Choosing a Nursing Program Barrington IL

Choosing a Nursing Program

by Linda K. Amos, Ed.D., RN, FAAN, Former A ssociate Vice President for Health Sciences, Professor of  Nursing,  University  of  Utah

With more than 700 baccalaureate programs in the United States, the prospective student must do research to determine which programs match his or her needs and career objectives.

If you have no health-care experience, it might be best to gain some insight into the field by volunteering or working part-time in a care facility such as a hospital or an outpatient clinic. Talking to nurse professionals about their work will also help you determine how your attributes may apply to the nursing field.

When considering a nursing education, consider your personal needs. Is it best for you to work in a heavily structured environment or one that offers more flexibility in terms of, say, integrating a part-time work schedule into studies? Do you need to stay close to home? Do you prefer to work in a large health-care system such as a health maintenance organization or a medical center, or do you prefer smaller, community-based operations?

As for nursing programs, ask the following questions: 

• How involved is the faculty in developing students for today's healthcare industry?
• How strong is the school's affiliation with clinics and hospitals?
• Is there assurance that a student will gain an up-to-date educational experience for the current job market?
• Are a variety of care settings available?

Author: Amy Ambler

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