Deciding where to attend nursing school is a big decision and one that will affect the rest of your career. Getting into a great nursing program can be challenging, especially if you have limited options in your city. Even if you are accepted, you may have to wait a whole year for school to begin, which can feel like a waste of time. However, relocating for nursing school is a great option to consider, as it can help you transition to nursing school more quickly and easily.
There are many reasons why relocating for nursing school to a school like Felician University in New Jersey can be to your advantage. The 16-month Hybrid Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program in Parsippany, NJ, and the 18-month On-Ground ABSN program in Rutherford, NJ, help our students earn a bachelor’s degree quickly.
Let’s discuss why relocating for nursing school can be advantageous for you. Then we’ll talk about some of the reasons New Jersey is a prime location for completing your nursing degree.
Why Consider Relocating for Nursing School?
There are a few great reasons why you should consider relocating for nursing school, such as the ability to save time and be more selective about choosing a high-quality program.
1. Ability to Avoid a Waitlist for Nursing School
All too often, excellent nursing school applicants are placed on a waitlist because nursing programs are too overcrowded to accept everyone. This can cause additional stress while delaying your educational journey. Students often have to wait upwards of a year before they can begin.
However, some nursing schools are taking steps to combat the problem of having too few seats available for nursing students. Felician University offers three separate start dates each year for the Hybrid ASBN program and one start date yearly for the On-Ground ABSN. This means we can educate more students than many other programs that have just one start date per year. This increases your chances of being accepted into the ABSN program sooner rather than later.
If relocating for nursing school means you can get into a program sooner and avoid a waitlist for nursing school, it’s worth considering making the move.
2. More Selectivity About Program Quality
Another advantage of relocating for nursing school is that you can choose from all the nursing programs in the country rather than just your local options. You may have a nursing school near you, but is it your best option?
When you expand your search to the entire country, there are more options available to you. That means you can be more selective about what you’re looking for in a potential nursing school. You can choose programs like Felician’s Hybrid ABSN that are known for providing interactive online classes if you prefer self-directed learning. You can focus on programs with high-quality, in-person nursing labs and clinical rotations, a reputation for excellence, and good NCLEX pass rates.
3. Clinical Rotations in a Healthcare Hub
While there are many similarities between nursing programs, one distinguishing factor that sets excellent programs apart from the rest is the quality of clinical education. Diverse clinical rotations at regional healthcare facilities are vital for teaching nursing students how to apply their skills to a real patient environment.
Therefore, if you can find a program that offers exceptional clinical experiences, like Felician’s ABSN program, you’re going to be better prepared for a great clinical nursing career. By relocating, you may be able to access a stronger clinical curriculum than is available locally. That may make relocating for nursing school worthwhile, as it gives you a much better foundation for a thriving career.
Why Relocate to New Jersey for Nursing School?
What’s great about attending nursing school at Felician is that whether you choose the Hybrid ABSN program in Parsippany, NJ, or the On-Ground ABSN program in Rutherford, NJ, you’ll be close to NYC. You’ll reap the benefits of a quieter suburban lifestyle for studying while having easy access to the culture, shows, shopping, and food of New York City.
Living in Parsippany
The Hybrid ABSN program at Felician is located in Parsippany, which is 33 miles outside of NYC. The city of Parsippany has a population of 56,120 as of July 2021 and is a tight-knit community with a city vibe.
Parsippany offers countless benefits, earning an A+ rating from Niche. The township is known for its natural beauty and outdoor activities, and it’s also a great place for families. Parsippany has a prominent cultural and culinary scene, boasting numerous highly-rated restaurants with cuisine ranging from Moroccan to Italian to Chinese.
In your free time outside of studying for nursing school, you’ll want to be sure to tour some of the scenic parts of the region, such as The Frelinghuysen Arboretum, Pyramid Mountain, and the Patriots Path trail.
Living in Rutherford
Offering an in-person nursing school format, Felician’s On-Ground ABSN program is located in Rutherford, NJ, a suburb located just 13 miles from New York City. Rutherford is a small community of 18,690 people, as of July 2021.
The suburb of Rutherford has received an A rating from Niche and is known for being family-friendly while also having good restaurants and nightlife. Some of the city’s best eateries include cuisine from Italy, Persia, Japan, and Cuba. The city is also home to the Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament, where you can dine while watching knights battle in the arena below you.
Rutherford has several parks and green spaces where you can enjoy nature and spend time hiking or running. If you choose to attend nursing school in Rutherford, you can be sure of finding a charming community where you will feel at home and at the same time be able to make a quick drive into NYC if the mood strikes you.
Why Become a Nurse in NYC?
The benefits of becoming a nurse in the greater NYC metro area are numerous. Not only will you get to enjoy the lifestyle of this bustling city, but there are also several career benefits. For one, NYC is a healthcare hub with some of the best and brightest nurses and healthcare providers in the country. By attending nursing school just outside this city, you’ll be in a good position to start your career as a nurse in NYC.
Job opportunities in NYC are numerous, as the New York-Newark-Jersey City metropolitan area employs more nurses than any other area in the country, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Nurses in the area earn a competitive salary, as well, averaging $98,460 per year, (BLS data from May 2021).
Ready to Learn More About Felician’s ABSN?
Now that you understand why relocating for nursing school is such a good idea, consider applying to the ABSN program at Felician. Through either our Hybrid or On-Ground ABSN program, students with at least 60 non-nursing college credits or a non-nursing bachelor’s degree are eligible to apply for the ABSN program.
To learn more about the ABSN program, fill out our online form, and our admissions counselors will get in touch with you. We’ll help you every step of the way as you earn your nursing degree!