Does it matter what nursing school you go to? Absolutely. When considering how to choose a nursing program, you need to do your due diligence. Consider factors like accreditation, admissions requirements, learning options and clinical partners, and look for programs that offer high-tech nursing labs.
Today’s prospective nursing students have more education options to choose from than ever before. However, more options can make it difficult to figure out how to choose a nursing program. If you want to become a nurse but unsure of where to start, you’ve come to the right place.
At Felician University, we’re well-versed in helping students navigate their nursing journey. Our Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program allows students with a non-nursing degree or at least 60 college credits from an accredited institution to earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in as few as 16 months.
There are many factors to consider when learning how to choose a nursing school. Below, we will show you what to look for in a nursing program and how to make the right decision based on your nursing goals.
What Is the Best Nursing Program? Types to Consider
Does it matter what nursing school you go to? Absolutely. In addition to differences in the quality and comprehensiveness of the nursing curriculum, different programs lead to different nursing degrees. So, before thinking about how to choose a nursing program, you need to decide what type of degree to pursue.
It’s possible to become a registered nurse with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). However, these degree options do not produce the same career outcomes or opportunities for advancement.
Nurses with a BSN tend to have more job opportunities and earn higher salaries than those with an ADN. Additionally, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing recognizes that BSN-prepared nurses are better able to provide higher standards of patient care, leading to better patient outcomes.
Furthermore, a BSN is a prerequisite for earning a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), both of which lead to the pursuit of career advancement.
Learn more about the advantages of a BSN for your nursing career.
Traditional BSN Programs
Now that you know it’s best to enter the nursing profession with a BSN, you need to choose between a traditional and accelerated BSN. Traditional BSN programs are a strong choice for high school graduates or those with fewer than 60 college credits. These four-year programs consist of both general education and a nursing-specific curriculum.
Accelerated BSN Programs
While traditional BSN programs are four years long, accelerated BSN programs typically allow students to graduate in less than two years. They are designed for students with a non-nursing college education, such as a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or at least 60 non-nursing college credits. The ABSN curriculum teaches the same nursing-specific content as a traditional program but in a more condensed timeframe.
The CCNE-accredited ABSN curriculum at Felician contains a combination of:
- Nursing coursework (online or in-person, depending chosen program)
- Skills and simulation labs
- Clinical rotations
How does an accelerated BSN program work? Learn how the ABSN program at Felician helps you earn your degree in 16 months.
What to Look for in a Nursing Program
As you research different BSN programs, you need to assess their quality, costs and admission requirements. In doing so, you can narrow your choices. What is the best nursing program regarding these factors? There are many options to choose from, and sometimes the best way to determine the right one is by reaching out to an admissions counselor.
1. Accreditation
When choosing an accelerated nursing program, or any nursing program for that matter, it should be accredited. What accreditation does a nursing school need? All nursing programs on your shortlist should be accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
An accredited nursing program provides a quality education that adheres to nationally established standards, designed to safeguard the public by graduating highly competent and capable nurses.
2. Tuition and Fees
Tuition and fees vary significantly from program to program. No matter where you attend, nursing school is an investment that requires careful financial planning.
When you find a nursing program within your budget, you must identify ways to pay for nursing school. Federal direct loans, private loans and scholarships are among the most common forms of payment. You can reach out to your chosen school’s financial aid office for help in navigating your options.
Is accelerated nursing school worth it? Use these questions to help you decide if nursing school is right for you.
3. Admissions Requirements
Every nursing program has a different set of admissions requirements. Schools use everything from cumulative GPA and entrance exam scores to prerequisite grades to determine your eligibility. So, before you apply to a nursing school, make sure you meet its admissions requirements. At Felician, our admissions counselors can guide you through the admissions process and help you meet the requirements for admission.
4. Start Dates
While they might not be the most important factor to look for when choosing a nursing program, start dates should still play a role in your decision. Unlike traditional BSN schools, ABSN programs may offer more than two start dates per year. For instance, at Felician, choosing our hybrid nursing degree program means you can select from a start date in January, May or August.
5. Flexible Learning Options
Does it matter what nursing school you go to in terms of the approach to learning? Definitely. Many ABSN programs offer a hybrid online approach, where you complete online coursework and attend in-person experiential learning components. At Felician, however, you have a choice between a hybrid or on-ground nursing program.
In the hybrid ABSN program in Parsippany, NJ, students complete their fundamental coursework online, whereas in the on-ground ABSN program in Rutherford, NJ, students complete their coursework in the classroom. All ABSN students complete in-person experiential learning components at their ABSN Learning Site and in nearby healthcare facilities and can earn their BSN in 16 months.
6. Comprehensive Labs With High-Tech Medical Manikins
Another factor to consider when learning how to choose a nursing school is the quality of the school’s labs. You should choose a nursing program that has both nursing skills and simulation labs. Skills labs are where you develop fundamental nursing skills, like nasogastric intubation. In simulation labs, you develop clinical reasoning and problem-solving skills as you work through simulated patient care scenarios.
It’s ideal to choose a school that offers high-tech medical manikins. These manikins simulate life-like functions, like a heartbeat. At Felician, our high-tech medical manikins can even experience allergic reactions and talk. You will practice everything from responding to cardiac arrest to assisting in labor and delivery in nursing labs.
7. Clinical Experiences
Every nursing school includes clinical rotations in its curriculum. Nursing school clinicals involve working shifts at an actual healthcare facility, where you provide direct patient care under the supervision of healthcare staff and instructors.
You should choose a nursing school that partners with a leading healthcare facility for clinical rotation placements. Felician is pleased to have the renowned Atlantic Health System as our clinical partner, along with other top healthcare facilities in the area.
8. Helpful Admissions Staff
Even after you choose the right nursing school, navigating the admissions process can be intimidating. Fortunately, at Felician, our admissions team will guide you through each step. Our admissions counselors will put together a personalized plan geared toward your needs and goals and answer any questions you may have.
Questions to Ask About Nursing School
You should compile a list of your questions before contacting an admissions counselor. It’s also helpful to have a copy of your unofficial transcripts on hand. In order to have a constructive conversation with an admissions counselor, consider asking questions such as the following:
What Is Your Admission Process Like?
Given that nurses are in high demand across the country, more people want to enter the profession. However, most nursing school admissions teams cannot keep up with the influx of applications.
This means that countless applicants do not receive the support they need to submit the most competitive application possible. So, it’s important to try and gauge the level of admissions support you’ll receive when vetting potential nursing programs.
What Are Your NCLEX-RN® Pass Rates?
Every nursing school graduate must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to practice as a registered nurse. You can often judge the quality of a nursing program based on its first-time NCLEX pass rates compared to the national averages.
Do You Have a Waitlist for Nursing School?
A significant number of nursing schools in this country do not have enough faculty, space and/or clinical placements to expand their class sizes. As a result, they must turn away or waitlist countless qualified applicants every year. So, if you’re looking to start nursing school as soon as possible, you’ll want to avoid programs with waitlists.
What Do You Look for in Prospective Nursing Students?
When applying to nursing school, you will likely be required to submit a goal statement or personal essay on why you want to become a nurse. Knowing what a school looks for in a student can help you craft your message.
Ready to Apply to Our Nursing Program?
If you have a non-nursing college education and want to accelerate into the nursing profession, Felician University’s ABSN program in New Jersey can help you do so. There’s no waitlist, and our ABSN program is currently enrolling for spring, summer, and fall terms. Fill out our online form to contact our admissions team today and begin your path to nursing school.