Accreditation

Notification About Upcoming Accreditation Visit in September 2023

On September 27-29, 2023, the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing (Penn Nursing) is scheduled for an on-site evaluation for the accreditation of its baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program, and Post-Graduate APRN Certificate program by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). CCNE is officially recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a national accreditation agency. CCNE ensures the quality and integrity of baccalaureate, graduate, and residency programs in nursing.

CCNE provides the opportunity for program constituents and other interested parties to submit, in writing, comments concerning a program’s qualifications for accreditation. Written third-party signed comments regarding programs must be received by CCNE by no later than 21 days prior to the first day of the scheduled on-site evaluation.

All third-party comments submitted to CCNE must be written in English, consistent with CCNE’s policy on Conduct of Business in English. If you would like to submit a third-party comment for any of the programs under review, please submit your comments directly to CCNE via email to thirdpartycomments@ccneaccreditation.org no later than September 6, 2023. Or, if you prefer, mail comments to:

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Attn: Third-Party Comments
655 K Street, NW, Suite 750
Washington, DC 20001

If you have any questions about this process, please contact CCNE staff at 202-887-6791 x268.

Accreditation

Penn Nursing first achieved the maximum accreditation standing through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) in 2004. 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 2021-2022: 90%
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 Primary Care NP

AANPCB 2022 Overall Pass Rate: 100%
AANPCB 2022 First Attempt Pass Rate: 100%

ANCC 2022 Overall Pass Rate: 100%
ANCC 2022 First Attempt Pass Rate: 100%

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

Adult Gerontology Acute Care NP

ANCC 2022 Overall Pass Rate: 95%
ANCC 2022 First Attempt Pass Rate: 95%

AACN 2022 Overall Pass Rate: 95%
AACN 2022 First Attempt Pass Rate: 100%

Certification Bodies: American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN)

Adult Gerontology Acute Care Post-Graduate APRN Certificate

ANCC 2022 Overall Pass Rate: 84%
ANCC 2022 First Attempt Pass Rate: 84%

AACN 2022 Overall Pass Rate: 88%
AACN 2022 First Attempt Pass Rate: 100%

Certification Bodies: American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN)

Family NP

ANCC 2022 Overall Pass Rate: 95%
ANCC 2022 First Attempt Pass Rate: 95%

Certification Bodies: American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)

NEONATAL NP

2022 Overall Pass Rate: 100%
2022 First Attempt Pass Rate: 100%

Certification Organization: National Certification Corporation (NCC)

Pediatric Acute CARE NP

2022 Overall Pass Rate: 100%
2022 First Attempt Pass Rate: 83%

Certification Organization: Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB)

Pediatric Primary CARE NP

2022 Overall Pass Rate: 100%
2022 First Attempt Pass Rate: 94%

Certification Organization: Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB)

Psychiatric Mental Health NP

2022 Overall Pass Rate: 100%
2022 First Attempt Pass Rate: 100%

Certification Organization: American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)

Women’s Health/Gender-Related NP

2022 Overall Pass Rate: 100%
2022 First Attempt Pass Rate: 100%

Certification Organization: National Certification Corporation (NCC)

NURSE-Midwifery

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

2022 Overall Pass Rate: 100%
2022 First Attempt Pass Rate: 86%

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. Mailing address: State Board of Nursing, P.O. Box 2649, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649
	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). Mailing address: 10275 W. Higgins Rd., Suite 906, Rosemont, IL 60018-5603
	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). Mailing address: Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME) c/o American College of Nurse-Midwives, Suite 1230, 8403 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910