Review Teams

CASN accreditation is grounded in a rigorous peer-review process that advances quality, innovation, and excellence in nursing education. As a reviewer, you will join a team of respected peers who bring diverse expertise and a shared commitment to strengthening nursing programs across Canada and internationally.

Through on-site or virtual visits, review teams assess educational units and programs, provide constructive evidence-based feedback, and support continuous quality improvement. Each team is led by an experienced reviewer and is thoughtfully composed to reflect the scope and context of the review.

Becoming a CASN reviewer offers a unique opportunity to influence the future of nursing education, engage in meaningful professional development, and collaborate with leaders in the field.

Role of an Accreditation Reviewer

Reviewers are central to the integrity, credibility, and impact of the CASN accreditation program. As peer experts in nursing education, they play a key role in evaluating educational units and programs against CASN Accreditation Standards and contributing to continuous quality improvement across the discipline.

As part of a review team, CASN reviewers:

• Review program documentation in advance of an accreditation visit
• Participate in on-site or virtual accreditation visits 
• Engage in discussions with faculty, students, administrators, and practice partners
• Contribute to the assessment of compliance with accreditation standards
• Participate in the development of the accreditation report and provide both written and oral feedback to the institution
  

In their role, reviewers represent CASN and are required to uphold the highest standards of professional and ethical conduct. This includes maintaining confidentiality, respecting intellectual property, and contributing to a fair, objective, and collegial review process.

Selection and Qualifications of Reviewers

CASN maintains a pool of qualified anglophone and francophone reviewers through an annual nomination process. Reviewers are experienced nursing professionals selected for their expertise, judgment, and ability to contribute meaningfully to the accreditation process. They are recommended by the leadership of their respective institutions based on their experience in nursing education.

To be considered, reviewers typically meet the following criteria:

• Current or recent involvement in nursing education (e.g., faculty, leadership, curriculum, or evaluation roles) or retired within the past three years
• A minimum of five years of experience in nursing education relevant to the type and level of program being reviewed (e.g., practical nursing, baccalaureate, graduate, nurse practitioner)
• Active engagement in nursing scholarship, including research and/or publications, except for reviewers from practical nursing programs
• A minimum of a master’s degree in nursing 
• Experience with program quality assurance, accreditation, or regulatory processes
• Expertise relevant to the level of program being reviewed (e.g., undergraduate, nurse practitioner, graduate)
• Strong analytical, communication, and collaborative skills

For each accreditation review, CASN selects reviewers based on their expertise, prior accreditation experience, and language proficiency. Reviewers must be free of any real or perceived conflict of interest and are generally not assigned to reviews within their own province to ensure objectivity and impartiality.

Time Commitment

• Reviewers typically participate in one to two accreditation visits per year, depending on availability and program needs.
• Preparation involves reviewing program documentation before the visit (approximately two weeks).
• Accreditation visits generally last five days, depending on the scope and format (in-person or virtual).
• Following the visit, reviewers are required to contribute to the written report (approximately two weeks of post-visit work).

Reviewer Orientation and Competencies

Interested applicants who meet the selection criteria are required to complete a structured orientation program prior to participating in an accreditation review. Reviewers are also provided with detailed documentation outlining their roles and responsibilities.

The reviewer orientation is delivered in phases and includes:

• An asynchronous online module developed by the Association of Accrediting Agencies of Canada (AAAC) (approximately 2–3 hours) 
• A live online training session with CASN (approximately 2 hours) 
• Mentorship provided during an initial accreditation review
  

Through this orientation, reviewers develop the competencies required to effectively contribute to the accreditation process. These include:

• Professional maturity and ethical conduct 
• Knowledge of and commitment to the accreditation process 
• Commitment to quality improvement in nursing education 
• Ability to remain objective and respectful of diverse perspectives 
• Strong observation, interviewing, analysis, and synthesis skills 
• Ability to align evidence with accreditation standards, descriptors, and key elements 
• Ability to provide informed, constructive, and concise feedback

Compensation

• CASN reviewers serve on a voluntary basis and are provided modest honoraria and reimbursement for applicable expenses.

Costs

• For in-person visits, the hosting institution covers travel, accommodation, and meal expenses.
• Reviewers who pay expenses upfront will be reimbursed in accordance with CASN policies.
• Virtual visits do not incur travel-related expenses.
  

Application

If you would like to be considered as a CASN reviewer, please complete the CASN Accreditation Reviewer Application Form and return it, along with a CV, to:

Layal Bou Abdou
Managing Director, Accreditation & Evaluation
Email: lbou-abdo@casn.ca

Ensure that the form is signed by your dean or direct supervisor before submitting.

Download the CASN Accreditation Reviewer Application Form