Accreditation

Accreditation

Penn Nursing first achieved the maximum accreditation standing through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) in 2004, and we are scheduled to undergo evaluation again in September 2023 for our Baccalaureate and Master’s Programs. CCNE evaluated our DNP Program and Post-Graduate APRN Certificate Program in April 2021 and granted maximum accreditation through December 2026. CCNE, the accrediting branch of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), is officially recognized by the US Department of Education for baccalaureate and higher degree programs. Prior to 2004, Penn Nursing was accredited by the National League for Nursing.

Additionally, selected programs must meet the accreditation requirements of accrediting bodies specific for their specialty focus. The Council on Accreditation (COA) monitors the progress of nurse anesthesia programs, and Penn Nursing’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Nurse Anesthesia Program is fully approved. The Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME) reviewed Penn Nursing’s Nurse-Midwifery Program during a Virtual Site Visit in September 2021. In February 2022, the ACME Board of Review granted the Nurse-Midwifery Program full 10-year reaccreditation status through February 2032. 

Pass Rate

Pass rates reflect the educational quality and rigor of our programs, and we’re proud to share our student outcomes below.

Undergraduate

NCLEX results reflect first attempt pass rate.

BSN/ABSN

NCLEX-RN 2020-2021: 94.6% 2019 Pass Rate: 100%
Administering Organization: National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)

Master’s

Master’s program certification results reflect candidates who sat for exams for calendar year January to December.

Adult Gerontology Acute Care NP

2020 Overall Pass Rate: 100%
2020 First Attempt Pass Rate: 100%

Certification Organization: The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB)

Family NP

AANPCB 2020 Overall Pass Rate: 100%
AANPCB 2020 First Attempt Pass Rate: 100%
ANCC 2020 Overall Pass Rate: N/A*

ANCC 2020 First Attempt Pass Rate: N/A*

Certification Bodies: The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) and American Nurse Credential Center (ANCC)

*COVID-19 pandemic related delays required students to sit for examination in the following calendar year. Consequently, no students in this program sat for board certification examination through this certification body in the 2020 reporting year.

NEONATAL NP

2020 Overall Pass Rate: 100%
2020 First Attempt Pass Rate: 100%

Certification Organization: National Certification Corporation (NCC)

Pediatric Acute CARE NP

2020 Overall Pass Rate: 97%
2020 First Attempt Pass Rate: 73%

2019 Overall Pass Rate: 100%
2019 First Attempt Pass Rate: 88%

Certification Organization: Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB)

Pediatric Primary CARE NP

2020 Overall Pass Rate: 100%
2020 First Attempt Pass Rate: 50%

2019 Overall Pass Rate: 100%
2019 First Attempt Pass Rate: 91%

Certification Organization: Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB)

Psychiatric Mental Health NP

2020 Overall Pass Rate: 100%
2020 First Attempt Pass Rate: 100%

Certification Organization: American Nurse Credential Center (ANCC)

Women’s Health/Gender-Related NP

2020 Overall Pass rate: 100%
2020 First Attempt Pass Rate: 100%

Certification Organization: National Certification Corporation (NCC)

NURSE-Midwifery

2020 Overall Pass Rate: 100%
2020 First Attempt Pass Rate: 100%

Certification Organization: American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB)

DOCTOR OF NUrsing practice

Doctor of Nursing Practice program certification results reflect candidates who sat for exams in January to December of the reporting year.

NURSE ANESTHESIA

2020 Overall Pass Rate: 100%
2020 First Attempt Pass Rate: 93%

Certification Organization: National Certification Exam (NCE)

For more info, please contact our Admissions office.

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	Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) The University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs and the Master’s of Science Nurse Practitioner programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
	Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing The University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs and the Master’s of Science Nurse Practitioner programs are approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.
	Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) The University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing’s Nurse Anesthesia program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA).
	Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME) The University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing’s Nurse Midwifery program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME).