What Are the Advantages of Attending Accredited Nursing Schools?

Choosing to attend a nursing school is the first big step toward a great career path. Currently there are hundreds of schools across the nation offering nursing programs, so it can be hard to decide which one is best for you. However, if you want to get the most out of your education, and build your resume effectively, you will need to find an accredited school to attend. 

What is Accreditation?

Accredited schools are those schools which have proven that they meet a minimum set of industry standards for educational quality based on requirements set forth by a number of different agencies and professional organizations. Schools that have achieved accreditation are monitored for performance and graduation rates by these organizations to en
sure that their students are getting the best possible instruction. Any school you are seriously considering should have their accreditation information prominently displayed as a badge of honor so you can look into the organizations that have recognized their program and compare schools side by side. 

Types of Accreditation

There are two main types of accreditation that schools can qualify for. Regional accreditation usually means that the school is backed by local organizations specific to their area and industry. For instance, the Ohio Board of Nursing keeps a close eye on accredited nursing schools in Ohio to make sure they meet the state level mandates. Credits earned at regionally accredited nursing schools are generally recognized by and transferable to all related schools and programs in the area because they all fall under the same regional compliance standards.

National accreditation is a slightly more lenient form of accreditation. Nationally accredited nursing schools meet minimum standards for the industry in a more general sense, but are not necessarily up to the same level as regionally recognized schools. There is less guarantee that these credits will transfer from one place to another due to differences in expectations. 

How Accreditation Helps You

If your career is just beginning with one of the many accredited nursing schools, you have a long road ahead of you.  Attending a nursing school that is accredited will set you up for future success because you know you will have been properly prepared for the job before you arrive at your first job interview. In addition, when you choose to continue your education further into the medical field, credits and degrees from accredited schools will help push you along and can be the difference between whether or not you get accepted to the next program you apply for. 

The value of your degree will be far greater and more prestigious coming from accredited nursing schools than it would be from a school that does not have a proven track record for graduating highly skilled and competent nurses. Not only will it open up more job opportunities for you as a new graduate, but it will continue to work for you in the future as you gain experience and continue moving up the ladder through further education. 

To learn more about a career as a Practical Nurse, and whether it’s the right fit for you, schedule an appointment with Athena Career Academy today. One meeting with our Admissions counselors could help put you on the path to a successful new career that could change your life for the better. 

Athena Career Academy is located at:
5203 Airport Highway
Toledo, Ohio 43615
Hours: Monday - Friday 7:30AM to 4:30PM
Phone: (419) 329-4075