FAQ

The CASN accreditation program is voluntary in most provinces and territories. In Newfoundland and Labrador, the Association of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador and in British Columbia the British Columbia College of Nurses have used CASN accreditation process results as a key input to their approval process. In the past decade, the Nova Scotia College of Nurses, Nurses Association of New Brunswick, College of Regulated Nurses of Manitoba and Saskatchewan Registered Nurses Association shave held joint or integrated approval and accreditation processes.

Path A is the term for an accreditation review recommended for new schools of nursing, new partnerships offering nursing education programs, new nursing education programs. This path offers the opportunity for a formative review of the program or partnership against the CASN accreditation standards during the initial implementation period, and a summative review once the program has graduated students. The purpose of a path A review is to assess how well the educational unit(s) and nursing education program(s) are developing in relation to CASN accreditation standards. A successful path A review allows students to graduate from an accredited institution and program. The school(s) must undergo a Path B review within two years of the first graduates to determine the progress on how the educational unit(s) and nursing education program(s) are continuing to meet the CASN accreditation standards. Path B reviews that follow a Path A review focus on unmet and partially met key elements and evidence that has changed since the previous accreditation review.

Accreditation is recognized worldwide as an important, objective method to review professional education programs to identify strengths, vulnerabilities, and opportunities for improvement. There is a need to assess the quality of education programs in light of the globalization of education (specifically, distance delivery, satellite and offshore programs), the mobility of students and professionals and with increasing education costs, students, parents, taxpayers and institutions want to be assured of program quality. Schools of Nursing use accreditation reviews to identify areas for development, to provide evidence of resource deficiencies to senior administrators, to guide important decisions about expansion of students, and to guide changes in, or the continuation of, programs.

Accreditation reviews are currently being conducted virtually. For more detailed information, please contact Joni Boyd, Managing Director, Accreditation & Evaluation by e-mail at jboyd@casn.ca.

Path B applies to existing School(s) of Nursing with ongoing nursing education program(s) which has/have graduates from the program. Typically, the school(s) of nursing holds/hold a current accreditation status from CASN. Path B is a one step process; a summative review to determine whether the educational unit and nursing education program are meeting CASN accreditation standards. See “What is Path A Accreditation for further information about Path B accreditation visits that follow a Path A review.

The fee schedule for accreditation of CASN member schools is set by the CASN Board of Directors and is approved by CASN Council. Using the CASN accreditation fee schedule, the CASN Accreditation Bureau determines the exact fees for accreditation of each organization at the time of application. The CASN Accreditation Bureau presents a rationale for the accreditation fees charged to a school, and schools may appeal the fee if necessary. When an in-person accreditation visit takes place, schools are also responsible for the cost of travel, accommodation and meals for the review team members. Fees for international schools are negotiated with the school and set out in a memorandum of understanding. Note that schools may hold reviews baccalaureate, practical nurse, nurse practitioner and internationally educated nurse bridging programs simultaneously. This can lead to cost efficiencies. For detailed information, please contact Joni Boyd, Managing Director, Accreditation and Evaluation by e-mail at jboyd@casn.ca.

Contact the Accreditation Team: Joni Boyd, Managing Director, Accreditation and Evaluation at jboyd@casn.ca