What to Consider When Choosing a Nursing School

Choosing a nursing school is one of the most important aspects of becoming a registered nurse. While you certainly don't have to attend the most expensive or prestigious school to have a satisfying and successful career, you don't want to end up with a subpar education. Therefore, it is crucial to take your time when considering different nursing schools. It also helps to know which considerations to make when assessing various options. For your convenience, you will find eight of the most important factors to consider when looking for a nursing school below. Keep these points in mind to more easily find a nursing school that suits your needs and career goals:

1. Degree Options

Did you know that there are two degree options for becoming a registered nurse? These days, aspiring nurses are encouraged to obtain their bachelor of science in nursing, or BSN, degrees because they open up far more opportunities. However, if you want to earn your RN license faster, you might consider earning an associate degree in nursing, or ADN. If you're not sure which route you'd like to pursue, stick with schools that offer both.

2. Accreditation

Whether you go to nursing school for a BSN or an ADN, you will have to sit for the NCLEX-RN upon completion. To be eligible to sit for the exam, you must prove that you graduated from a properly accredited nursing school. Therefore, make sure that the school that you choose has the right accreditation. In particular, look for accreditation from either ACEN, the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, or CCNE, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

3. Pass Rate

It's important to choose a nursing school that has a reputation for properly preparing students for the NCLEX-RN licensing examination. The best way to gauge this is by checking the school's average NCLEX pass rate. If their pass rate is good, a school is likely to prominently display it or advertise it. If a school isn't forthcoming with this information, it might be because too many students fail the exam after completing their schooling. At the very least, look for a nursing school with a pass rate of 95 percent or higher. Keep in mind, however, that schools with higher pass rates are often pricier.

4. State Board of Nursing Approval

In addition to being properly accredited, the right nursing school will also be officially approved by the board of nursing in the state where it is located. Without this approval, graduating students may be denied the chance to sit for the NCLEX-RN. When in doubt, contact the state board of nursing in question and ask. Whatever you do, don't assume that everything is fine, and don't just take the school's word for it. The last thing you need is to go through all of that schooling only to be left without an RN license.

5. Clinical Training Locations

Regardless of which nursing school you attend and whether you're going for an ADN or a BSN, you will be required to complete a certain number of hours of clinical training. This training almost always occurs in local health care facilities, but some of it may be conducted in on-site simulation labs. Either way, it's crucial to ensure that you will be able to meet the clinical training requirement of the nursing school that you're considering, so learn more about it before taking the leap. You don't want to end up having to make a long commute just to get the training done.

6. Tuition and Other Costs

For most people, this is probably the primary determining factor of where they attend nursing school. Before looking for nursing schools, figure out how much you can afford. Complete the FAFSA to find out if you are eligible for any type of financial aid. Knowing this information beforehand can help enormously. Remember that the cost of tuition is not necessarily indicative of the quality of the program. Keep in mind too that there will be additional costs, including books and other supplies. Leave room in your budget for these items as well.

7. Schedule and Setting

Nursing school is a lot easier when it offers a location and hours that are convenient for you. Don't try to talk yourself into attending a school that's too far away just because it's less expensive or has other benefits. Get an idea about the schedule that's required too and make sure that you will be able to accommodate it. The easier that you make things on yourself, the more likely you'll be to get through nursing school in one piece. Be sure to keep online schooling options in mind too, as they can bring the flexibility that's needed.

8. Areas of Specialization

Finally, like many aspiring RNs, you may already have set your sights on certain areas of specialization. Many BSN programs, in particular, attempt to roll specializations into the main degree. Therefore, you might seek out schools that offer degrees in areas of specialization that appeal to you. Even if you're not sure which specialization works for you, it never hurts to select a school that offers a variety of them. The bottom line is that it's better to have too many options than too few options, so seek out schools that have a lot to offer in this department.

Without a doubt, choosing a nursing school is among the most important and most stressful aspects of becoming an RN. The training itself is intense too, of course, but the quality of the school that you choose can have a profound impact on your eventual career. Don't rush the process, and be sure to keep the preceding considerations in mind to arrive at the best choice.