Questions you should ask a school before you apply
Here are a few questions to ask a nursing program before you apply:
Clinicals- what sites are offered? How many total clinical hours do students attend snd how does this compare to other similar programs? What is the faculty:student ratio at clinicals? What education/experience is required for faculty supervising clinicals? Are they taught by adjuncts or full time faculty? Will the majority of my experience be acute care or community-based? What do graduates and employers say about their skill level after graduation? How far is the expected commute? Is simulation a part of clinical hours?
General- what is your NCLEX pass rate over the last 5 years? What is your retention rate? Tuition cost? Do you use hesi/ATI or similar tests to determine retention/promotion to the next course/graduation? Average debt carried by grads? Job placement rates over last 5 years? Opportunities to find work in the area? Do they recommend working during school? Are there state/local scholarships? Who is my advisor? Do you offer remediation/assistance for those who need it? Is the program accredited, and if so, by what agency? What is faculty educational level/experience? What are typical class/lab sizes? What student support services are available? How long does it take to complete the program?
Meet with faculty/staff. Attend the nursing student club meetings. Are current students happy? Are employers happy with grads?
Featured Replies
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later.
If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Here are a few questions to ask a nursing program before you apply:
Clinicals- what sites are offered? How many total clinical hours do students attend snd how does this compare to other similar programs? What is the faculty:student ratio at clinicals? What education/experience is required for faculty supervising clinicals? Are they taught by adjuncts or full time faculty? Will the majority of my experience be acute care or community-based? What do graduates and employers say about their skill level after graduation? How far is the expected commute? Is simulation a part of clinical hours?
General- what is your NCLEX pass rate over the last 5 years? What is your retention rate? Tuition cost? Do you use hesi/ATI or similar tests to determine retention/promotion to the next course/graduation? Average debt carried by grads? Job placement rates over last 5 years? Opportunities to find work in the area? Do they recommend working during school? Are there state/local scholarships? Who is my advisor? Do you offer remediation/assistance for those who need it? Is the program accredited, and if so, by what agency? What is faculty educational level/experience? What are typical class/lab sizes? What student support services are available? How long does it take to complete the program?
Meet with faculty/staff. Attend the nursing student club meetings. Are current students happy? Are employers happy with grads?