A Collaborative Model for Approval of Prelicensure Nursing Programs

Currently, boards of nursing (BONs) use seven different models for approving nursing programs, and nursing education rules and regulations in BONs are not consistent across jurisdictions.  In 2010, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing’s (NCSBN) Board of Directors convened a committee to assess the state of prelicensure nursing program approval in BONs and to make recommendations to the NCSBN’s board based on current and future needs.  This article describes the committee’s collaborative engagement with national accreditors and the recommendations that resulted.