Hello future nurse, 

So it’s time for you to choose a nursing program and you are trying to make a decision on the best choice because let’s face it….. there are way too many out there. Not to worry though, there are some important things you should focus on while making your choice.

Now let’s talk about the top 5 things you should consider before making a final decision. 

• ACCREDITATION

This is the one single most important factor that you must pay attention to before choosing a nursing program. What is accreditation? You may ask. In simple terms, for nursing programs to be able to issue nursing degrees, they must already be approved to do so.

Accreditation bodies ensure that the education you receive from your nursing program is of the required quality, that meets the requirements for graduation. The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) manages the accreditation of associates, diploma, baccalaureate and graduate level nursing programs. On the other hand, the Commission on the Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) provides accreditation for baccalaureate, graduate level, and post-graduate APRN programs. 

Just remember, you cannot take the national board certification exam (NCLEX) if your nursing program lacks accreditation. This will also restrict you from being able to gain employment in your field of study because you won’t be able to take the NCLEX exam and be licensed. Use this link to verify that your program is accredited before you move further in your application.

• NCLEX PASS RATES 

Another important factor that tells a lot about a nursing program is the NCLEX pass rate. Off course you want to know if the program is able to prepare you for the board licensing exam, and you can use the NCLEX pass rate to do this. Most programs have this information readily available on their official website but you can always call the program to inquire about it, if you are unable to find it.

Alternatively, this information may also be available on your state’s board of nursing (BON) website, which details every nursing program in that state. Using this list, you can see how many students were in each nursing program for each year , and the percentage of them that passed the NCLEX. Here is a sample link for the state of Texas detailing the NCLEX pass rates for nursing programs in Texas between 2016 and 2020.

• ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Every nursing program has its own requirements for admission and these are important for you to know. Some have more requirements than others and depending on the requirements, some might take longer to complete than others. Knowing what is needed early will help your elimination process and also help you decide if this aligns with your timeline.

For instance, while some programs require the HESI admissions assessment exam, others require the TEAS entrance exam. Each of these have varying difficulty levels and have different prep courses available for purchase online. Also ask about GPA requirements and if your GPA is not high enough, ask about options for taking entry level courses through the program to raise your GPA. Some programs may grant you admission and have you enroll in some courses which will raise your GPA, and then consider you for admission to the nursing program following successful completion of those courses.

• PRE-REQUISITES 

Pre-requisites are pretty much the foundational courses you need to complete before actually beginning to take specialized nursing program courses. Pre-requisites may also tie into admission requirements to the nursing program itself but not the college of choice. In the same way, the number of foundational courses needed varies among nursing programs.

Another important factor about pre-requisites is the transferring of credits. If you took some of these foundational classes at another college, you should ask the nursing program if you can transfer those credits. Remember!! Some programs have a 5-year expiration date on these courses, so do not make assumptions and make sure you ask. 

• TUITION AND LOCATION

Paying for college is expensive and tuition is very important to consider because it gives you an idea of what you will owe after receiving your degree. The average cost of an associates degree runs between $10,000 and $40,000 in total. Additionally, baccalaureate programs tend to cost anywhere from $72,000 for some public universities and $104,000 for some private universities. Your program might offer grants for students based on different factors that might apply to you.

Location is also important because it will determine how far you will have to go to get to your classes everyday. You don’t want to have to deal with the stress of nursing school and a long commute but if this is your only option, then choose the closest one to you.

I HOPE ALL OF THESE HELP. 

All in all, there are so many other factors to consider but these are the most important ones. Choosing a nursing program can be difficult but considering and utilizing the tips listed above will help solidify your choice.

Check out our other educational posts such as Job Ideas For Nursing Students and Nursing Student Must Haves

Feel free to send a message with any questions about this post. You can also book a coaching/tutoring session with us.