Board of Nursing Approval of Registered Nurse Education Programs

Board of nursing (BON) approval of registered nurse (RN) education programs is vital for protecting the public. The purpose of BON program approval is to ensure the program comprehensively covers the knowledge and skills that students will need to be licensed as an RN and to practice safely and competently as new graduate nurses. Most states require BONs to approve a nursing program before it is open for enrollment and then monitor all programs on an ongoing basis. This article presents key regulatory components of RN education programs, discusses the BON approval process of RN education programs, and identifies challenges and ideas for future consideration.