how to select a nursing school?

pickaprof.com and ratemyprofessor.com can be pretty good in assessing professors.

pickaprof.com and ratemyprofessor.com can be pretty good in assessing professors.

Normally I would disagree about ratemyprofessor.com. I've noticed that so many of the reviews are off base for the regular instructors at my school, but strangely enough, they seem to be on target when it comes to the nursing instructors. (nursing one that is, haven't experienced the others yet).

I wouldn't advise that you make your decision based soley on ratemyprofesor.com though. Look at their NCLEX pass rate for the last few years. Has it gone down? Has it gone up? If it's gone down for a few years in row, I'd be worried about the infrastructure, perhaps it indicates too much internal change (and not for the good either).

Ask former graduates of the program you are considering attending. Ask them if they'd recommend that school.

Call several of your area hospitals and ask "Everything else being equal, what students would you prefer to hire, students from ABC university or students from XYZ Junior College?"

Look at the programs graduation rate, do they keep most of their students all the way through or are they losing most of them?

These are just some ideas, but above all, make sure the school is accredited. LOL.

Normally I would disagree about ratemyprofessor.com. I've noticed that so many of the reviews are off base for the regular instructors at my school, but strangely enough, they seem to be on target when it comes to the nursing instructors. (nursing one that is, haven't experienced the others yet).

I wouldn't advise that you make your decision based soley on ratemyprofesor.com though. Look at their NCLEX pass rate for the last few years. Has it gone down? Has it gone up? If it's gone down for a few years in row, I'd be worried about the infrastructure, perhaps it indicates too much internal change (and not for the good either).

Ask former graduates of the program you are considering attending. Ask them if they'd recommend that school.

Call several of your area hospitals and ask "Everything else being equal, what students would you prefer to hire, students from ABC university or students from XYZ Junior College?"

Look at the programs graduation rate, do they keep most of their students all the way through or are they losing most of them?

These are just some ideas, but above all, make sure the school is accredited. LOL.

I agree with lostdruid.

Ask as many graduates or current students as you can what they think of the program.

Find out the NCLEX passing rate. I was pretty disappointed to learn the final quarter of school that the expensive program I had almost finished had dismal NCLEX pass rate compared to almost all the community colleges.

Ask the recruiters what they think of the graduates from schools xyz.

What ever school you go to, make friends with someone in the class (quarter or semester before you) so you can have a head's up on what's coming next.

I live in CA also, and graduated from a CSU nursing program. In addition to NCLEX pass rates and hear-say about the school's reputation, I highly suggest you GO VISIT the school! Boy, am I glad I did. I'm not naming names, but one school I visited that had a great reputation, seemed like the faculty were very puffed up and arrogant and cold as ice. Another school I visited was professional, but warm and welcoming. I chose the school that I felt I would feel more comfortable, and would learn more. In fact, I actually left the arrogant school during pre-orientation to go the the other school.I am so glad I did. See if you can talk to some students from the program. Often the school of nursing dept. can give you the names of CNSA (Calif, Nursing Students Assoc.) members who would love to talk to you! Good luck! Hope you find a great school.:balloons:

Both De Anza and San Jose State have EXCELLENT nursing programs. You would not be wrong going with either of those. If you don't mind the commute another one that is good is Chabot in Hayward, they are an ADN program. Chabot has a good pass rate on the Boards.

Can't give you advice on your particular choices, but what I looked at was schools retention/graduation rate. I agree its important to "weed out" people who may have no business in nursing school, but that should NEVER be the schools primary goal. One such school I looked into has a graduation rate of about 20, when they actually took in 70 students. I hear if you graduate from there you're really smart, yet I feel if you have a nervous breakdown on the way, and have those nice loans to pay back anyway, you really don't care about those that graduated.

good luck!