POSITION STATEMENT ON ACCREDITATION OF INTERNATIONAL NURSING EDUCATION PROGRAMS

NLNAC is committed to quality in all types of nursing education programs and encourages self evaluation, peer review, and the promotion of educational equity, access, and mobility through the functions of accreditation. Recognizing that educational institutions are expanding their programs to foster access and that such expansion initiatives increasingly involve global outreach efforts, NLNAC will extend the benefits of accreditation to include those programs with activities of global engagement.

NLNAC asserts that accreditation is a voluntary, self-regulatory process by which non-governmental entities recognize educational institutions or programs that have been found to meet or exceed standards and criteria for educational quality. NLNAC acknowledges that nursing education programs located outside of the United States and its territories can benefit from adherence to best practices and generally-accepted guidelines for nursing education incorporated in the NLNAC Standards and Criteria. In order to fulfill its mission to support the interests of nursing education, nursing practice, and the public, NLNAC seeks to broaden the impact of accreditation to encompass nursing education programs across the globe.

Therefore, in a spirit of cooperation, openness, and mutual respect consistent with its organizational values, NLNAC has initiated the development of a model for accreditation and related services for international nursing education programs.

APPROVED BY BOC FEBRUARY 26, 2010