Choosing a nursing program is a big decision, and it’s not just about reading the description and selecting the one that sounds best. It involves knowing what you want in advance and researching your options to find a nursing program that is perfect for you and fits your budget. Let’s take an in-depth look at selecting nursing programs.
What is a nursing program?
A nursing program is a formal education program for people who are interested in learning about nursing. The different programs offered vary in length. Many degrees are available, from associate and bachelor’s degrees to master’s and doctoral degrees, for those who want to specialize in certain areas.
Programs typically consist of classroom instruction, discussion classes, and labs in which you will practice your skills with actual patients under supervision while looking at their medical records and asking questions about their care plans.
Why it’s important to pick the right nursing school
There are many nursing courses, and choosing one can be difficult. What makes a nursing program right for you? It all comes down to your skills and interests, your financial situation, and the school’s reputation.
To be successful, you need to find a program that is right for you. Here is a look at why choosing the right nursing school matters.
The chances of passing the NCLEX increase when you attend a good nursing school
Although finishing nursing school is a significant achievement, a nursing school credential does not license you to practice nursing. To pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) and qualify as a certified nurse, selecting the right nursing school is crucial.
You perform confidently as a registered nurse if you attend the right nursing school
When you choose the best nursing school, you’ll study with knowledgeable professors who work to give you academic and practical experiences to prepare you for your job as a qualified nurse.
Finding a nursing school that provides a range of clinical experiences is essential
The ideal nursing program will allow you to participate in practical clinical experiences in various situations where you can provide care for people of different ages and health conditions. Your clinical experiences prepare you to respond accurately to questions about multiple topics that the NCLEX covers.
Nursing school experts teach and enhance the skills required to deliver high-quality care, which is especially important for nurses who are operating independently.
An accredited nursing program will be of high quality
Nursing programs throughout the country are subject to the same high standards thanks to accreditation. Although you might be capable of passing the NCLEX if you have earned a nursing degree from an unaccredited college, employers often prefer candidates who have attended accredited nursing programs.
Choosing the right nursing school may be necessary for your financial aid
You must choose the best nursing school if you want to seek government funding to help with the expense of your education. Federal scholarships and loans are generally not available to students in nursing programs that are not accredited.
You can transfer credits when you decide to go back to school in the future
You should transfer any credits that apply to your next degree if you decide to pursue a higher one. When you choose an accredited nursing school, it will be easier for your previous credits to be approved by the new nursing institution.
The high price of nursing school means quality is important
Tuition, fees, books, clothing and supplies are your responsibility and add to the cost of earning your nursing degree. Housing and food costs will also apply if you reside on campus. Choosing the best nursing school requires analyzing alternatives and aspects such as the program’s cost.
Choosing the right nursing school is vital due to the program’s difficulty
Nursing school is a lot of work, and it takes a significant commitment to finish your degree successfully. You’ll need to be able to devote a substantial amount of time and energy to your studies.
Many people who start nursing school fail to complete their courses, so you should choose a school that teaches accredited nursing programs such as Elmhurst University. Their online programs enable you to obtain a nursing degree in your free time, which is ideal for those who have work or family commitments. The best nursing schools will offer the most recent learning tools and cutting-edge technology available in nursing education today.
Selecting the best nursing program will help you get ready for solid job prospects once you graduate
Once you have completed nursing school and obtained your license, the next step is finding your dream role. The nursing school you attend matters a lot when looking for a job. In your search for the ideal nursing program, find out what proportion of graduates find employment in the field within the first year of graduation.
Employers will inquire about where you received your nursing education
Employers who want to hire nurses who can provide patients with high-quality care consider a school’s reputation for generating qualified nurses. Prospective employers will want to know where you attended school, even if you have a diploma and documentation of your licensure.
Steps to choosing the right nursing school
Selecting the right nursing school can be daunting without proper guidance. Here are some steps to follow when researching nursing schools to help you make a better decision.
Choose the nursing degree you want to earn
Concentrate on finding nursing schools that provide the degree you want to pursue once you’ve made a choice. Some nursing schools only offer associate degrees in nursing, while others provide bachelor’s and master’s degree programs.
An associate degree program would be a great choice if you are sure that you want to become a registered nurse but cannot commit to a four-year degree.
Plan your short-term and long-term objectives
Create a list of the objectives you want to achieve. Next to each item, note the approximate time it will take you to get there. One of the best ways to keep yourself on track and hold yourself accountable is by setting goals. Be sure to include short-term and long-term goals.
Decide the length of your schooling
A nursing school that offers the option of an associate degree in nursing may be a better choice for you if you want to become a registered nurse but have a limited amount of free time or must begin working immediately.
However, a bachelor’s degree in nursing will be the preferable option if you can dedicate four years to study and would like to pursue a managerial or administrative role in nursing.
Decide what you require from a nursing school
Like the nursing students they instruct, nursing schools and the staff who teach there vary widely. Consider the factors you believe will contribute to your success in a nursing program. For example, consider whether smaller classrooms or more individualized attention makes learning easier for you.
Visit the school’s social media pages
You can learn a lot about an institution and its programs, students, and teachers by visiting a school’s social media page. Look for links on their social media pages that take you to the nursing section.
Pay close attention to posts related to learning possibilities and student activities. Students frequently posting favorable remarks about their program, school or teachers is a good sign.
Determine how much you can afford to spend on your schooling
The cost of a nursing degree can range from $20,000 to more than $100,000 depending on the type of degree you pursue. Public colleges and universities are less expensive than private institutions.
Determine whether you require financial aid and weigh your possibilities at the colleges you are considering
Many college students need some financial assistance to offset the cost of tuition. There are numerous possibilities, including work-study programs, private loans, and federal grants and loans.
You may want to look for a work-study program at your nursing school if you need assistance but are not eligible for government aid.
Be sure to stop by the financial aid office and discuss your possibilities with an advisor as you tour institutions and interact with school personnel to reduce stress in the future.
Learn the layout of the classroom
While some students appreciate learning in large classrooms, others prefer smaller classes where they can receive more individualized attention. Ask about typical class sizes and the different ways you can attend classes, such as virtual, on-campus, or hybrid.
Request a meeting with the nursing director
Prospective nursing students frequently express anxiety when setting up an appointment with the nursing director, but this can be a very useful meeting. The program director’s responsibility is to ensure professors and students have all they need to create a successful nursing program.
You can ask the director questions about the nursing department and program during your meeting. It may be tough to seek assistance as a student if the program director is unapproachable or appears uninterested in meeting with you.
Learn the ranking of the nursing school
The rankings of nursing schools are standards based on facts and statistics rather than student experiences. Although teaching methods and campus life are not always considered when ranking colleges, you might still find them helpful if you’re having trouble choosing between a few options.
Check the experience of the faculty
Numerous applicants to nursing schools have been turned away due to a national deficit of nurse educators. The interests of students and the patients they treat may not always be served by schools changing the employment requirements and hiring instructors with less experience.
When you locate a nursing program that matches your interests, look over the school’s website, learn about the faculty members, and search for various academic and clinical experiences.
Do not hesitate to look through the teacher’s social media pages, particularly on sites like LinkedIn. Remember that this is your chance to invest in your training and eventual profession, so choosing a nursing program with knowledgeable faculty is essential.
Visit several learning institutions
You must visit several schools in person to learn about their offerings if you want to select the best nursing program. Be sure to ask about the nursing program’s staff-to-student ratio.
Keep a record of all your questions about nursing school, and then ensure you get all the answers. Ask to tour classrooms, libraries, and nursing laboratories as you visit as many schools as possible. Several nursing schools set aside specific periods for potential students to explore the institution and meet the instructors, staff, and students.
According to the United States Department of Education, accreditation is the method for evaluating the caliber of educational programs at higher education institutions. Nursing programs must be accredited to guarantee they adhere to local, state, and federal regulations.
When you enroll in a recognized nursing program, you may be confident that you’ll graduate NCLEX-RN-certified and ready to start working as an entry-level nurse practitioner.
Look for approved institutions in the region where you want to attend school
You need to know the significance of enrolling in an authorized nursing program. The advantages of selecting a recognized nursing school outweigh the drawbacks by a wide margin. Spending slightly more on tuition for a certified school will pay off in the long run.
Check the nursing program’s accreditation
Program accreditation differs from school accreditation. A school might be accredited in general yet fail to offer accredited nursing programs. You must choose a nursing school whose nursing program has earned accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, or both.
Check the NCLEX pass rates
Inquire about the passing rate for first-time NCLEX tests when you look at nursing schools. Schools with poor NCLEX pass rates should not be your top pick because the NCLEX measures your aptitude for utilizing the skills and knowledge you acquired while studying nursing.
Factors to consider when choosing between virtual and on-campus nursing school
Are you having trouble deciding between an online nursing school and an on-campus program? Your choice will depend on various factors, including your schedule, your preference for learning, and what types of clinical training a particular program provides. Here are the factors that should go into making this decision.
Discipline
Learning self-discipline in nursing school, regardless of whether you decide to sign up for on-campus or online courses, is a must. You will succeed in taking online lessons if you have faith in your ability to plan and adhere to your objectives.
However, you will profit from the structure provided by on-campus learning if you have difficulty concentrating on a task or sticking to predetermined goals. To make the best nursing school decision, be honest with yourself.
The required clinical hours
Nursing students must complete clinical hours to take the NCLEX. The state board of nursing sets the minimum number of hours students must spend in clinical settings.
Ask how clinical arrangements are chosen when you look into programs that interest you. Remember that nursing school clinics will prepare you to work as a certified nurse. Your success depends on selecting a school that provides a range of clinical settings and experiences.
Technical support offered to students
The level of technical support provided to students is a crucial consideration when deciding between online and on-campus education. Find information about the school’s IT department and the procedures for after-hours support.
It is impossible to predict when a program or school website may experience a problem. An on-campus option can be preferable if the school you want to attend lacks the resources to support online students.
Ease of accessibility of the nursing faculty
Nursing professors provide knowledge and direction to aid students in succeeding. One potential drawback of some online learning programs is the imposition that might occur when communicating with instructors online.
Before enrolling in any program, find out how nursing students at the institution communicate with teachers and how quickly the instructors respond.
The learning that best suits you
Learning is a process that moves from lecturing to hands-on practice. You can learn efficiently by taking on-campus courses, where you have the advantage of observing actual medical settings and interacting with real patients.
However, you may appreciate online learning if you’re an independent learner with the discipline to focus on your goals without a physical instructor watching you. As long as you feel motivated and prepared, you can study in your own time without having other people around.
Wrapping up
Being a nurse is a challenging yet rewarding job. Each year, numerous new nurses graduate, so it is necessary to stand out from the crowd to get a decent-paying job. Institutions do not want to hire nurses who lack the proper education, so you will have an advantage if you are certified.
If you cannot afford classes at regular colleges or universities, you can enroll in an online school that offers more affordable tuition fees. Before enrolling in nursing courses, ask about the school’s student-to-instructor ratio and pass rates for the students who took the NCLEX exam.
