Academix

What to Consider When Choosing a School of Nursing (Pre-Licensure)

Academix: What to Consider When Choosing a School of Nursing (Pre-Licensure)

There are varying thoughts on this topic! In some areas the profession agrees on, in other areas it’s an old west bar fight if you get the right people in the room! But I’m going to share my thoughts anyway, despite my better judgement.

We’ll start with my readers that may just be looking at the profession of nursing, but have not committed and we’ll work our way to Doctoral studies in future blogs.

Entry into the Profession

Most professions that look at nursing must think we are out of our minds with the various ways people get into the profession of nursing. We have:

• Certificate or diploma programs (Not many of those left in the US and more difficult to get hired with one of these)

• ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing - Takes about 4 years to complete. 2 years of prerequisites and 2 year nursing program)

  • The idea was ADN programs were going to replace Diploma, Certificate, and LVN/LPN programs… (never happened)

  • Also keep in mind many hospitals, especially Magnet hospitals are looking for BSN prepared. Use your ADN as a jumping off point into the profession but consider a BSN or higher after…

• BSN (Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing 4 - 5 years to complete)

  • Nursing has been struggling with making the BSN the minimum as entry into practice, but we realize the ADN, Diploma, & Certificate programs are all opportunities to bring many out of poverty and a boost in society.

• ABSN (Accelerated BSN, for those with a previous bachelors or higher degree in another field - average 18 month)

• ELMN (Entry level Masters in Nursing - Need to have a minimum of a Bachelors in another field - about 3 years but includes a Masters degree)

I think that’s it??? Oh, many of these programs are offered in person, on-line, and hybrid. Clinical time would obviously have to be in person.

So, which one is the best fit for you? A few items to consider as you take this leap.

A few essentials and MUST haves are:

1. Needs to be accredited.

   • Check your State Licensing Board (Board of Registered Nursing) and whichever other body that accredits the program (ie. CCNE or NLN)

2. Needs to provide clinical experience.

The other things you should look at is:

1. NCLEX pass rates. (available through the State Board of Registered Nursing)

   • Hopefully its greater than 90% pass rate first time test takers.

2. Look at the schools national ranking (NCLEX Pass rates are a 1000X more important. This may be a better indicator of looking at Masters or Doctoral programs)

3. CO$T! Make sure you understand the fees.

   • RED FLAG 🚩- Schools that promise you your cost will be offset by all the loans they can get you. Do your homework and know what kind of debt you’ll have after you graduate.

   • Find out all the grants, scholarships, and free stuff (ie. books, equipment, services…) you’re eligible for.

4. Attendance:

   • How many days a week?

   • Semester vs. Quarters? Self paced? Monthly? Year round?

   • How many days a week for classes?

5. What’s the workload in the program?

   • Can you work?

   • How many days a week do you have to be in clinicals

   • How many days of in-person and/or on-line work

   • Try and go to an open house and if possible talk to some current students!

6. Environment

   • Take a look at the campus:

     • Classes, equipment, technology, simulation lab

     • class sizes

     • diversity in both faculty, staff, and students

Lastly, ask what the school is looking for when they admit students and make sure you have everything checked off. Have all yourprerequisites and requirements, volunteer experience, and any other hoops you have to jump throough completed.

So, do you see yourself in the environment and successful. If all your spider senses are tingling than go for it……………….. and Good Luck!