Quality outcomes and program evaluation in nursing education: an overview of the journey.

Program evaluation, accreditation, and ongoing quality improvement are complex, interrelated processes in nursing education. The purpose of this article is to provide a general overview of the process of evaluation and accreditation with continuous quality improvement that is required for formal nursing education programs in the United States. This article discusses core components of nursing program evaluation, regional and national accreditation, state boards of nursing and licensure, and the role of specialty certification in nursing. A case study of a private college of nursing illustrates the role of program evaluation and quality improvement in nursing education.