In today's challenging healthcare environment, nurses committed to professional continued education help maintain the standards of nursing practice and improve the health of the public. The American Nurses Association's (ANA) Scope and Standards for Practice for Nursing Professional Development serves as a foundation for the development of the ANCC Commission on Accreditation (COA) criteria.

The accrediting process is intended to strengthen and sustain the quality and integrity of continuing nursing education, making it worthy of public confidence. The extent to which each organization accepts and fulfills the responsibilities inherent in this process is a measure of its concern for quality in continuing nursing education and of its commitment to strive for and achieve excellence in its endeavors.

Accreditation is a voluntary process. Institutions choose to apply for accredited status at the ANCC. Once accredited, they agree to abide by the standards of the ANCC and to regulate themselves by taking responsibility for their own improvement.

Providing education directly to health care professionals is a unique opportunity to market your company as a leader in the health care industry. Accredited providers of continuing education give nursing professionals the assurance that they receive quality continuing education activities as prescribed by ANCC's rigorous accreditation process. Quality education for nurses is essential to quality patient care. Is your organization ANCC accredited?

Benefits of ANCC Accreditation

• Recognition by most state licensing boards.
• Indicates an organization's willingness to have their educational programs reviewed for adherence to objective national standards.
• Respect for achieving a high standard of excellence.
• Provides an avenue through which nurses can maintain professional competence.
• Promotes commitment to high quality nursing practice.

Accreditation by the ANCC provides assurance to the public, in particular to nursing and health care professionals, that an organization has been found to meet national standards, requirements and criteria.

ANCC Earns Prestigious International Certification for Operational Excellence

The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) has successfully achieved ISO 9001:2000 certification for professional services rendered in the administration of the Magnet Recognition Program® for excellence in healthcare organizations and the Accreditation Program for excellence in continuing nursing education. ISO 9001:2000 certification is the firmly established global standard for assuring stakeholders of an organization's ability to satisfy quality-related requirements.