Choosing a nursing school is a big decision.
You’ll need to factor in several things in order to find that one that works best for you. Keep in mind that just because you have friends or family that went to a specific school, you should still carefully consider your options.
Some quick things to think about:
· Do you prefer a small nursing program or a large one at a big university?
· How long do you want the program to take?
· Do you want an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN)?
· How much total clinical time is part of this program?
· Can I work while doing my clinical hours?
· What is the total cost outside of tuition?
While you decide on what is important to you individually, here are 5 of the best nationally accredited nursing schools:
1. Columbia University
You might be drawn to the medical research conducted here and the bonus that nursing students are able to actively participate and learn from ongoing research projects.
2. New York University
NYU offers both a 15-month accelerated program and a traditional four-year program so you’re able to choose that meets the demands of your everyday life.
3. Johns Hopkins University – The School of Nursing.
Graduates are consistently recognized as top in their fields. The nursing programs occupies one of the largest buildings on campus, with 6 floors and over 90,000 square feet of classroom space.
4. University of Michigan Ann-Arbor.
You can choose a traditional four-year track toward their BSN or go for a 16-month accelerated second career BSN. The addition of patient simulation labs makes hands-on learning more realistic.
5. Duke University.
Students take on a hands-on approach while using adult and pediatric mannequins in a simulated clinical setting at the Center for Nursing Discovery.
Each of these schools offers a high-quality nursing program with a variety of opportunities. Students who successfully complete degree programs at these schools have a high rate of graduate school attendance as well.
For more support and advice from other nurses on how to advance your career, download the Nurse Backpack app. It will help you stay organized while tracking all your professional credentials and personal information. If you’re looking for a way to streamline your career, give the app a try today.
