Hospital accreditation has become a cornerstone of healthcare quality improvement, yet its impact on nursing practice—particularly in low- and middle-income countries—remains insufficiently understood. This paper examines how accreditation preparation influences nursing care quality in Lebanese hospitals by exploring three dimensions: clinical protocol adherence, safety culture and professional engagement. While accreditation is intended to standardize practices and enhance patient outcomes, nurses’ perceptions of this process are crucial, given their central role in delivering care. Using a quantitative, descriptive and analytical design, data were gathered from 80 nurses across two Lebanese hospitals actively preparing for accreditation. Structured questionnaires assessed perceptions related to the implementation of clinical guidelines, safety behavior and levels of professional commitment. Statistical analyses using Wilcoxon and Kruskal-Wallis tests identified significant relationships between involvement in accreditation activities and perceived improvements in care quality. Findings demonstrate a clear trend: nurses view accreditation preparation positively, reporting strengthened protocol standardization, improved teamwork and heightened safety vigilance. Even those not directly engaged in the process perceived institutional improvements, indicating that accreditation can generate organization-wide cultural transformation. Aligned with the 2025 quality theme “Think Differently,” the study calls for innovative, participatory accreditation strategies that empower nurses. It recommends shifting accreditation from a compliance-oriented exercise to a dynamic, inclusive and continuous learning process. This research contributes to the growing literature on accreditation effectiveness in Lebanon and highlights practical steps to improve its impact on nursing practice.