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Choosing a Nursing School That's Right for You

Learn some important factors to consider when choosing a nursing school.

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Finding the Nursing School For You

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There are many factors to consider when choosing a nursing school. Different factors are important to different prospective students, so you want to make sure you choose a school that matches your career endeavors. There are also nursing school strategies for success to help you decipher the right nursing school for you and your nursing career.

Do you want to attend a specialized program and volunteer in a hospital while attending nursing school? Or do you want to start with a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or registered nurse (RN) degree and start looking for a job after your nursing program is complete? These are just a few of the many questions you need to ask yourself before putting forth a hefty nursing school tuition.

Finding a nursing school that will help set your career up for success is the first important choice for your nursing education. Research nursing schools and create a list of pros and cons for each of your top choices. Here are some important considerations for choosing your nursing school:

Nursing School Specialties

Choose your nursing program first, and then decide on a school that matches

Location of the Nursing School

Search for Featured Nursing Schools in a specific area

Size of the Nursing School

Some people want the close attention of a small school, while other prefer the intellectual stimulation of a large institution

Nursing School Class Size

Make sure to find out about student-to-faculty ratios for both classroom and clinical instruction. Small class sizes for clinical rotation and nursing courses is more important than for prerequisites.

Nursing School Clinical Rotation

Does the school provide enough clinical rotation time? Are the clinical placements varied enough and do they provide hands-on experience? This information is best to get from current students.

NCLEX® examination pass-rates

Ask the school for this data from the last 5-10 years. The percentage of graduating students that pass the NCLEX examination is often a good indicator of how well the school prepares students.

Nursing School Accreditation

this indicates that the school meets the standards of education set by a national accrediting organization. It is a good indicator that you'll receive an adequate education. See the questions on Accreditation for more information.

Nursing School Tuition

Prices vary dramatically between private schools and public schools, and between in-state and out-of-state residents.

Remember that financial aid can also vary significantly between institutions. Read more about how to finance your nursing school education and choosing the nursing school that's right for you.

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