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