ACEN - Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing

ACEN is an acronym for the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. ACEN is an accrediting body providing specialized accreditation for Nursing programs across all degree levels for universities and colleges.

It is recognized by the Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) in the United States. It assists in the improvement of the Nursing programs and institutions offering them.  

The ACEN is governed by a 17-member Board of Commissioners. The Commissioners are elected by the representatives of ACEN-accredited nursing programs. The legal basis for the foundation and structure of the Commission is outlined in the Bylaws and the Articles of Incorporation. The ACEN is incorporated under the laws of the state of New York.

Accreditation also aids in the further improvement of the institutions or programs as related to resources invested, processes followed, and results achieved. 

The monitoring of certificate, diploma, and degree contributions is bound closely to state examination and licensing rules and the mistake of preparation for work in the profession.

Recognition of ACEN

The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing is perceived as the certifying body for a wide range of Nursing accredited education. The organizations which give recognition to ACEN are mentioned below.

• United States Department of Education (USDOE)

• Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors (ASPA)

• Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)

Purpose and motivation of ACEN 

The purpose of the ACEN is to provide specialized accreditation for all levels of nursing education and transition-to-practice programs.

The motivation behind the ACEN is to give particular accreditation for a wide range of nursing programs, including the Clinical Doctorate, Master's Certificate, Baccalaureate, Associate, Diploma, and Practical Nursing programs.

It authorizes nursing programs for the following levels.

• Secondary Nursing Program

• Postsecondary Nursing Program

• Hospital-based governing organizations offering authentications, recognition, or degrees.

Goals and Vision of ACEN

The following are the goals and visions of ACEN for providing accreditation. 

• Declare a typical center of guidelines and criteria for the accreditation.

• Fostering quality, equity, access, opportunity, mobility, and preparation for practice, or transition-to-practice, at all levels of nursing preparation

• Advocate for self-direction in Nursing training.

• Encourage educational value, versatility, and readiness for business.

• Catalyzes Title IV-HEA programs for which the ACEN is the accrediting agency.

• Promoting peer-review

• Developing standards and criteria for accreditation

• Reinforce instructive quality through help to related Nursing education units.

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Perks for choosing an ACEN accreditation

There are various benefits to choosing an ACEN accreditation. let's know more about it

1. Acknowledging a training program

Gives acknowledgment that a nursing training program has been assessed and occasionally re-assessed by a qualified, independent group of respected and skillful associates.

2. Gateway To Licensure

It is an entryway to licensure, confirmation, and qualification for entitlement programs. It helps in getting a license for the institution which in turn helps the students who are pursuing education in that authorized college.

Also Read: What is Accreditation in Colleges and Universities?

3. Encourages Self-Examination

Cultivates continuous self-examination, re-assessment, and spotlight on what's to come.

• Helps in understudy enrollment and maintenance.

• Helps managers looking for graduates who are skilled medical attendants.

• Encourages profession and training basic leadership.

• Advances proficient and instructive versatility of program graduates.

• Enables student eligibility for financing support from government and state offices.

4. Other Benefits

ACEN accreditation is a process designed to improve quality in nursing education. The other benefits of it are as mentioned below.

• It is required importantly by many nursing programs for admission to undergraduate and graduate programs.

• It provides students useful information for career and education decision-making.

• It aids in student recruitment.

• It allows students’ ability for funding support from federal and state agencies.

• It is required by some state administrative agencies.

• It assists employers in seeking competent graduates.

• It heightens faculty members and administrators’ awareness and responsiveness to fields requiring improvement.

• It offers professional growth opportunities and validation for faculty.

• It promotes the transfer of credit using the following factors.

• The educational quality of the institution from which the student transfers.

• The comparability of the characteristics, content, and level of credit earned from the programs administered by the receiving college.

• The suitability and applicability of the credit earned from the programs offered by the receiving college concerning the student’s institutional goals.

Products and Services of Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing

• Beginning accreditation and proceeding with accreditation site visits of roughly 175 nursing programs for each year.

• Consistent checking of more than 1,200 projects for every year.

• ACEN Accreditation Manual

• General Information

• Policies

• Standards and Criteria/Glossary

• ACEN Directory of Accredited Nursing Programs

• Candidacy Program

• Mentoring by Professional Staff

• Report to Constituents

• Analysis of ACEN Annual Reports

• Analysis of Accreditation Cycles

ACEN Accredited Colleges and Universities 

Some of the well-known ACEN accredited schools in the United States are enlisted in the table below

ACEN Accreditated Colleges/Universities
North Carolina A&T State University	Great Basin College
North Carolina Central University	Brigham Young University - Idaho
Montana State University-Northern	Northeastern State University

Conclusion 

This accreditation helps the college to get recognized for Nursing education and practices. It also fulfills criteria for educational quality to educational institutions or programs.

It is recommended that the students who are willing to take up nursing accredited course to make the right choice by opting for the accredited nursing college.

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