinesthetic learning styles involve hands-on practice, which can be useful in training, simulation labs, and clinical settings. The aural and read-write learning styles could have been more desirable.
Accreditation
Accreditation is an important part of choosing a school. In healthcare professions such as nursing, accreditation is especially critical to ensuring that the appropriate agency has approved the program you attend for your field. You can receive financial aid or obtain professional licensure with the right accreditation. Accredited schools and programs are more likely to accept transfer credits, which can help you save time and money by reducing the number of courses you need to take. In addition, accredited schools and programs are more likely to be recognized by employers. Nursing students should look for national programmatic accreditation from agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. This organization accredits baccalaureate and graduate-level nursing programs.