Friday, March 20, 2015

Important Points To Consider When Choosing Nursing Schools

By Lena Stephenson


A career as a nurse not only provides one with the satisfaction of being able to help others get well, but it also provides a wide range of opportunities and job security in the workforce. Choosing the school where one will train to become a nurse is the initial step in this process. Prospective students in Perth Amboy, NJ who want to compare nursing schools in order to pick the best one should consider these guidelines.

Students can choose to study at the certificate or diploma level in either a practical nursing or associate's degree program, or they can pursue a bachelor's of science degree (BSN) which will allow them to practice as a registered nurse upon completion of the national exam. This latter program of study is generally recommended over the others as it provides more opportunities for employment.

A student can become a licensed vocational or practical nurse after about one year of schooling. Successful graduates must take a licensing exam, and then they may seek employment in hospitals and clinics. An associate's degree program (ADN)takes 2-3 years to complete and involves additional classroom time and the study of more specialized areas.

It takes 4 years of study to graduate from a BSN program. Nurses holding this credential can either look for employment in a wide range of medical settings or they may also choose to pursue study at the graduate level such as an MSN or doctorate. Training involves the development of communication, leadership, and critical thinking skills as well as the ind-depth study of disease, treatment, and medical technology.

The school one chooses needs to offer not only the specific type of training desired, but also specialization in a particular area of practice if this is of interest to the student. Some schools gear their curriculum to specialized areas of study, while others offer a more broad program which encompasses all aspects equally. Students may also wish to inquire about the locations where the school runs its clinical rotations.

It's also necessary to give some consideration to where the campus is located if this is a concern, it should be relatively accessible by either private or public transportation from where one lives. Furthermore, the school needs to be accredited by either the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission, or both. These organizations periodically review the school's policies, finances, programs, and staff to ensure high standards.

The financial aid offered by the school or made available through it is another aspect that will be of importance to those who plan on applying for assistance in the form of loans, grants, or bursaries. It can also be helpful to find out if the school requires nursing program applicants to write a pre-admission test to assess their suitability for a career in healthcare, and if so, how one can best prepare for it.

It can also be helpful to do some research and look up the NCLEX (national licensing exam)pass rates of graduates from the school one is considering since this can say a lot about the quality of its instruction. Checking pass rates from the past five to ten years is advisable. Performance on this exam is essential, as one most successfully pass it in order to become licensed to practice nursing in the state.




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