Studying
Nursing in America
As
Americans find study abroad exciting, the same is
true when one considers studying in America. For those
interested in nursing, the United States offers many
opportunities. So many in fact, that it can be confusing,
with over 3,000 nursing programs spread throughout
every state in the United States. Additionally, these
programs range from pre-professional through master's
speciality programs and doctoral study.
Perhaps
the most important issue when one considers studying
any subject, especially in a foreign country, is to
be able to select a program in which you have confidence.
In nursing, prospective students are assisted in this
effort by the voluntary process of accreditation.
The second issue is the type of program. In the United
States, there are several types of nursing programs.
Evaluating
the level of excellence of a course of study or a
college is often difficult, and accrediting bodies
have been developed to address this need. The National
League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC)
is the entity which is presently authorized by the
Department of Education (of the United States) to
accredit all nursing education schools and programs.
Nursing programs voluntarily request to participate
in the process as one way to demonstrate their level
of excellence.
The
purposes of the accreditation of education programs
are to:
Accreditation
serves to provide assurance that schools and programs
meet or exceed agreed upon standards and criteria.
The accreditation process in nursing requires a rigorous
self-evaluation by the program, an appraisal by respected
and competent peers, and a subsequent review and decision
by the NLNAC governing body. Periodic re-examinations
are required in order to ensure that standards and
criteria are being maintained, areas in which improvement
is needed are identified, and plans are developed
for addressing needed improvements. NLNAC annually
published a list of programs which continue to achieve
an acceptable level of quality. Ultimately, the public,
the community, and the nation benefit from educated
nurses.
Accreditation
practice is an examination of three major aspects
of program quality: resources invested, processes
followed, and results achieved. Such an approach starts
with a review and confirmation of the adequacy of
resources available to the program, including reasonable
and dependable expectations of its particular student
population (academic preparation, education goals,
and socioeconomic status). The program then sets program
goals which reflect the expected results of program
efforts, given the mix of resources available. The
evidence is then compiled to confirm the progress
which is being made toward these goals over time.
NLNAC then tries to align results to program purpose,
including expected results in research and service
as well as student learning, depending on the purpose
of the program and the parent institution.
Types
of Nursing Program:
Baccalaureate Degree:
A
degree program affiliated with senior colleges and
universities, leading to the baccalaureate nursing
degree. Graduates are eligible for licensure as a
registered nurse, and employment in a variety of inpatient
care settings and ambulatory care settings, including
hospitals, community agencies, schools, industries,
home health care, and clinics. A baccalaureate degree
is required for additional preparation at the master's
and doctoral levels.
Master's
Degree:
A
program leading to a graduate degree with a major
in nursing offered by a senior college or university.
The
master's degree builds on the knowledge, skills and
competencies of baccalaureate nursing education, and
provides for the attainment of advanced knowledge
and speciality nursing practice. Graduates are prepared
to work in a variety of settings and a variety of
advanced practice nursing roles, such as Clinical
Nurse Specialist, Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Midwife,
Nurse Anesthetist, or Nurse Administrator. The master's
degree is usually required for entry into doctoral
study.
Nursing
Doctorate Degree:
A
post baccalaureate nursing doctorate curriculum provides
for entry into professional nursing practice, and
preparation for initial licensure.
Graduates
are prepared to practice within and across diverse
health care settings. This program is designed for
the person who holds a baccalaureate degree in another
field.
Associate
Degree:
A
program usually affiliated with junior, technical
and community colleges, leading to the associate degree
in nursing.
Some
associate degree programs are found in senior colleges
and universities. Associate degree programs are usually
two years in length, and include course work in general
education and nursing. Graduates are eligible for
licensure as a registered nurse, and are prepared
to practice in structured care settings.
Diploma:
Usually
a hospital-based program, with a course of study of
two to three years in length leading to the award
of a diploma.
There
may be an affiliation with a junior or senior college
for the general education component of the curriculum.
Graduates are eligible for licensure as registered
nurses, and are generally employed in hospitals and
long-term care facilities.
Practical
Nursing:
A
program one year in length leading to a diploma.
Programs
may be found in hospital settings, vocational settings,
or junior and community college settings. The graduate
is eligible for licensure as a licensed practical
nurse or licensed vocational nurse. The practical
nurse functions under the guidance and direction of
a registered nurse.
For
the student from abroad considering nursing, it would
be advantageous to include accreditation status as
part of your investigative process. By selecting an
accredited program, you can not only have confidence
in the quality of the program chosen, it will also
assure prospective employers of the quality of the
education you have received. The choice of program
type should be made based on your goals, and what
type of nursing you want to practice. Additional issues
like time and finances will also play a part in the
decision-making process.
If
you are already a nursing student and are considering
the possibility of taking one or two nursing courses
in the United States, it is essential that you consult
with your current faculty before starting your investigations.
Issues like transferability of credit for a particular
course need to be addressed, so that you can proceed
with confidence. Furthermore, your program may be
one of those which already has an established arrangement
with a nursing program in the United States.
For
information about accreditation of nursing programs
and the current directory of accredited programs,
see the NLNAC web page at www.accrediting-comm-ninac.org.
Author
Carol Gilbert, PhD, RN
NLNAC Associate Director
