Evaluation of a Nurse Practitioner Accreditation Program Pilot Study

In Canada, nurse practitioners (NPs) have been recognized as advanced practice nurses (APNs) for two decades. During this time, the number of NP education programs has increased and transitioned from post-baccalaureate to graduate and post-graduate level. In 2018, the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing's (CASN) board of directors passed a motion to provide a voluntary NP accreditation program. Three NP programs (one collaborative) volunteered to participate in an accreditation pilot study between 2019 and 2020. As part of quality improvement, a pilot study evaluation involving all NP stakeholders was completed by a post-doctoral nursing fellow who led structured virtual focus groups. These groups focused on the NP accreditation standards and key elements, developed by CASN, as well as the accreditation process. The purpose of the evaluation study was to ensure the accreditation process was relevant, responsive to the needs of the discipline and promoted high-quality NP education. The data was analyzed and synthesized using content analysis. Several areas of improvement were identified to avoid duplication and to provide consistency in communication and collection of accreditation data. The recommendations led to revisions of the accreditation standards, to strengthen them and resulted in the standards and accreditation manual being published earlier than expected. The three NP programs involved in the pilot study received accreditation. The new standards will be utilized in Canada to improve the consistency and quality of NP education programs in Canada and abroad in the coming years.