nursing schools fall 2021

Starting a nursing career: What to look for in a nursing school

• Accreditation
• Reputation
• Connections with hospitals and health care organizations
• Job placement rates
• Faculty and staff
• Curriculum

How to finance your education

The first step to securing financial aid for your nursing school education is filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). There are many forms of financial aid you may qualify for as a student: scholarships, grants, work-study programs, and loans. Grants and scholarships are awarded based on merit, while federal loans are available to students who demonstrate financial need. Work-study programs provide employment opportunities that allow you to earn money while studying.

After you fill out the FAFSA form and receive an award letter from your school’s financial aid office, you’ll need to decide which funding option(s) best meet your needs. While private loans may be available from banks or other institutions, it’s best to go with federal loans because they have lower fixed interest rates and more repayment options. Grants don’t need to be repaid at all!

Scholarships are another excellent way to fund your nursing school education without taking out loans. Many organizations offer scholarships specially designed for future nurses:

• American Association of Colleges of Nursing Scholarship Programs & Fellowships
• Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) Nursing Scholarship Program
• American Nurses Foundation Scholarships & Research Grants

Why do you need a nursing program?

Nursing programs are required for anyone wanting to become a nurse. It is essential that nurses have a thorough knowledge of current medical research and treatment, which is why nursing programs are so important. There are many excellent nursing programs available in the United States, and there is no reason why you cannot enter one of them if you have the dedication and commitment to master this profession.

Look for hands-on experience and simulation labs

As you narrow down schools, consider what kind of hands-on experience the program offers. As it turns out, students learn best when they are actively involved and engaged in their training. Experiential learning is especially important to nursing school, because nurses treat different patients with varied needs every day and must be ready for any challenge that arises. Although classes will teach you the knowledge and skills you need to be successful, getting meaningful hands-on experience will help you put your learning into practice—and can give you some confidence when it’s time to work as a nurse.

What kinds of opportunities can you expect from a nursing program? Perhaps your school offers an externship program that allows students to get clinical training at a local health care facility or hospital. Other programs may provide volunteer opportunities for students, such as community health fairs or blood drives at organizations like the American Red Cross and American Cancer Society. These experiences allow for students to gain valuable skills such as:

• taking vital measurements
• assessing patient needs
• providing medical advice

Is new grad support available?

The clinical setting can be intimidating, especially if you’re still learning the ropes of nursing. But don’t worry—schools want to make sure you feel supported throughout your education and in your first job as a new grad RN. Some of the support that’s available includes:

• mentorship from an experienced nurse, which can give you confidence in your abilities and help you learn from someone who has already been through what you’re going through
• new grad orientation, which will get you ready for the role of a nurse by teaching time management skills and prioritization strategies
• mentorship from clinical nurse educators, who are specially trained to help students in their journey of becoming nurses
• new grad residency programs, which complement your education with even more hands-on training
• new grad support groups that provide peer support both during school and after graduation
• NCLEX review courses that prepare students for the exam they’ll need to pass to become an RN

Will they help me find a job?

One of the advantages of attending nursing school is that you’ll have access to a strong network of career-minded people that have the same goal as you: getting a job in your field. Different nursing schools offer varying levels of job placement assistance, so you should research how much support they can give you.

Will they help me find a job?

If your main goal is to start working as soon as possible, then it’s important to make sure that the school offers assistance with job placement. They should be able to tell you if they have a good track record helping their graduates find jobs and what kinds of positions students typically land. It’s also helpful if their alumni are active participants in their career assistance program, because this can lead to more opportunities for current students. Ask them how many places their graduates have been hired at over time—if there aren’t any statistics for past years yet, ask what percentage were placed when looking at last year’s graduating class or even just from personal experience.”

Here are the things you need to look for when choosing a health care program.

These are the main factors to consider when choosing an online nursing degree program.

• Accreditation: When researching programs, make sure that the one you’re considering is accredited. That way, you can be sure it meets certain quality standards of practice and education.
• Faculty: The professors in your program should have a variety of experiences in health care settings and should be passionate about teaching students how to be successful health care professionals. Professors who do not have experience working with real patients may not be able to teach what it’s like to work hands-on with patients—and this is important information for aspiring nurses to learn!
• Reputation: A reputable nursing program will produce well-rounded graduates who know how to think critically on their feet and make good decisions quickly. It’s also important that a school has relationships with other organizations so that students can gain exposure outside of their school environment while they’re learning.
• Learning opportunities: Make sure the school offers a wide range of options for learning, including internships or externships as well as classroom instruction with labs or clinical practice courses where students can get hands-on training for actual patient care situations