Which term refers to the formal review and approval by a recognized agency of nursing education programs?

• A. Accreditation
• B. Certification
• C. Education
• D. The Code of Ethics for Nurses

Answer: (A)

Accreditation is the formal review and approval by a recognized agency of nursing education programs. This process evaluates a program’s curriculum, faculty qualifications, resources, student outcomes, and ongoing improvement plans against established standards. When a program meets these standards, it earns accreditation, signaling quality and accountability and often enabling eligibility for licensure processes and funding. This differs from certification, which applies to individual nurses confirming competence in a specialty; education refers to the overall teaching and learning activities, not the official approval of a program; and the Code of Ethics for Nurses provides ethical guidelines, not a mechanism for program evaluation.