NLN CNEA STANDARDS OF ACCREDITATION 

The NLN CNEA five Standards of 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. 


Update: The 2026 NLN CNEA Standards of Accreditation have been released! Review the Standards and associated resources today. Full compliance is required by July 1, 2027.

LEARN MORE & DOWNLOAD

NLN CNEA STANDARDS OF ACCREDITATION 

The NLN CNEA five Standards of 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. 


Update: The 2026 NLN CNEA Standards of Accreditation have been released! Review the Standards and associated resources today. Full compliance is required by July 1, 2027.

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

PREPARING FOR A PROGRAM EVALUATION SITE VISIT: STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS

JULY 14 |  3 - 4 P.M. ET |  $60


  • Describe the preparation process for a program evaluation visit.
  • Discuss what to expect from the site visit team (on-campus or virtual).
  • Explain the review process following the on-site program evaluation visit.

REGISTER

SUPPORTING STUDENTS THROUGH ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES TO TEACHING, LEARNING, AND EVALUATION

AUGUST 4 |  3 - 4 P.M. ET |  $60


  • Critique common teaching, learning, and evaluation strategies used in nursing education.
  • Design alternate approaches to teaching, learning, and evaluation appropriate to learner population and based on best practices in nursing education.

REGISTER

NLN CNEA STANDARD I: CULTURE OF EXCELLENCE - PROGRAM OUTCOMES

AUGUST 25 |  3 - 4 P.M. ET |  $60


  • Describe NLN CNEA Standard I. 
  • Explain the related interpretative guidelines and implications for programs pursuing NLN CNEA accreditation.
  • Provide examples of data (evidence) that programs can be offered to support compliance with Standard I.

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

PREPARING FOR A PROGRAM EVALUATION SITE VISIT: STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS

JULY 14 |  3 - 4 P.M. ET |  $60


  • Describe the preparation process for a program evaluation visit.
  • Discuss what to expect from the site visit team (on-campus or virtual).
  • Explain the review process following the on-site program evaluation visit.

REGISTER

SUPPORTING STUDENTS THROUGH ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES TO TEACHING, LEARNING, AND EVALUATION

AUGUST 4 |  3 - 4 P.M. ET |  $60


  • Critique common teaching, learning, and evaluation strategies used in nursing education.
  • Design alternate approaches to teaching, learning, and evaluation appropriate to learner population and based on best practices in nursing education.

REGISTER

NLN CNEA STANDARD I: CULTURE OF EXCELLENCE - PROGRAM OUTCOMES

AUGUST 25 |  3 - 4 P.M. ET |  $60


  • Describe NLN CNEA Standard I. 
  • Explain the related interpretative guidelines and implications for programs pursuing NLN CNEA accreditation.
  • Provide examples of data (evidence) that programs can be offered to support compliance with Standard I.

REGISTER

FEATURED NEWS & UPDATES

FEATURED NEWS

& UPDATES

award

June 29, 2026

The NLN CNEA has released the updated Standards of Accreditation (2026). The Standards are streamlined and allow more program flexibility. Programs are encouraged to view the Standards and associated resources today. Compliance with the new Standards is required by July 1, 2027.

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June 4, 2026

The 2026 Call for Nominations is now closed. The Ballot will be released in August for program administrators to vote on behalf of their program.

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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