Choosing a Nursing School That's Right for You

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. Read about some important considerations for choosing your nursing school:

Specialties

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

Location

Search for Featured Schools in a specific area

School Size

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

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.

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.

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.

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.