Online nursing degree programs announce accreditation

Online nursing degree programs announce accreditation

The opportunity for nurses to advance in their field has just been expanded for those who want to study online.

American Sentinel University, an online provider of professional education, has been granted accreditation for its online nursing degrees by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

The recognition "confirms that our mix of competency-based learning, clinical applications, real-world relevance and flexible format prepare students well for healthcare careers," said Catherine Gardner, dean of health professions at American Sentinel.

The newly-accredited program offers both Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) for registered nurses. The masters degree is in four specialties: case management, nursing informatics, management and organizational leadership, and nursing education.

The online nursing degree programs are one of many offered by American Sentinel, which was founded as a Vanderbilt University Technology Company and is accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council.

In March, CNN reported in a story on laid-off workers that registration for online degrees or professional certifications has substantially increased during the current economic downturn.

But having a program accredited has an extra bonus, said Natalie Nixon, American Sentinel's director of admissions. Some employers will not reimburse, or even recognize, online nursing degrees if they aren't accredited, she said.