College Nursing Programs

Devon Rex, ADN, BSN · Sep 13, 2016

Hello Tara227,

My first recommendation when someone is looking for a reputable nursing school is to look at their accreditation. I highly recommend you to search the schools in your area in this website: Search ACEN Accredited Nursing Programs

Then start looking for online student reviews about those institutions (pay attention to the dates when those comments were posted).

Pay a visit to the campus (with a friend). Approach a nursing student/s, ask them questions about the program. Ask they what they view as a plus or minus. Do not be scared about everything they say. Everyone has a set of experiences and you should gather several opinions before you feel how it could be for you in that institution.

Finances are always a sticking point for people. Community colleges are cheaper than private schools, thus they fill up the fastest. Private institutions will make it easier for you to enroll. The curriculums are always stressful... that is nursing school's nature.

This should give you a good start. Good luck!

Buyer beware, BSN · Sep 19, 2016

Hello Tara227,
My first recommendation when someone is looking for a reputable nursing school is to look at their accreditation. I highly recommend you to search the schools in your area in this website: Search ACEN Accredited Nursing Programs
Then start looking for online student reviews about those institutions (pay attention to the dates when those comments were posted).
Pay a visit to the campus (with a friend). Approach a nursing student/s, ask them questions about the program. Ask they what they view as a plus or minus. Do not be scared about everything they say. Everyone has a set of experiences and you should gather several opinions before you feel how it could be for you in that institution.
Finances are always a sticking point for people. Community colleges are cheaper than private schools, thus they fill up the fastest. Private institutions will make it easier for you to enroll. The curriculums are always stressful... that is nursing school's nature.
This should give you a good start. Good luck!

Crappy schools are accredited by the so-called best nursing accreditors. Crappy schools have good NCLEX pass rates. So you have to look at a school's retention and graduation rates to really know if the school is promoting solid nursing education or just a front to rape your student loans. AKA "the for-profits."

Go to (collegescorecard.ed.gov) to compare these parameters as well as tuition costs.

But this is just the start of the vetting process. You want to find out everything possible about an entity you are giving a lot of time and money to.

College education today is too expensive and fraught with danger for the young, inexperienced and trusting.

Devon Rex, ADN, BSN · Sep 25, 2016

Crappy schools are accredited by the so-called best nursing accreditors. Crappy schools have good NCLEX pass rates. So you have to look at a school's retention and graduation rates to really know if the school is promoting solid nursing education or just a front to rape your student loans.

I respectfully disagree with the above statement.

1) While there can be "crappy schools accredited by the so-called best nursing accreditors", not having an accreditation REALLY ensures it is a "crappy school". You might as well print out a diploma for yourself and not spend any money. Good luck with where that will take you. (*insert sarcasm here)

2) By saying that "crappy schools have good NCLEX pass rates", you are actually making an argument to sign-up for these schools, not against them. One BIG goal in nursing school is being able to pass the NCLEX-RN... otherwise, your diploma is good for nothing as you would not be able to work as an RN. A diploma without a license is not an option.

High graduation and retention rates can be an indicator of easier curriculums. If you are serious about getting well prepared for the nursing world, look for a challenging program. That's why I recommend visiting the campuses and talk to their nursing students.

I would not necessarily be so scared of low graduation and retention rates. PART of it is because students cannot handle or measure up to the challenges of a nursing degree. PART is due to having personal problems, they drop out, and sometimes decide to pursue it at a later time. Life happens. The point being, low graduation and retention rates are not necessarily all bad news about the program itself.

Nursing school is stressful. If you have a supportive family that will cheer you on and pick you up on not so good days... you will succeed as long as you put your good effort in it. You get out of it what you put into it. Do not look for the easy route, because the NCLEX-RN will be that much harder. A strong nursing program, will make the NCLEX-RN like a breezy walk in the park.