Certified Nursing Schools: An Overview

To some people it may sound confusing: A Registered, or certified nursing school, or a registered nurse? Legally, both. You have to be registered or licensed to practice as a nurse, but the institution where you study also has to be certified.

The National League of Nursing Accrediting Commission and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education are two non-governmental associations, who have compiled a set of basic expectations to ensure quality education. Only nursing schools that have met or exceeded there criteria, are deemed to be up to professional educational standard, and are thus recognized as certified nursing schools.

Throughout the U.S., there are a number of certified nursing schools spread across different states. In California, for instance, you will find the American Career College: One of the largest and most respected (and certified) training schools, which offers short, highly intensive nursing programs taking less than a year to complete. Another example would be the University of Phoenix in Colorado, which offers nursing programs designed around the professional, working person.

Different nursing schools also offer different nursing program courses: Many schools tend to specialize more, offering only certain courses. Options include a wide range of choices, such as a registered nursing degree, licensed practical nursing, CNA training and Parish Nursing. As there are some institutions that are not registered, care should be taken to verify the accreditation of any nursing school you wish to enroll into. This will ensure your qualification is recognized by any future employer.

With more than two and a half million registered nurses nationwide, nursing is obviously the largest health care profession in the U.S. With nurses being the backbone of hospital staff and patient care, the nursing industry is expanding rapidly. And with a worldwide shortage of nursing staff, and the counter measures taken to address it, the growth rate is set to increase even more.

The process of authorization for (certified) nursing schools was set in place to ensure the constant improvement of teaching, resources and results of nursing schools. It is also a mechanism to monitor course offerings by nursing schools, to ensure compliance with state examination and licensing rules. Although a qualification from a nursing school accredited by either organization is accepted, the ideal would be to attend an institution accredited by both.