Advanced Practice Programmes

RCN Accreditation of MSc Advanced Practice Programmes

• The only nationally recognised quality marker for Advanced Nurse Practitioner Programmes in the UK and provides a uniformity of standard and quality. 

• Accredited programmes are assessed against the combined RCN Advanced Nurse Practitioner Accreditation and Quality Assurance Standards for programme providers, ensuring that programmes are publicly recognised as being of a high standard.  

Why should learners always look for an RCN accredited Advanced Practice Programme?

• Nurses who graduate from RCN accredited MSc Advanced Practice Programmes, automatically gain the RCN Credential in Advanced Level Nursing Practice, at no cost for the first three-year cycle. Find out more here. 

• The RCN Accreditation quality mark provides evidence of relevant and quality CPD provision.

Why should Higher Education Institutions accredit their Advanced Practice Programmes?

• Successful accreditation demonstrates that programmes are up to date, of the highest quality and are effective in educating nurses to an Advanced Practice level. 
• Employers in both the public and independent sectors have long recognised the quality of graduates from RCN accredited programmes, recognising their commitment to best practice.

Benefits of RCN Accreditation

• Demonstrable evidence of adherence to RCNs quality standard, designed to promote best practice and leading to improved patient care
• Invaluable market differentiation and competitive advantage in a crowded market 
• Leverage the RCN brand’s reputation for excellence amongst advanced nurse practitioners, as well as their employers, who often sponsor attendance on programmes
• Receipt of valuable, specialist feedback from the external peer review process, as well as support in the development and monitoring of programmes
• Opportunity for benchmarking against current policy standards and workforce priorities for advanced nursing practice
• Can be undertaken alongside an existing programme’s validation cycle, keeping administration/resources to a minimum
• Unique marketing opportunity offered by the automatic award of the RCN Credential in Advanced Level Nursing Practice to successful MSc graduates

Successfully accredited programmes are promoted to RCN members through:

• Listings on the RCN Accreditation and RCN Credentialing website pages
• Use of RCN Logo and accreditation statement in providers’ marketing materials
• Annual email promotion to RCN Advanced Nurse Practitioner members
• RCN Regional Newsletters to members, on successful accreditation
• Offer of discounted rates on banner advertisements.