How do you chooose a nursing program?

[jbjorn2b]

I am considering entering into an accelerated program to become a nurse. I have an undergraduate degree in business and to make a long story short have decided, after much consideration that I may want to go into nursing (this is not just a whim, I have a what I beleive to be a well thought out plan of action) and over the next few months, I will be shadowing at the local hospital in gain some "clinical" insights into the field. I have been researching accelerated programs in Ohio and PA and they seem so similar I have looked at the following:

1. Duquesne

2. Robert Morris

3. Akron

4. Kent

Cleveland State

5. Michigan and Michigan State

How did you choose a program? What should I be looking for? I want to make sure that I am challenged and I recieve a good return on my investment. Any advice would be helpful.

[TazziRN, RN]

I don't know about those programs but in general you want one that's accredited, high retention-high pass rate (dropping few students and most passing the NCLEX), clinicals spent mostly in acute care and not LTC. Bonuses are programs that offer externships.

[Katie82, RN]

Nursing programs are monitored by the NLN, so most are equal in quality of curriculum. Used to be the criteria for quality was pass rate on the NCLEX, but the NLN has had a change of heart on that one. Feeling is now that programs that focus too much on passing may be weeding out students who, although they may have to take the exam 2 or 3 times, actually develop into good nurses. I would look to a program that has challenging admission standards and a reputation for good instructors.

[graceomalleyRN, RN]

You are smart to ask these questions. Please read the bottom paragraph in particular to find out why.

First of all, get accrediation status. Not just the school's regional accreditation but also the nursing program itself.

Just because a program enables you to take the NCLEX upon graduation does not mean the program is accredited. The major accrediting bodies are the NLNAC and AACN-CCNE. The former monitors ADN and BSN programs; the latter focuses exclusively on BSN, MS and PhD programs.

Many employers (US Armed Forces, many magnet hospitals) insist their RN's graduate from a program accredited by either the NLN(AC) or the CCNE.

I almost went with a BSN program here in Colorado which is approved by the state BON but they are not accredited by NLNAC or AACN-CCNE. I called and spoke with HR at the hospital where I'd like to work some day and they told me that they will not hire graduates of this school because, despite their BSN, the program is not yet accredited. The hospital told me that even if the program won accreditation, the school itself was regionally accredited only as a vocational/technical school and not a university so they still wouldn't hire me if I graduated from there.

It could've been a $64+ mistake for me. I'm really grateful I found out in time. Make sure you do your research.

Best of luck!

[casi, ASN, RN]

I went to the school that was close to home, easy to access, and had decent fees for tution. Otherwise when it came to applying to schools I applied to many in the area and hoped that one accepted me.

[jbjorn2b]

I appreciate all of your feedback. I have another question regarding GPA. I graduated with a B.S. in Business with a cummulative GPA of a 3.0. I will also have to take pre-reqs. Do you know if the schools weight more heavily on your previous GPA, pre-reqs or both? Also, with regards to shadowing, I will not be able to get in as many hours as I would like because I work full-time. My goal is to do 3-4 per week over the next 5-6 months before I make a decision to start taking the pre-reqs. I would have to leave work full time, take out loans in order to pursue a nursing career-I think, if it is something I want to do its worth the cost? Any thoughts?