It needs to be a measure above the regulatory requirements of minimum standards. Too often today, we are caught up in fads and fancy phrases which can get someone's attention but have little substance. We must move away from fads to focus our attention on the effective trends happening in health care and nursing education.

As a profession, nursing has the responsibility for its own definition and self-governance. Certainly, states play a role in the regulation of nursing. Because preparation of quality professionals across programs and states is essential, accreditation is also needed. Schools of nursing are aided by standards of practice of specialty groups but consistency across jurisdictions helps to develop a strong practice workforce.

I look to an accrediting agency to focus on quality, performance outcomes, and identification of practice knowledge and content which are consistent across programs. Accreditation should set forth expectations of program performance above minimums set by states.

Consistency across colleges and universities, as well as states, is a very important issue at the moment. At the same time it is worthwhile to note that consistency does not mean identical. We do not need a cookie cutter approach to program planning. Rather, we need a set of substantive guidelines which when implemented serve to produce a quality product. It is the very nature of American higher education to be different and often unique. Differing missions, philosophies, and student bodies serve to offer variety. Prospective students can chose from the broadest selection of higher education in the world. Students choosing nursing need to know that those programs accredited by a national nursing accrediting agency will offer a program which meets or exceeds standards considered appropriate by a body of nursing peers. Criteria and standards need to drive the designation of accreditation, not politics and relationships.

Because there is such a specific set of measurable outcomes, performance standards and professional behaviors, a specialty accrediting agency within nursing is needed. Although regional agencies may be used in concert with nursing accreditation agencies, it is not enough to use only regional accrediting agencies that focus on entire colleges or universities. A nursing accrediting agency is also required.