How to Choose a Nursing School That's Right for You

Types of Nursing Programs Based on Your Education Level

Nursing education is flexible and offers various entry points depending on your level of education. Choosing the right nursing program depends on your starting point and your personal goals.

•  For Those Without a Bachelor’s Degree:

  • Diploma in Nursing (LPN): Focuses on imparting basic nursing skills with a limited scope compared to an RN.

  • Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN): Prepares you for entry-level positions in nursing.

  • Traditional BSN: Designed for students entering nursing directly from high school, those early in their career, or those transferring from another degree program or school.

• For Those With a Non-Nursing Bachelor’s Degree:

  • Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN): An intensive program designed to fast-track students into nursing.

  • Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing (DEMSN): An accelerated graduate-level pathway designed for individuals who wish to enter the nursing field at the master's level.

• In-person vs. Hybrid Program Options: 

  • Choose the format that best suits your learning style and personal circumstances. Some programs are completely in-person while others offer some online course with an in-person component for hands-on learning. Programs with an online component are commonly referred to as hybrid programs. 

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Nursing School

As a non-nurse, you may not realize the strict standards set for formal education and ongoing practice within the nursing profession—these factors include rigorous accreditation requirements, high expectations for passing the NCLEX licensure exam, and substantial clinical practice to develop hands-on skills. Approach your nursing school search considering the full scope of what the school has to offer, including NCLEX pass rates, clinical experience, and student support services.

NCLEX Pass Rates

The NCLEX-RN, or National Council Licensure Examination, is a standardized exam that nursing graduates must pass to become licensed as registered nurses in the US. The exam assesses the knowledge and skills necessary to perform safely and effectively as a newly licensed, entry-level nurse. Its purpose is to ensure public protection by only permitting students who demonstrate sufficient competence in nursing to practice.

One of the reasons it is important to understand a nursing school's first-time NCLEX pass rate is that 1 in 5 first-time test takers fail the exam. You are allowed to retake the exam, but must wait 45 days between attempts. 

Selecting a nursing program with a high first-time NCLEX pass rate signals a quality education that effectively prepares you for the exam and your career. A strong pass rate suggests a program's commitment to excellence and educational support, ensuring that students are ready to excel in their nursing careers. This level of preparedness instills confidence as you approach NCLEX and in your professional capabilities.

Clinical Experiences

Practical experiences, such as clinical rotations, are critical for developing the hands-on skills needed in nursing. Clinical training is crucial in nursing as it bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. Better clinical experiences significantly benefit a nursing career by improving skill proficiency, enhancing decision-making abilities, and increasing employability through a more attractive resume. Greater exposure to diverse clinical situations promotes professional growth, confidence, and adaptability in practice making you a stronger nurse as you enter the field.

Clinical experiences can greatly impact the direction of your nursing career and the quality of your nursing school experience. It should be a top priority to confirm the quality, availability, and goals of these experiences in any program you are considering. Clinical experiences are not the same in every nursing school and are significantly influenced by the caliber of the institution hosting them. This should be a top consideration as you’re choosing a nursing school.

During your research, it is important to confirm how these clinical experiences are organized, identify the specific hospitals and departments where clinical rotations occur, and inquire about the qualifications and expertise of the instructors who guide you.

Additional questions to consider include:

• Is the clinical site a leader in the specialties you are interested in?  
• Does the site have a medical school so you can learn alongside doctors in an environment dedicated to learning?
• Does the site have a reputation for high-quality medical care and handling complex cases?

Connect with enrollment representatives from nursing schools you are considering to understand typical clinical experiences offered by the program. 

Nursing Cohorts

A nursing cohort is a group of students who start the program at the same time, take the same classes together, and finish the program together. This format fosters a sense of camaraderie and mutual support, and facilitates a collaborative learning environment through shared experiences and challenges.

Having a cohort of impressive peers opens the door to a fulfilling and uplifting nursing school experience. Your peers create a competitive and encouraging setting that motivates the entire cohort to challenge themselves and seek even higher levels of achievement. Your peers can act as role models and drive active participation and discussion, which enhances the learning environment. Collaboration and diverse perspectives also help prepare you for the complexities of the healthcare field. 

Choosing the Right Nursing Program

Selecting a nursing program is an important decision that requires thoughtful consideration. Visiting schools through virtual sessions or in-person visits, and engaging with current students, instructors, and admissions representatives, are effective ways to gain insights into each program you are considering. Weighing the factors outlined above are just some of the considerations as you explore your nursing school options. 

Other factors to consider:

• Program Length, Curriculum, and Structure

• Facilities, Technology, Resources

• Program Culture and Values
  
  

• Cost and Financial Aid

• Employment Outcomes

Evaluating the most important aspects of a program can help you make an informed choice, ensuring that the nursing program you choose meets your educational needs and positions you for success in your nursing career. Be honest and realistic with yourself about your priorities and expectations, this will help you choose a program and be successful in the long run. 

The BAYADA Scholars Track

If you already have a bachelor’s degree, the TESU Accelerated BSN BAYADA Scholars Track at Cooper University Health Care offers a unique opportunity to learn from world-class healthcare professionals in a cohort of impressive peers. With the BAYADA Scholars Track, you can reach your full potential as a nurse. The world needs nurses prepared to thrive.

The program can be completed in as few as 15 months and boasts a 100% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate*. BAYADA Scholars receive top-tier clinical training at a leading Level I trauma center. Students benefit from individual support through a 1:1 mentorship program with experienced instructors. The ABSN program offered to BAYADA Scholars is the collaboration of three leaders in healthcare —BAYADA Education, Cooper University Health Care, and Thomas Edison State University—combining their expertise and resources to educate more great nurses. 

For more information, visit TESU Accelerated BSN Bayada Scholars Track at Cooper University Health Care.  

*TESU has achieved impressive first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates of 100% in 2012, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023. The school’s first-time NCLEX-RN exam pass rate for its Accelerated BSN program graduates ranks in the top 4 percent of all BSN programs in the country.