Finding the best nursing schools is a task that's vitally important for candidates who want the absolute best education in preparation for beginning a career in nursing. There are literally thousands of institutions all across the country offering nursing programs of one sort or another. In fact, the demand for nurses is so high that you could make the case there are not enough programs to satisfy the need. Even more importantly, potential future nursing students need to realize that the best programs are very competitive. Space is limited, so you'll have to work hard to get in to a top-notch program.
To get started, understand that you have three basic levels of nursing in which most individuals will work. The first level is the licensed practical nurse (LPN), or licensed vocational nurse (LVN) as it's known in some states. This nursing position is considered entry-level for new nurses and involves only a year-long certification course that can be obtained from a community college, nursing school, or hospital LPN program.
The second and third levels are similar in that they are both registered nurse (RN) positions, but they differ according to educational level. The RN with an associate degree has completed a two-year course of study with a heavy focus on the day-to-day tasks of nursing. An RN with a bachelor degree has completed a four-year program which adds more medical knowledge and nursing theory to the mix. From there, nurses can pursue higher educational opportunities to increase their earning potential and career development.
Start with Research
Research is the key to finding the best nursing schools, so make sure you put in the time and effort to do it properly. You'll be looking for several different things including:
- public versus private schools
- schools with approved programs
- quality of courses offered
- total cost and the availability of tuition assistance
- job placement after graduation
Keep in mind as you search that not all nursing schools are created equal. As in any industry, there are always those that excel above the rest and an equal number who scrape the bottom of the barrel. You may not have the financial resources or GPA to get into the absolute best schools, but there's no reason why you should settle for the worst ones either. By researching schools you know you can afford you'll be able to make a much more informed choice.
Public versus Private Schools
Because nursing is in such high demand it's nearly impossible to find a public liberal arts university or college that doesn't offer at least an LPN program. A majority of them offer ASN (associate degree) and BSN (bachelor degree) programs as well.
Public schools tend to cost significantly less for obvious reasons, but the quality of education you receive will at least be adequate for you to earn your license. The one downside to public institutions is the fact that as you advance in your degrees you find fewer and fewer choices. In other words, just about every public liberal arts institution in the country offers an LPN program; very few offer an MSN (Master degree) program.
By contrast, private nursing schools typically offer degree programs at all levels. They also usually offer certification programs for some of the most sought-after specialties in the industry. One could argue that the quality of the educational experience at a private school is better simply because they're able to hire the best instructors in the business, but that said, all nursing students must take the same licensing exam upon graduation. It may not be worth the added cost of the private school just to prepare oneself for this exam.
Schools with Approved Programs
One thing you must absolutely be sure of when doing research is to look at schools whose programs are approved by the state where they are located. What's the reason for this? Most states will not allow graduates to take a licensing exam unless they have first completed an approved program. So, for example, there are six schools in the state of Texas offering unapproved programs. When those students graduate they may very well have their nursing degree, but they won't be eligible to take the licensing exam and thus, won't be eligible to work in the state of Texas.
Furthermore, don't confuse "approved" with "accredited." Accreditation is more of a status symbol than anything else when you're talking about nursing schools. States are not looking for accredited schools or programs; they're looking for those that they can approve according to state nursing regulations. As long as a program is approved graduate students can take a licensing exam, regardless of whether or not the program was accredited by a third party.
Quality of Courses Offered
The quality of the courses being offered by the school is important when it relates to your specialty. If you plan to simply pursue a general nursing career focusing on something along the lines of pediatrics or general practice in a doctor's office, you'll do well with the standard regimen of courses offered in most programs. That regimen usually includes:
- anatomy
- biology
- chemistry
- hygiene
- statistics
- practical, hands-on tasks
If you choose a specialty that goes beyond the standard regimen you'll need to make sure your education includes some advanced courses. For example, if you want to work as a nurse practitioner you will have to earn a Master degree in most states, accompanied by very specific coursework to include things like physiology, microbiology, psychology, and so forth. A standard course regimen is not going to adequately prepare you to be a nurse practitioner.
After You Graduate
After you graduate you still have two big things to worry about: finding a job and paying off your educational debts. Therefore, it stands to reason you'll make your life a lot easier if you consider these two things when searching for the best nursing schools.
Starting with your educational expenses, you're going to have to pay for your education one way or another. You can do this in one of three ways. The first option is to pay for the entire thing out of your own financial resources so that you're not depending on any outside funding. This is nearly impossible for most individuals, which leads us to the other two choices.
Your second choice is to enroll in a school whose program is sponsored by a local hospital or medical facility. The advantage of these types of programs is that they often subsidize your tuition costs, or pay them altogether, if you're willing to commit to working for them for a specific amount of time after graduation. If you don't mind making that commitment, such programs are the best way to get a nursing education for next to nothing.
Your third option is to take on standard student loans just as any other college student would do. Student loans are heavily dependent on income eligibility requirements, so be prepared to have a harder time acquiring loans if your family's income is significant. Along the same lines you can look for scholarships and grants from private institutions and nonprofits.
Job Placement
Finally, you might want to narrow your search to schools that offer job placement assistance upon graduation. This is obviously not required, as nursing jobs are so plentiful, but a college offering job placement is usually one with some important ties in the local community. They make it a lot easier for you to find work without having to move to another city or state. Furthermore, if the school has developed a good relationship with local employers you stand a better chance of being given the best opportunities.
If you're considering a career in nursing we wish you well in your search for the best nursing schools. Keep in mind that regardless of the school you choose, both your education and your career will be what you make it. If you give your best effort you'll find nursing to be a very rewarding career.