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Choosing a Nursing School can be quite a task. Here are some things for you to consider before making the big decision.

Schools

If you plan on going to school in your home town you may already be familiar with the ones in your city. However, if you're planning to re-locate you'll need to do some research on the schools in that area such as:

School Size

Some students want the close attention of a small school, while others prefer the intellectual stimulation of a large institution - this is simply a matter of taste.

Class Size

Take the time to find out about student-to-faculty ratios for both classroom and clinical instruction. Small class sizes for clinical rotation and nursing courses are 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. Visit some of the forums on nursing for accurate up-to-date stats.

NCLEX® examination pass-rates

Student surveys have indicated that this is a key element to consider. 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.

In the United States there are two nursing organizations that accredit schools of nursing:

1. The National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (ASN,BSN,MSN)
2. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (BSN, MSN)

Schools may choose which organization will accredit them and can have accreditations from both organizations.

Tuition

Prices vary dramatically between private schools and public schools, and between in-state and out-of-state residents at state schools. Availability of financial aid can also vary significantly between institutions.

Specialties

If you are planning or know a specific program you'd like to specialize in, make sure the schools you are considering have the specialty programs you require.