The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accredits bachelor of science in nursing, graduate nursing programs, and nurse residency programs. CCNE provides a search function to find accredit- ed university programs, either by state or institution. The site has links to the university websites.
The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing provides specialized accreditation for all types of nursing programs, including clinical doctorate, master’s/post-master’s certificate, baccalaureate, associate, diploma, and practical nursing programs. The ACEN accred- its nursing programs in secondary, postsecondary, and hospital-based governing organizations that offer certificates, diplomas, or degrees.
The Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME) re-
quires that all midwifery education programs incorporate the following competencies into their curricula: the American College of Nurse-Mid- wives (ACNM) Standards for Practice of Midwifery and the ACNM Core Competencies for Midwifery Practice, and, if a doctoral program, the ACNM Competencies for the Practice Doctorate in Midwifery. Graduation from an ACME-accredited program is required to sit for the midwifery certification exam.
The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Pro-
grams is the accrediting body for nurse anesthesia programs. The coun- cil sets the standards for education and mandates clinical experiences, including specialty experiences focusing on cardiovascular, pediatric, obstetrics, and pain management.
Use the resources to search for accredited programs. Beware of de-
gree mills that claim to be providers of education but offer certificates and degrees that may be bogus. Check the Council for Higher Educa- tion Accreditation, which offers resources to determine if a school or program is legitimate.10
Competition for clinical sites and preceptors is becoming more in-
tense among schools within and outside the profession, both regionally and for distance programs. Check with the program you are consider- ing for availability of clinical sites for practicum experiences.
The Application Process After you’ve selected some schools, it will be time to submit appli- cations — note the plural! Admission to academic programs may be limited and competitive, and applying to multiple universities can increase your chances of being accepted. Carefully review the application directions, including deadlines. Start well ahead of the deadline. Admission offices may require transcripts either in sealed, confidential envelopes, which may take weeks to deliver, or through an electronic submission.
If an essay is required, follow directions for the length and content. Check for typos and grammar, and have a colleague read and critique it. Demonstrating strong writing skills and communicating a clear mes- sage may be the deciding factor for admission into the program.
Some schools will conduct interviews. If you plan to do a face-
to-face interview, dress professionally and arrive early. For a phone interview, set up a time when there will be no interruptions and you
Work, Life, and School in Balance As nurses, we know the importance of work and life balance and also have tried to teach our patients balance. Returning to school, whether as a recent graduate or after years as a nurse, adds a new stressor into your life. Plan ahead and work with your family and support system on successful navigation of work, family, school, and self-care. Although there will be challenges, plan for eating healthy, exercise, and adequate rest.
Finding Your First APRN Position Once you are ready to apply for positions, recheck the requirements in the states you plan to seek employment:
• Have I met the requirements to practice in this state?
• Do I have the appropriate certification required to practice in this state?
• Does my training/experience match within the scope of practice required to practice?
• Have I checked with professional organizations for employment listings?
• Have I “networked?”
Practice Agreements and Full Authority State regulations will continue to vary until uniformity of practice can be achieved through all states accepting and implementing the Consensus Model.2 The responsibility of adhering to the state practice and licensure laws falls on each APRN. The American Association of
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The financial aid office at the university provides a range of potential funding options, including government grants, private and government loans, and scholarships. Apply for each scholarship for which you are eligible. Search the APRN website of the professional organization to find additional suggestions for financial assistance.
can be in a quiet area. Prepare for interviews by reviewing your essay as it may be referred to in the interview. Think about your goals and what you can bring to the profession as an APRN.
Financing Your Education Returning to school is a big investment in time and money. Besides the costs of tuition, textbooks, and supplies, consider the loss of income from the diversion of work time to school time. Prepare a financial plan with your family or significant other.
The expense should not be a deterrent to reaching the goal of ad- vanced education. Start with personal finances and savings to deter- mine the resources you have available. This will help determine how much funding you may need from other sources.
For those already employed, check for tuition reimbursement
programs sponsored by your employer. Many healthcare organizations support RNs returning to school and may fund tuition and even text- books. Be careful to check if there is an attached requirement to work at the organization for a specific number of years. The role of an APRN is different from that of an RN and may affect employment once the degree is attained.
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