NLN CNEA STANDARDS FOR ACCREDITATION 

The NLN CNEA five Standards for Accreditation are essential to providing a national and global quality assurance framework through which nursing programs of all types, including distance education programs, can act to implement and achieve excellence in nursing education. 

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NLN CNEA STANDARDS FOR ACCREDITATION 

The NLN CNEA five Standards for Accreditation are essential to providing a national and global quality assurance framework through which nursing programs of all types, including distance education programs, can act to implement and achieve excellence in nursing education. 

LEARN MORE & DOWNLOAD

DISCOVER NLN CNEA

DISCOVER

NLN CNEA

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EVENTS

SELF-PACED, SELF-DIRECTED COURSES

Accreditation-driven Innovations in Teaching, Learning, and Evaluation in Nursing Education

$300

  • Critique common teaching, learning, and evaluation strategies used in nursing education.
  • Design alternate approaches to teaching, learning, and evaluation appropriate to student population and best practices in nursing education.
  • Integrate the continuous quality improvement process when revising teaching, learning, and evaluation strategies in nursing education.

Unlock the Secret to Program Success Using the Systematic Evaluation Plan

$350

  • Describe the systematic evaluation plan (SEP) and its use in the evaluation of nursing programs.
  • Analyze appropriateness of a program's SEP.
  • Construct a manageable SEP that helps drive continuous quality improvement efforts.
  • Develop a data collection and analysis calendar to track program evaluation activities.

Writing Your NLN CNEA Self-study Report

$350

  • Describe the NLN CNEA accreditation process.
  • Explain the purpose and role of the self-study report in the NLN CNEA accreditation process.
  • Describe the format and elements of the self-study report.
  • Analyze ways to document program compliance with the NLN CNEA Accreditation Standards when preparing the self-study report.
  • Describe strategies used to engage faculty and staff in the preparation of the self-study report.

REGISTER

APPLYING FOR NLN CNEA PRE‑ACCREDITATION

MAY 12 |  3 - 4 P.M. ET |  FREE


  • Describe the policies related to applying for NLN CNEA pre-accreditation candidacy.
  • Describe the NLN CNEA pre-accreditation candidacy application process.

REGISTER

ACADEMIC ADMINISTRATORS: LEADING ASSESSMENT, EVALUATION, AND ACCREDITATION ACTIVITIES

JUNE 2 |  2:30 - 4 P.M. ET |  $99


  • Describe the role of the nursing academic administrator in promoting continuous quality improvement initiatives.
  • Explain initial and continuing accreditation preparation.
  • Discuss NLN CNEA reporting requirements.

REGISTER

FINDING YOUR WAY AFTER CURRICULUM MAPPING: EVALUATION IN A COMPETENCY-BASED CURRICULUM

JUNE 23 |  3 - 4 P.M. ET |  $60


  • Describe how to use nursing program curriculum maps to guide program assessment.
  • Differentiate between direct and indirect data collection.
  • Propose effective quality assessment and evaluation approaches needed in a systematic evaluation plan appropriate for a competency-based nursing program. 

REGISTER

SELF-PACED, SELF-DIRECTED COURSES

Accreditation-driven Innovations in Teaching, Learning, and Evaluation in Nursing Education

$300

  • Critique common teaching, learning, and evaluation strategies used in nursing education.
  • Design alternate approaches to teaching, learning, and evaluation appropriate to student population and best practices in nursing education.
  • Integrate the continuous quality improvement process when revising teaching, learning, and evaluation strategies in nursing education.

Unlock the Secret to Program Success Using the Systematic Evaluation Plan

$350

  • Describe the systematic evaluation plan (SEP) and its use in the evaluation of nursing programs.
  • Analyze appropriateness of a program's SEP.
  • Construct a manageable SEP that helps drive continuous quality improvement efforts.
  • Develop a data collection and analysis calendar to track program evaluation activities.

Writing Your NLN CNEA Self-study Report

$350

  • Describe the NLN CNEA accreditation process.
  • Explain the purpose and role of the self-study report in the NLN CNEA accreditation process.
  • Describe the format and elements of the self-study report.
  • Analyze ways to document program compliance with the NLN CNEA Accreditation Standards when preparing the self-study report.
  • Describe strategies used to engage faculty and staff in the preparation of the self-study report.

REGISTER

APPLYING FOR NLN CNEA PRE‑ACCREDITATION

MAY 12 |  3 - 4 P.M. ET |  FREE


  • Describe the policies related to applying for NLN CNEA pre-accreditation candidacy.
  • Describe the NLN CNEA pre-accreditation candidacy application process.

REGISTER

ACADEMIC ADMINISTRATORS: LEADING ASSESSMENT, EVALUATION, AND ACCREDITATION ACTIVITIES

JUNE 2 |  2:30 - 4 P.M. ET |  $99


  • Describe the role of the nursing academic administrator in promoting continuous quality improvement initiatives.
  • Explain initial and continuing accreditation preparation.
  • Discuss NLN CNEA reporting requirements.

REGISTER

FINDING YOUR WAY AFTER CURRICULUM MAPPING: EVALUATION IN A COMPETENCY-BASED CURRICULUM

JUNE 23 |  3 - 4 P.M. ET |  $60


  • Describe how to use nursing program curriculum maps to guide program assessment.
  • Differentiate between direct and indirect data collection.
  • Propose effective quality assessment and evaluation approaches needed in a systematic evaluation plan appropriate for a competency-based nursing program. 

REGISTER

FEATURED NEWS & UPDATES

FEATURED NEWS

& UPDATES

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May 4, 2026

The final call for comments for the NLN CNEA Standards of Accreditation is now closed. The Standards will move to final revision and approval by the Board. Programs will be notified with next steps once the Standards are approved.

CURRENT STANDARDS

April 2, 2026

The 2026 Call for Nominations is now open until June 4. Individuals can apply to Board and Nominations Committee positions with terms starting on January 1, 2027.

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Comments

March 17, 2026

The NLN CNEA has released an updated Accreditation Handbook: Policies and Procedures (2026). There were minor editorial changes made since the July 1, 2025 release.

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Choosing the NLN Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA) for our accreditation was a decision driven by their reputation for fostering open, effective communication and setting transparent, attainable standards. The accreditation journey with the NLN CNEA has been collaborative, emphasizing continuous quality improvement over punitive measures, which has empowered our RN to BSN and MSN programs to not only meet but exceed educational benchmarks. Our experience with the NLN CNEA has been instrumental in enhancing the quality and recognition of our nursing education programs.

Brooke McAtee, PhD, MSN, RN

Director of the Nursing Programs

Provost Fellow

Northwest Missouri State University   | Maryville, MO