Students are pursuing nursing as a career because of its rewarding nature and assured increasing demand. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, nursing jobs will grow by 9 percent by 2028, which is faster when compared with other fields.

Nursing provides a wide array of opportunities in various specializations like cardiac care, emergency care, and surgery, and helps find employment at different workplaces like healthcare systems, schools, and business organizations. With a nursing degree, besides patient care, nurses can take on teaching positions as nurse educators, provide consultancy in a legal capacity, work as writers and take on administrative roles in healthcare organizations.

If you want to become a registered nurse, you must select a program that best fits your long and short-term goals. The program you choose will impact your career path. Since there are many nursing programs available, it can be difficult to select the right one. Consider the following factors to make that choice easier:

  1. Offline vs. online programs

While opting for an offline program might seem like the obvious choice, you can also opt for online degrees in this day and age. Technology makes becoming a nurse extremely easy by enrolling in online nursing programs and completing the required coursework. Plus, it’s cheaper and gives you the luxury of studying from a location of your choice. So weigh the pros and cons of both.

  1. Degree type

Decide which nursing degree you want, whether an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree. Some schools offer both degrees, while some only offer one. Once you decide which degree you want, you can focus on selecting the university. If you don’t want to invest four years in a bachelor’s program to become a registered nurse, then opt for an associate degree. But if you have four years to commit to studies and want to pursue a future in administrative and managerial nursing roles, opt for a bachelor’s degree.

  1. Quality of the faculty

When selecting a nursing program, look at the quality of the faculty. The faculty spends a lot of time with aspiring nursing students and performs the role of both mentor and educator. Also, find out about the faculty’s educational background, on-job, and academic experience. Inexperienced educators can negatively affect the quality of education and, ultimately, the quality of patient care you provide in a clinical setting. You can check out the educators’ experience on the universities website. You can also talk to students in the university about their experience with the faculty.

  1. Cost of the program and financial aid

It is important to determine the tuition cost and whether you can afford it. A nursing program usually costs between 20 to 100 thousand dollars, depending on the type of degree, the niche, and whether the school is private or public. There are also other financial costs to consider, which include the cost of commuting to campus, lodging costs if the campus is out of the city, and the cost of books. You can look for financial assistance from the government. But if you don’t qualify, you can also contact the financial aid representatives at your preferred school to solve your financial problems. You can look for a work-study program at your school. You can also apply for scholarships, grants, or loans at your school.

  1. NCLEX success percentage

To become a registered nurse, nursing students must pass the NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) test after graduation. An NCLEX exam tests the skills and ability of a nursing student and reflects how the students were taught in the school and, ultimately, the quality of a nursing school. Nursing schools with more than 75% of students learning the NCLEX test in the first go are considered among the best schools in the country. When seeking admission to a nursing school, check out the university’s website for this information. You shouldn’t apply to schools with low NCLEX passing rates.

  1. Accreditation

Accreditation ensures that the nursing program and school follow legal and professional standards and prepare students to be qualified nurses. Employers also prefer to hire nursing graduates with an accredited degrees. Besides this, an accredited degree is necessary to pursue higher education opportunities like an MSN (Master of Nursing Science) to become an administrator in a hospital or a nurse educator. Before getting admission to your nursing program, check the accreditation of your university and nursing program.


Nurse or nurse checks the blood pressure of a senior citizen

  1. Placement Programs Offered

Colleges use their networking relationships with local healthcare establishments, healthcare businesses, and school systems to help students line up for jobs after graduation. Some schools also offer exclusive job listings that only the student of their nursing program can apply for. Reach out to the placement office to see what opportunities await you.

Conclusion

The right nursing school will help you get more job opportunities, acing the NCLEX exam to become a registered nurse. Nursing schools are expensive, and getting into the right one is important. Therefore, you must research various factors related to your preferred nursing program. Get in touch with current students and ask for their advice. Also, check the nursing school’s website and social media pages. The selection of the nursing program can affect the trajectory of your career and your future nursing goals. You can use the tips above to select the nursing program that is the right fit for you.

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