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FORT MYERS - A Missouri graduate school says as long as Edison's bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program lacks national accreditation students won't meet their admission requirements.

But that's not what Edison told us last week - using that same university as "proof" grad schools would admit their students even though they currently lack a national accreditation.

Accreditation isn't mandatory but many grad schools, including FGCU, require it for admission into their masters nursing programs.

Last week, Edison officials sent us a list of 16 grad schools, in and out of state, that they said "have confirmed" to them they would consider their BSN nursing students for admission. 

But when Fox 4 called the schools on the list we discovered at least one of them, Graceland University in suburban Kansas City, Mo., is questioning how they got on the list in the first place.

"If a [BSN nursing] student's graduating from Edison State College, their program is not accredited, would you accept one of their students?," asked Fox 4 reporter Matt Grant.

"No," said associate nursing dean Dr. Jan Rice, who had no idea why they were on the list.

In order to get into Graceland 's master of science in nursing program, you need a BSN from a nationally accredited nursing program - and Edison's is not - and won't be until next year at the earliest.

"I don't know where they got that information," said Rice. "They couldn't say who they had talked with so I can't verify that they actually even did talk with somebody."

Nor could we.

Fox 4 asked Edison officials for any e-mail correspondence with Graceland University. They sent us e-mails from other colleges saying they would consider admitting Edison's nursing students.

But they could not provide us anything from anyone at Graceland.

"We were not aware that we were on this list," said Rice. "It's unfortunate but evidently maybe there are schools that do accept applications or make exceptions in certain cases [for non-accredited nursing programs]. I don't know. We just don't happen to be one of those."

A college spokesperson originally agreed to an interview but backed out. In a statement, the college says Graceland gave them a "verbal confirmation" but said it was ultimately a "miscommunication."

Edison Statement:

"One of our baccalaureate graduates had applied to Graceland University's MSN program and had been informed by them that she would be considered for admission. Graceland University's Dean of Nursing has since told us there has been a miscommunication. Their Registrar had checked our accreditation status, which according to their sources, Edison State College has the NLNAC accreditation, however it did not specify which program. While our RN program is NLNAC accredited, our BSN program is in candidacy status. Graceland University is working directly with this student. We had initially included Graceland University as one of the options our graduates could consider as a result of a verbal confirmation from them to us. We continue to work directly with our students to assist them in any way we can, including letters of support to include with their application materials and contacting the schools of their choice on their behalf."

Matt Grant, Reporter
mgrant@fox4now.com