What should I look for in a nursing school?

studentnurse74, LPN, LVN · May 26, 2004

One that's easy to get into. :chuckle Seriously, I just took cost and location into consideration. (I'm in ASN program.) There aren't many places to choose from around here, and beggers (like me!) can't be choosers. You will probably have more options going for BSN, though.

manna, BSN, RN · May 26, 2004

Clinical hours/facilities/rotations? Faculty-student ratios? Retention rates?

Good luck! :)

PCGrad06 · May 26, 2004

I would consider how they teach you. I am sure you have read the different lab settings. Some you are the patient and others you use dumbies etc. So if you are nervous about showing your body etc. You may want to add this to your list it could be the tie breaker between to really great programs.:)

Mandy:) · May 26, 2004

What do you mean by retention rates? Im also looking at schools, and dont know what to look for.

I guess cost i know is a big factor, you may want to really consider that.

Nemhain · May 27, 2004

What kinds of things should I look for when choosing a nursing school? I'm looking particularly at BSN and Accelerated BSN programs. I'm currently looking at NCLEX pass rates, location, cost of tuition, and cost of living of the area (I may or may not move to go to school). What else should I look for?
Meghan

Studentnurse74 wrote: One that's easy to get into...

I have to agree completely! Also, when looking at pass rate for the NCLEX keep in mind that one school can vary from year to year. A school that had 100% 3 years ago can have a 70% this year. I would look at a 5 - 7 year average. If a particular school has been 79% or below for many years...I might be wondering why. Also, there's a school in my area that requires a 3.8 gpa to get in (and students must maintain a 3.0 or higher to stay in), but their pass rate ave. is 91% and my school's ave. is 92% and applicants only need a 2.5 for admission and graduation...go figure.

So, if I were you, I'd go with cheap, a decent (at least 80%) 5-7 year average NCLEX pass rate and easy to get into, because nursing is pretty much a learn-on-the-job profession.

Good luck! :)

Mandy:) · May 27, 2004

Studentnurse74 wrote: One that's easy to get into...
I have to agree completely! Also, when looking at pass rate for the NCLEX keep in mind that one school can vary from year to year. A school that had 100% 3 years ago can have a 70% this year. I would look at a 5 - 7 year average. If a particular school has been 79% or below for many years...I might be wondering why. Also, there's a school in my area that requires a 3.8 gpa to get in (and students must maintain a 3.0 or higher to stay in), but their pass rate ave. is 91% and my school's ave. is 92% and applicants only need a 2.5 for admission and graduation...go figure.
So, if I were you, I'd go with cheap, a decent (at least 80%) 5-7 year average NCLEX pass rate and easy to get into, because nursing is pretty much a learn-on-the-job profession.
Good luck! :)

I hope this doesnt sound stupid but what do you mean by NCLEX pass rates???

studentnurse74, LPN, LVN · May 27, 2004

I hope this doesnt sound stupid but what do you mean by NCLEX pass rates???

After you graduate and get your degree, you have to take a test called the NCLEX to officially get that RN after your name.

obrnteacher · May 27, 2004

several items

first - the retention rate is the number of students that were accepted into the program at the beginning and the number that actually completed the program. Example. A college admits 80 students but only 53 complete the first year successfully. Then in the second year that number is reduced to 50 students who actually complete the nursing program. (This is an ADN program)

2nd - Each school is to report to the BON the number of students that successfully complete the nursing program and the number that pass NCLEX the first time. This is the NCLEX pass rate.

As mentioned before, pass rates may vary with time. This year the pass rate for the NCLEX is changing and pass rates for school are suppose to drop. I would ask about previous years NCLEX. The school probably doesn't have this years current NCLEX pass rates.

Hope this helps