FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN YOU SELECT A NURSING SCHOOL

There are few things to consider when you want to chose a nursing program.

1. The passing rate on the NCLEX.
NCLEX is the exam that has to be passed before a license to practice is awarded. Some schools/programs have low passing rates. You don't want to throw your money away by going to a school that consistently have low rates. Below is a link to one of the reports on passing rates for the year 2013 for in USA Nursing schools and the states.

Click here for the report.

Few observation:

•  Students trained outside the USA tend to have low passing rates. 
• Second time test takers also tend to have low passing rates.
• Some states have better prepared nursing graduate.

2. Do the faculty have a caring attitude toward the students? Do they have genuine interest in the students? You can find this out by talking to current students in the program.

3. Does the program have a state of art facility to train the nursing students?

4. How affordable is the program?

5. How rigorous is the program? Is it an accelerated program or 4-year BSN program?

6. Will you be able to combine the program with your work schedule? Do you have to give up work completely or work on part-time basis?

7. What is the current and established graduation rates for the program?
Note that a lot of people who start nursing programs never get to complete. About 50-60% of all students who start nursing programs will dropout. Therefore, always have plan A and plan B just in case so that you don't waste time or get disappointed. The schools are rated by their passing rates on the NCLEX so the nursing instructors are very tough. You definitely have to perform well to graduate and to pass the NCLEX.