CCNE Standards Key Elements and Elaborations for Nursing Educational Program Accreditation

May 27, 2025October 27, 2024 by AfzaLalDin

The CCNE Standards Key Elements and Elaborations for Nursing Educational Program Accreditation. CCNE Standards, Key Elements, and Elaborations in Nursing Education, CCNE Accreditation Process in Nursing Education, Initial and Continuing Accreditation in Nursing Education.

The CCNE Standards Key Elements and Elaborations for Nursing Educational Program Accreditation

Accredited institutions undergo rigorous evaluations to assess the quality of their curriculum, teaching methods, faculty qualifications, and clinical training. This ensures a comprehensive education that prepares students for the challenges of modern healthcare.

ACEN is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) as the accrediting body for all types of nursing education programs.

There are two basic types of educational accreditation: institutional and specialized or programmatic. Institutional accreditation applies to an entire institution and signifies that every part of an institution contributes to its success.

CCNE Standards, Key Elements, and Elaborations in Nursing Education

Four CCNE standards with 23 key elements address mission and governance, institutional commitment and resources, curriculum, and teaching–learning practices. These standards address expected institutional performance, and the key elements provide direction in meeting the overall standard. The rationale for providing key elements is to provide nursing programs with the opportunity to interpret each key element at the broadest level, allowing for creativity and innovation.

Elaborations are provided for each key element and are used to help clarify and interpret each key element. At the end of each standard is a list of possible supporting documentation for the self-study and on-site visit that can be used to demonstrate compliance with the standard.

During the programmatic self-assessment process in preparation for an accreditation review, nursing programs are expected to address strengths, challenges, and an action plan for each standard, noting evidence of the ongoing improvement process in action.

CCNE provides self-study workshops and accreditation updates throughout each year to educate nursing programs about the CCNE accreditation process.

Nursing programs that possess CCNE accreditation or those that are in the process of seeking accreditation are required to use the professional standards and guidelines developed by the AACN. Programs can also use professional standards in addition to the AACN Essentials, such as the Criteria for Evaluation of Nurse Practitioner Programs (AACN, 2012).

Each program type has a specific set of “essentials” that guide the nursing program and its curriculum. These curricular essentials outline the expected outcomes needed for graduates of specific programs.

For example, The Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2008) are incorporated into CCNE accredited baccalaureate programs and specify the competencies needed in a baccalaureate graduate. AACN also promulgates essentials for MSN and DNP education.

CCNE Accreditation Process in Nursing Education

The CCNE accreditation process is like that used by other accreditation agencies. Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) (2009) identified a six-step accreditation process. The nursing program develops a self-study report that it uses to perform self-assessment of how its program meets the CCNE standards and key elements. An on-site visit is conducted, during which a peer evaluation team validate the self-study findings.

The peer evaluators are described as a fact-find in team. The evaluators prepare a report that describes whether the program complies with CCNE accreditation standards and the related key elements for each standard. The report of the evaluation team is sent to the nursing program and the administrator has the opportunity to respond to the report and clarify any areas in question.

The CCNE Accreditation Review Committee (ARC) reviews the self-study, the report of the evaluation team and the response of the program to the team report. The ARC makes a recommendation to the CCNE Board of Commissioners regarding accreditation.

The CCNE Board of Commissioners reviews the ARC recommendation and decides whether to grant initial or continuing approval, deny approval, or withdraw accreditation of the program. The Board of Commissioner periodically reviews nursing programs between accreditation visits to monitor continued compliance with the standards.

Initial and Continuing Accreditation in Nursing Education

CCNE policies and procedures are available on the agency website Resources/overview. Current requirements mandate that the chief executive officer of the sponsoring institution and the chief nursing administrator begin the process for initial CCNE accreditation through request of program applicant status from CCNE.

The nursing program must demonstrate that the sponsoring institution is accredited, and that approval from the state board of nursing has been obtained. Applicant programs must show that they have the potential to meet the accreditation standards and pay the necessary fees.

Once applicant status is received, the nursing program has 2 years to complete the accreditation process, including development of a self-study document and scheduling an on-site visit. Nursing programs that receive initial CCNE accreditation are reviewed again 5 years after initial accreditation has been granted. A progress improvement report is submitted at the midpoint of the 5-year accreditation term.

Nursing programs that do not comply with CCNE accreditation standards do not receive accreditation recognition from CCNE. Nursing programs that seek reaffirmation of their CCNE accreditation are required to contact the agency 12 to 18 months prior to the planned on-site visit. The chief nursing administrator sends a letter of intent for reevaluation and possible dates for the on-site visit.

A 10-year term of continuing accreditation is granted by the CCNE Board of Commissioners for nursing programs found to be in compliance with all CCNE accreditation standards. CCNE reaffirms the accreditation of these programs based on the self-study and report of the on-site visit.

Nursing programs that are found out of compliance with CCNE accreditation standards may have their accreditation withdrawn. Programs have the opportunity to “show cause” as to why withdrawal of CCNE accreditation should not occur by responding to the concerns of the Board of Commissioners regarding lack of compliance.

There is a specified time frame during which a program can initiate a “show cause” action with CCNE. CCNE accreditation decisions are communicated to USDE, other applicable institutional accreditation agencies and the public, if applicable. Nursing programs that face denial or revocation of accreditation can appeal the decision per CCNE procedures.

Nursing programs have 10 days to begin the appeal process after receiving notification of an adverse accreditation decision. A Hearing Committee is appointed by the chair of the CCNE Board of Commissioners. The purpose of the committee is to review all written evidence and oral testimony provided during the appeal process.

During the appeal process, the appellant nursing program bears the burden of proof. The Hearing Committee submits a written recommendation to the Board of Commissioners to affirm the adverse accreditation decision or to remand the action for reconsideration by the Board of Commissioners. Information about all aspects of the CCNE accreditation process is located on the AACN website: www.aacn.nche.edu.

CCNE Standards Key Elements and Elaborations for Nursing Educational Program Accreditation

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