The sections of the ACEN Accreditation Manual related to the self-review and Self-Study Report apply to all programs, including those located outside the United States and its Territories. All programs electing to participate in accreditation activities are required to abide by the policies (Visit the ACEN Policies Page) and procedures as outlined in the ACEN Accreditation Manual.
Length of Visit
International Accreditation visits for nursing programs located outside the United States and its Territories will be a minimum of five days for a single program. The onsite portion of the visit will be a minimum of three full days. A nursing education unit with more than a single nursing program or multiple locations may require additional days.
Assignment of Site Visit Team
Peer evaluators for international programs will be selected from a pool of peer evaluators. The number of peer evaluators will be determined by the ACEN and will be based on the program type(s), number of additional locations, and on-ground transportation logistics.
Responsibilities
The responsibilities of the Team Chair, Team Members, and nursing program as listed in the ACEN Accreditation Manual apply to all nursing programs, including those located outside the United States and its Territories. The following additional responsibilities apply in reference to visit arrangements:
Please note that all international nursing programs must pay all fees associated with the International Candidacy Advisory Visit and the accreditation site visit prior to any visit taking place. If any invoice received from the ACEN is not paid within an acceptable timeframe prior to any visit, the visit will be cancelled. The schedule of fees for international programs is available.
Area
Responsibility:
Nursing Education Unit
Responsibility:
Peer Evaluator/ACEN
Travel
Responsible for all travel costs incurred for each peer evaluator; air travel will be at business class or higher for each evaluator; International Candidacy Advisory Visit fees and airline travel expenses will be submitted prior to the International Candidacy Advisory Visit; additional fees incurred during the International Candidacy Advisory Visit will be submitted upon receipt of the invoice.
Responsible for arranging all local and on-ground transportation during the onsite visits subject to ACEN approval.
Responsible for working with the ACEN staffto book airfare in accordance with ACEN travelpolicy (ACEN books international travel for the peer evaluator but workswith the peer evaluator to determine the itinerary).
Hotel Accommodations
Responsible for arranging hotel accommodations for reviewers/peer evaluators following confirmation of visit dates and providing confirmation information to the Team Chair.
Responsible for directly paying the costs for hotel accommodations; accommodations are subject to ACEN approval.
Accommodations must include a separate, private room for each reviewer/peer evaluator at a hotel pre-approved by ACEN.
Food/Beverages
Provide customary food/beverages during the hours that reviewers/peer evaluators are on-campus or visiting clinical settings (e.g., lunch and bottled water); may make arrangements for restaurant(s) at hotel to be included in room arrangements (e.g., breakfast, dinner).
Food not provided by the program during the site visit will be invoiced to the program; reviewers/peer evaluators will be reimbursed for their expenses.
Interpreter and Translator Services
Responsible for providing and arranging professional interpreter services/devices during the visit as needed; interpreter and translator services are subject to ACEN approval.
Cultural Sensitivity
Provide information in advance of each visit related to customs, traditions, and expectations related to but not limited to dress and food.
Familiarization with local customs and traditions; review cultural packet provided by the ACEN prior to the visit.
Abide by customs and traditions to the fullest extent possible during the onsite visit.
Agenda for International Candidacy Advisory Visit
Proposed detailed agenda for each visit due to ACEN a minimum of eight weeks in advance of the visit.
Responsible for arranging interviews between reviewer/peer evaluators and the nurse administrator, administrators of the governing organization, faculty, clinical agency representatives, current students, graduates, public, general education faculty, and student services personnel.
Team Chair drafts agenda in collaboration with the nurse administrator.
Security
Prior to reviewer/peer evaluators’ travel, assessment will be made at the time of the visit to determine security needs for reviewers/peer evaluators. Arrangements and associated costs are the responsibility of the nursing program. All security arrangements are subject to ACEN approval.
The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) supports the interests of nursing education, nursing practice, and the public by providing specialized accreditation for all levels of nursing education and transition-to-practice programs.
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc.
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326
Sign up for the ACEN newsletter BRIDGES for accreditation news and updates.
