Accreditation tells you an independent body has reviewed the program against national standards for curriculum, preceptorship, mentoring, and outcomes. It's the closest thing to a quality guarantee in a crowded field.
ANCC PTAP
The Practice Transition Accreditation Program from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (part of the American Nurses Association) is the most widely recognized U.S. residency accreditation. PTAP sets standards across program leadership, organizational enculturation, development and design, practice-based learning, and quality outcomes. In our directory, over 1,100 of the 1,213 programs hold ANCC PTAP.
Vizient/AACN Nurse Residency Program
A widely used, evidence-based curriculum co-developed by Vizient and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). It's known for a strong, standardized 12-month curriculum and a large multi-site outcomes database. Programs may hold Vizient/AACN, PTAP, or both.
CCNE
The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accredits nursing education programs and also offers accreditation for entry-to-practice residency/fellowship programs. You'll see it less often on residencies than PTAP but it is a legitimate, rigorous standard.
How much should accreditation weigh?
A lot — but it isn't the only thing. An accredited program at a hospital you can't stand isn't the right choice. Use accreditation to build your shortlist, then weigh specialty fit, support, and culture (see how to choose). You can filter the directory to ANCC PTAP–accredited programs.