What we accredit
Details of Accredited events can be found on the Non-RCN events and conference page.
The RCN accredits a range of learning initiatives including educational events, resources and courses.
Although educational and subject standards need to be met, in order to qualify for accreditation, there is no prescribed format to how an accredited initiative should be presented. An application for accreditation is assessed on its relevance to nursing and nursing practice and that of the wider health care family, along with overall quality, organisation and content of the initiative.
We have split learning and training initiatives into four categories.
1. Educational events
This includes conferences, study days, workshops or seminars and courses lasting one to three days (without any formal assessment). Events can be accredited as a one off occurrence or on an annual basis, up to a total of three years.
Apply for accreditation of an event
2. Short professional courses, modules and programmes of study
Accreditation is offered for short courses ranging from those of four days or more to much longer courses or modules validated by another body, such as a university or one within the NVQ framework. These courses would have a clear clinical or work related focus and contain formal assessment. These are accredited on an annual basis, up to a total of three years.
Apply for accreditation of a short professional course
3. Advanced Nurse Practitioner Programmes
The RCN Accreditation Unit has been accrediting Nurse Practitioner degree programmes since 2002 and to date has accredited in excess of 20 programmes across the country from Bournemouth to Aberdeen including Distance Learning students accessing the course from as far afield as China, Pakistan and Nigeria via Cumbria University.
HEIs who wish to gain RCN accreditation for their advanced nurse practitioner programmes must meet the standards and criteria for collaborating HEIs, as set out in: Competencies Advanced Nurse Practitioners an RCN guide (PDF 1.5MB)
Apply for accreditation of an Advanced Nurse Practitioner Programme
4. Educational resources
This category includes flip charts, DVDs or CD ROMs, slide presentations for nurses to use with patients or colleagues, e-learning and web-based educational resources, books and training manuals, and toolkits.
These resources are accredited for a three year period.
Apply for accreditation of a resource
5. RCN accredited books
We are very pleased that the RCN has accredited its first 2 books:
Public Health Practice and the School-age Population
Competencies for Advanced Nursing Practice
Books are an invaluable resource to health care professionals and can gain value from RCN Accreditation. The rigorous review process that RCN Accreditation provides assures users that learning and training initiatives meet the high quality standards associated with the RCN.