| Nearly every major city - and a lot of not so | | | | but that's not the same as accreditation. |
| major ones - has at least one accredited | | | | While it will enable you to sit for your |
| nursing school. The school that you choose to | | | | NCLEX examination, it may prevent you from |
| attend could be a major factor in more than | | | | using the credits and going forward for |
| just the education you receive. Graduating | | | | continuing education, such as a BSN or |
| from a well-known nursing school can put the | | | | master's degree. While it is possible to get |
| finishing touches on your resume and | | | | a good education from a non-accredited |
| guarantee you a higher starting salary, for | | | | school, you should thoroughly investigate it |
| instance. Choosing a nursing school | | | | to be certain that their standards meet your |
| associated with the right hospitals for your | | | | needs. |
| practice work can also boost your credentials | | | | |
| - or even help you choose a specialty that | | | | Hands-On Experience |
| you'd never have considered. If you've | | | | |
| decided on your career, but not your | | | | You want as much experience as you can get |
| education, here are some basic considerations | | | | during your training time, and that's why |
| to help you make the decision of where to go | | | | it's important to check out the school's |
| to nursing school. | | | | clinical rotation program. This is where some |
| | | | schools that are affiliated with major |
| Location | | | | teaching hospitals may have a major |
| | | | advantage, particularly if they specialize in |
| The most basic location consideration is how | | | | one of your particular interests. When you're |
| far away from home you want to be, but that's | | | | evaluating nursing schools, ask how much time |
| just the tip of the iceberg. A nursing school | | | | you'll spend in clinical rotation, and what |
| located in a busy metropolitan area, for | | | | disciplines and specialties you may have a |
| example, can offer unexpected benefits in | | | | chance to observe and participate in. |
| outside training, mentoring and hospitals | | | | |
| venues in which to complete your practicum. | | | | Examination Success |
| On the reverse side, a smaller, local school | | | | |
| can offer a far more personalized approach. | | | | Perhaps one of the most important factors in |
| Take stock of what's important to you to help | | | | considering a nursing school is the rate at |
| you zero in on schools in your desired area. | | | | which their students pass the NCLEX exam. |
| | | | Obviously, a high pass rate indicates that |
| Area of Study | | | | the school's students have been well |
| | | | prepared, but a low pass rate should be a |
| Speaking of areas, that's another | | | | huge red flag. Don't be shy about asking the |
| consideration. Do you have a yen to practice | | | | school to provide you with their record of |
| pediatric oncology? Are you interested in | | | | examination rates for the past few years. |
| learning the basics of patient care in a | | | | |
| research facility? Is general nursing exactly | | | | Tuition |
| what you want to do? Check course listings | | | | |
| and certifications offered by the schools | | | | Finally, the amount of money that it will |
| that you're considering in order to determine | | | | cost you to attend the school will have to |
| which teach the beyond-basics things you want | | | | come into play. And because tuitions in |
| to learn. | | | | nursing schools can vary so much, your goal |
| | | | should be to get the absolute best education |
| Accreditation | | | | for the least amount of money. Unfortunately, |
| | | | the only way you'll be able to determine this |
| It is important that the school you choose be | | | | is by doing some good research into your |
| accredited by one of two national | | | | potential schools. |
| organizations for general nursing (The | | | | |
| National League of Nursing Accrediting | | | | Don't let money stop you from attending the |
| Commission or The Commission on Collegiate | | | | school of your choice, though. Besides |
| Nursing Education). If you are applying to a | | | | traditional routes of student aid, the |
| specialized program, there are separate | | | | nursing shortage over the past two decades |
| accrediting organizations such as the Nurse | | | | has opened many opportunities for education |
| Anesthetist and Nurse Midwife, The Council on | | | | funding. Ask about financial aid and work |
| Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational | | | | study programs, and be sure to check with |
| Programs, and The American College of | | | | local hospitals and organizations to find out |
| Nurse-Midwives Division of Accreditation. | | | | if any offer scholarships for which you can |
| | | | apply. |
| Most schools are approved by a state board, | | | | |