The National League for Nursing (NLN) has championed quality nursing education for many years. Through the development of professional accreditation standards, the NLN has provided leadership in establishing quality assurance and improvement processes in nursing education since 1952, which offer nursing programs with a public mark of educational excellence when applied through the accreditation process.
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NLN-Accredited Program Overview
A membership organization for nursing faculty and educators, the NLN represents nursing educators and nursing faculty. It’s one of the largest national organizations. As part of the NLNAC, nursing education schools. The National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) assesses and accredits the program.
What Are NLN Accredited Programs?
Accreditation is the process of ensuring that educational programs conform to professional standards. The NLN CNEA accredits associate, bachelor, master, clinical doctorate, and postgraduate certificate programs. Each state recognizes nursing programs accredited by either CCNE or NLNAC.
Benefits of Earning an Accredited Nursing Degree
With the high demand for well-qualified nurses, education is highly sought-after. Obtaining accreditation means that an accrediting body has rigorously reviewed the quality of a nursing program and found it to meet or exceed the standards. Student education is designed to ensure you receive the most effective training and provide them with the competencies they need to deliver quality patient care.
Scope of Curriculum Review
Faculty and staff of the school and the accrediting body undergo an intense accreditation process. To achieve accreditation, the institution must complete several steps, including a self-study, peer reviews from other institutions with similar standards, and regular site visits from the accrediting organization. As a result, you can trust a curriculum that has been thoroughly checked and balanced!
Eligibility for Financial Aid
Scholarships and loans provided by federal and state agencies to students should be used wisely. The reason for this is that funding usually requires accreditation to be received. You are more likely to receive federal and state government financial aid if you attend an accredited Massachusetts nursing school.
Ability to Transfer Credits
Other schools rely on accreditation to determine the quality of coursework from other institutions. Continuing your education beyond your BSN and master’s degree as a Direct Entry Nursing student presents an issue if you wish to pursue a master’s degree in another clinical specialization or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).
Value to Employers
RNs with a BSN from an accredited nursing school are in high demand by employers in the healthcare industry. Nursing schools with accredited nursing programs are more aware of how nursing education impacts patient safety and nursing professionals’ advanced critical-thinking skills.
What Can You Do With an NLN-Accredited Degree?
An accredited degree makes students more competitive in the job market since employers know their education adheres to national standards. Accreditation of programs is a requirement for many employers. Without an accredited undergraduate degree, you may not be eligible for a graduate program if you decide to continue your education.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), you could become an anesthetist, nurse midwife, and even nurse practitioner. However, you may need a master’s degree in anesthesiology and other advanced nursing roles. You’ll also need to pass a national certification exam.
NLN-Accredited Nursing Program Salary and Job Outlook
According to the National League for Nursing, salaries range from $108,000 to $141,000 annually. Salaries vary according to skills, education, position, department, location, and departmental management.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), registered nurse job openings are expected to grow to 203,200 between 2021 and 2031. The positions often open because workers transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force altogether.
How Much Does an NLN-Accredited Program Cost?
NLN-Accredited programs range between $10,000 and $15,000 per year for the program, but it depends on the program and location. In addition to tuition, students also have the cost of books, living expenses, and transportation. Prestigious or elite programs can easily double the costs of attending an NLN-Accredited Program.
Nursing Scholarship Information
Hundreds of nursing scholarships are available to you for your NLN-Accredited program. Your eligibility will depend on where you’re located, your educational background, and your financial need. Here are a few scholarships you should explore.
Scrubin Uniforms – AACN Scholarship
Scrubin Uniforms/AACN Scholarships are available to nursing students in baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs. You’ll need to enroll at AACN member schools and agree to a formal affiliation with Scrubin Uniforms. The scholarship provides $2,500 three times each year.
NurseThink – AACN Scholarship
The NurseThink® – AACN Scholarship may support you if you’re enrolled in master’s and doctoral nursing programs. You must be enrolled at an AACN member institution with a desire to become nursing faculty. From now until 2026, the fund will award $5,000 in scholarships to students twice a year.
Geraldine “Polly” Bednash Scholarship
This scholarship program provides $5,000 in support. To be eligible, you must be an outstanding nursing student in a baccalaureate, master’s, or doctoral program, enrolled in CastleBranch or have applied to nursing’s centralized application service, NursingCAS. To apply, visit the Geraldine “Polly” Bednash Scholarship page.
CastleBranch–GNSA Scholarship
The CastleBranch-GNSA Scholarship recognizes your work if you’re an outstanding graduate nursing student. You must be looking to advance in the nursing profession. Commit to innovation, leadership, and mentorship. This scholarship awards $2,500 scholarships to eligible students each semester. To apply, visit the CastleBranch-GNSA Scholarship page.
Deborah E. Trautman Future Nurse Leader Scholarship
Funded by Liaison International, AACN’s partner in NursingCAS, this scholarship and leadership development program was created in honor of AACN’s President and CEO, Dr. Deborah Trautman.
Uniform Advantage/GNSA Scholarship
This scholarship program provides $5,000 in support to master’s and doctoral students who are committed to positively impacting the nation’s health and health care.
AfterCollege/AACN Nursing Scholarship Program
The AfterCollege/AACN Nursing Scholarship Program supports students who are seeking a baccalaureate, master’s, or doctoral degree in nursing. Special consideration will be given to students in a graduate program to become a nurse educator. You should be completing an RN to BSN. You may even be pursuing the MSN program. You may be enrolled in an accelerated nursing program.
NLN-Accredited Program Requirements
The standard NLN-Accredited program requirements are similar to many other health- or medical-related degree programs. These are just basic requirements, so they do not reflect what you might be required to complete if you have a more popular and competitive focus.
- High school biology with a C+, one year
- High school chemistry with a C+, one year
- College-preparatory math with a C or better, two years
- GPA of 2.75 or higher, ADN program
- GPA of 3.0 or higher, BSN program
- SATs or Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)
As you apply for more competitive programs at more elite institutions, you must consider ways to stand out from the many qualified candidates. Particularly now, with the current demand for nurses, additional requirements may be needed to earn a placement in the program.
Common Courses in Nursing Programs
The standard courses in Nursing follow a general area of study. Depending on your focus and specializations, courses may diverge or expand to ensure a complete understanding of that field’s topics. Here’s a quick overview of the courses you might expect in an NLN-accredited program.
Advanced Pathology
In this MSN course, you’ll evaluate clinical presentations using various theories and frameworks. By integrating patient, family, and community preferences into teaching methodologies, advanced practice care can be delivered in a patient-centered manner.
Advanced Pharmacology
In this MSN course, you will gain a fundamental understanding of pharmacology. You will learn about pharmacokinetics, pharmacogenomics, and pharmacodynamics. The effects of There will be a focus on age, culture, ethnicity, funding, gender, and pregnancy for pharmacological therapy. Pharmacology is the study of medications. With this course, you’ll understand the fundamentals of pharmacology to ensure patient safety and answer patients’ questions.
Care Transitions
Care transition programs aim to teach students how to move patients from one health environment to another, change treatments, or discharge them. You’ll also develop an understanding of patient information, how to transfer it, any adverse reactions experienced, and how to include them in your report.
Clinical Study
The clinical study is a vital test that ensures you know how to be prepared and ready to become a nurse. You have the chance to learn hands-on regarding healthcare specialties and settings. The content of this class makes it essential for your future as a nurse.
Clinical Theory
Clinical theory courses discuss health and healthcare, taking a strategic approach to the study. These classes are essential to you as a nurse if you’re preparing for leadership, healthcare management, or advanced practice nursing jobs.
Community and Environmental Nursing
This course studies essential nursing aspects, including community safety, pollution, and its impact on health. Urban, suburban, and rural community design are discussed in this course. As frontline health workers, you’re one of the first individuals to be in direct contact with those who need information on environmental hazards or infectious diseases.
Ethics in Nursing
You’ll cover responses to unethical behavior, conflicts of interest, diversity and inclusion, professional conduct, and health equity. Ethics classes combine theory, so be prepared to analyze ethical issues critically.
Leadership Management
Since leadership management requires broader nursing knowledge, it is typically offered later in the RN curriculum. This course studies management theory and case studies and how theory applies to real-life nursing situations. When you take it as part of your MSN program, you’ll gain the skills and knowledge required to provide leadership in a nursing education setting.
Microbiology
Microbiology studies microorganisms — any organism that’s too small to see without a microscope. You’ll study viruses, bacteria, and certain types of fungi. This course includes lab work as well as classroom work.
Nursing Fundamentals
Nursing fundamental courses give you an overview of nursing. You’ll learn the basics of healthcare, how it works, and how you can pursue potential careers and roles for nurses. This course focuses on patient care and fundamental nursing skills.
Physiology
Physiology studies the human body. You’ll learn how the body works and the names and functions of different body parts. You’ll learn how they all work together in a healthy person and throughout illnesses and injuries. Physiology also includes essential topics for your health and safety, such as how to lift and move patients safely.
Population Health & Prevention
This MSN course explores public health theories and information within the context of complex healthcare systems, such as access to health care, promoting healthy behaviors, and promoting equity in health. You will learn concepts of public health as well as evidence-based recommendations for risk reduction and health promotion.
Psychology
Nursing programs often require students to take an introductory psychology course as a prerequisite. It explains psychology as a medical discipline and how nurses can apply psychology in their roles as nurses and communicators.
Psychology and Mental Health
Understanding the psychological aspects of health is essential to many other nursing school classes. These courses cover mental health conditions. You’ll also study mental health treatments. You’ll explore special legal and ethical considerations and how to care for patients with mental health conditions.
Women and Infant Health
Women and infant health cover women’s health topics, such as reproductive health, pregnancy and delivery, and infant development. In addition, this course covers general nursing concepts. These courses can cover topics in pediatrics, gynecology, or obstetric nursing.
How Long Does It Take to Complete an NLN-Accredited Nursing Program?
Depending on your education level and which nursing program you choose (ADN or BSN), it takes around 2-4 years to become a registered nurse. If you continue pursuing further training and knowledge, you can enroll in an RN-to-BSN program. The NLN-accredited nursing program will likely take less than two years for you to complete. You can take some courses online, which allows you to continue working as you advance your education.