What is an Advisory Review?

An Advisory Review is a customized consulting experience designed to support programs as they navigate the accreditation process.

Advisory Reviews complement ACEN’s workshops, courses, and other educational resources by offering a more personalized, program-specific experience. Each review is shaped around your program’s goals and questions, allowing for meaningful dialogue and targeted guidance.

Advisory Reviews are:

• Customized to your program’s unique needs, questions, and stage in the accreditation process
• Collaborative, allowing for open dialogue and focused discussion
• Flexible in format, scope, and timing
• Led by an ACEN Director who brings both accreditation expertise and firsthand experience as a nurse educator

Programs may choose to focus on leadership questions, interpretation of Standards and Criteria, documentation development, accreditation planning, or other topics relevant to their accreditation journey.

How Advisory Review Supports Programs at Different Stages

Programs in Candidacy

For programs seeking initial accreditation, Advisory Reviews can help:

• Clarify accreditation expectations and timelines
• Build a stronger understanding of the Standards and Criteria
• Prepare key accreditation documents with greater confidence
• Identify areas that may benefit from early attention
• Establish a solid foundation for progressing through the accreditation process

Currently Accredited Programs

For programs preparing for continuing accreditation, Advisory Reviews can help:

• Navigate changes or updates to Standards and Criteria since the last review
• Assess readiness for upcoming milestones or site visits
• Identify potential gaps that may not have surfaced during prior site visits
• Reduce last-minute revisions by addressing questions earlier
• Prepare more efficiently while balancing ongoing program responsibilities

Why Programs Value Advisory Review

Many programs find that early, focused guidance helps reduce uncertainty and workload later in the accreditation process.

Advisory Reviews allow programs to:

• Ask specific, program-focused questions
• Receive feedback aligned with current accreditation expectations
• Engage leadership and faculty together in shared understanding
• Plan proactively rather than reactively

Because each review is customized, programs control the scope, depth, and focus of the discussion.

Reviews may include nurse administrators, faculty, accreditation coordinators, and other members of the program team, helping build shared understanding and support coordinated preparation.

How and When Reviews Take Place

• Reviews may be conducted by phone, video-conference, or in person.
• The format and focus are determined collaboratively to best support your program’s goals.
• Pricing information is available in the Schedule of Fees.

What Programs Have Shared

“I cannot express how much it helped to have the review. Without the review, I know the site visit would not have gone as smoothly as it did.

I liked that the advisor took time to review the Standards we were working on and then met with us face-to-face via video conference. I had my entire faculty attend.

Afterwards, everyone had a better idea of the direction we should be going in, and we were able to make changes and resubmit materials to confirm we understood the recommendations.”

Dr. Cynthia Stinson
Chair, JoAnne Gay Dishman School of Nursing
Lamar University
Beaumont, Texas

Frequently Asked Questions

‍A face-to-face Advisory Review is not a mock visit.