Top Nursing Schools
How to Find the Top Nursing Schools For You
If you’re researching the top nursing schools, you’ve probably noticed that there is a lot of information out there. Some of it is helpful and informative, but a lot of it doesn’t give you much to work with. There are no one-size-fits-all nursing schools, as everyone has a unique personal and educational background. Choosing the right school for you involves asking yourself what you would like to do with your nursing degree, how you want the educational process to go, and what you’re capable of achieving in the future.
So rather than relying on those guides that claim to know the “top nursing schools” in the country, take a you-focused approach, and try to find the school that meets your particular needs. Here are some steps you might want to take.
1. Set your criteria: Set everything else aside for the moment, and imagine your perfect schooling experience. Now, realize that there are hundreds and hundreds of nursing schools available, and know that at least one of these schools is likely to be a perfect match for you. It may not be among those that are traditionally thought of as the top nursing schools. It might even be some small, unheralded school in your area. With this in mind, make a list of the things you want out of your experience, and try to find the school that best meets your criteria.
2. Visit schools: Reading descriptions of schools can give you a rough idea of what to expect, but it’s not going to give you a real sense of what it’s like to be there. The only way to know for sure if a school feels right is to see it in person. Walk through its hallways, talk to teachers and students, and try to get a good feeling for the school’s energy.
Of course, this doesn’t apply to online schools, but in this case you can make an effort to talk on the phone to administrators and teachers (and students, if possible), so that you can actually hear the voices of the people who will be guiding your education.
3. Consider costs: Student loans can be helpful in small amounts, but they can also be crippling. As you’re narrowing your list of the top nursing schools for you, don’t underestimate the importance of the total cost of attending. Keep in mind that the most expensive schools aren’t always the best, and the best aren’t always the most expensive.
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This post is right on. I’ve been a registered nurse for several years, and I pretty much did what your article suggests. I have several acquaintances who went to nursing school, and I talked with each of them to get their opinion, pro and con on the nursing school that they went to. After doing that, I visited three colleges, one very large and two smaller ones. The large name school was quite expensive, a very good school, but I just didn’t feel the “comfort factor”. I finally selected one of the smaller ones and it seemed that everything that I was looking for, such as location, size of class, ability to study, etc., was there. I’m glad that I did too because I feel that I have learned very much from a dedicated group of instructors. I plan to further my education and specialize in a few years, and maybe even become a Nurse Practitioner. Your comment above where is says that the best school is not necessarily the most expensive is so true.