How to Evaluate a Student's Nursing School

Nursing programs can be found at all different types of universities. Some online programs also offer nursing degrees. You can attend a large university to study nursing, or you can go to a small community college in your town. If you are evaluating a nursing school for yourself, for your child or to recommend to your high school students, keep several factors in mind. Doing so will ensure that it's the right school for the attending student.

• 1

  Make sure the nursing school is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.

• 2

  Find out which degrees are offered through the nursing school. To become a nurse, a student can get either an associate's or a bachelor's degree. Also, find out if coursework is offered online.

• 3

  Get more details about the school, including the exact location of classes, how many students are in a typical nursing class and the graduation rate. These details can help you evaluate the program.

• 4

  Talk with a financial aid advisor for the nursing school program about the cost of tuition and possible scholarship money that is available for nursing students. Ask about the criteria for receiving that money, such as grades or an essay submission.

• 5

  Check the list of specialties that are available through the nursing school. Some students will want to choose a nursing specialty, such as working with cancer patients or the HIV-positive community.

• 6

  Find out how much hands-on experience is offered through the nursing school. Even online schools typically have clinical experience available for local students or clinical rotation requirements. Hands-on experience is very important to prepare nursing students for their future careers.