Figuring out how to choose a nursing school depends on a few main factors: accreditation, curriculum, and clinical rotations. There are other factors you might also consider when choosing a nursing school, like the availability of online coursework, the number of prerequisites, and the timeline to graduation.
With the large number of institutions offering nursing degrees in the U.S., knowing how to choose a nursing school can be challenging. It can be helpful to start with a list of your options, including schools near you and those farther away. Then, narrow down your choices based on the criteria that are important to you.
University of St. Thomas’ (UST) Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program is a top choice for future nurses in the Houston, Texas, area and those interested in relocating. Our values-based education, exceptional student support and accelerated timeline attract dedicated nursing students committed to academic and clinical excellence.
The program you choose lays the foundation for the rest of your nursing career. When strategizing how to choose a nursing program in Houston, you should consider factors like accreditation, curriculum and clinical partnerships.
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Why Choosing the Right Nursing School Matters
While every nursing program will teach you how to work in clinical practice, not all are necessarily right for you. Your nursing education lays a framework for your career, so choose a program where you can thrive. Depending on your needs, this may mean choosing a faith-based nursing school or one that offers student success resources. Your ultimate goal should be to graduate ready to pass the NCLEX-RN and to tackle any patient care challenge.
How Many Nursing Programs Should I Apply To?
When considering how to choose a nursing school, one common question is: How many nursing programs should I apply to? There’s no set number, but students often apply to three or more nursing programs. Research schools on your shortlist to make sure you fulfill the admission requirements.
6 Factors to Consider When Choosing a Nursing Program
You might have your own criteria to consider regarding how to choose a nursing program. The following, however, can provide a starting point for your decision-making process:
1. Accreditation
Before considering any nursing school, you should check its accreditation status and ensure it has received the approval of the state board of nursing (BON). If the state’s BON doesn’t approve the nursing school you attend, your state may not let you sit for the NCLEX-RN, the exam every nursing graduate must pass to become a registered nurse (RN). Without a passing score on the NCLEX-RN, you can’t receive your nursing license.
Additionally, accreditation plays a significant role if you pursue the additional studies to become a nurse educator, nurse practitioner, nurse midwife or nurse anesthetist. Transferring credits from an unaccredited program may be prohibited at schools that offer graduate-level nursing degrees for future advanced practitioners. Most healthcare employers also prefer hiring practitioners educated under nationally established standards.
UST’s ABSN program meets the highest standards for producing quality nurses. As a fully accredited nursing program approved by the Texas BON, our ABSN program is well-positioned to ensure our graduates are well-prepared for their nursing careers with holistic care for the human person as a priority.
2. Comprehensive Curriculum
UST’s ABSN program curriculum is as comprehensive as a traditional four-year BSN program. While our ABSN program can be completed in as few as 12 months, our graduates are fully prepared to provide excellent patient care. Our curriculum includes key nursing topics such as:
- Adult health
- Care of the critically ill
- Community health
- Maternal and child health
- Pathophysiology
- Pharmacology
Our curriculum also prepares you to sit confidently for the NCLEX-RN exam. We ensure you’re familiar with the topics and format you’ll see on the test, so you know what to expect.
3. Clinical Partnerships
No matter what nursing program you choose, clinical rotations will be vital in helping you find your place in the healthcare industry post-graduation. Finding a program that offers exposure to diverse clinical settings allows you to see where you fit within different specialties and find the one that interests you most.
With UST’s accelerated BSN program, you’ll gain meaningful nursing experience during clinical placements at top healthcare facilities in the greater Houston area and its world-renowned Medical District. Everything you learn will come together when you can put the knowledge you’ve gained in the program into action.
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Nursing clinicals empower you to work with experienced nurses and doctors in Texas under the guidance of clinical instructors. You’ll gain your own experience across a variety of specialties, including the following:
- Adult health
- Community health
- Mental health
- Obstetrics
- Pediatrics
Clinical placements pave the way to your nursing future, so where and with whom you do them matters. A solid clinical experience can shape you into a confident and skilled nurse.
4. Availability of Online Coursework
Not all BSN programs provide online coursework. While it’s impossible to become a nurse 100 percent online, as in-person learning components are essential, UST’s ABSN program includes online coursework.
Our hybrid learning methodology includes clinical rotations at local facilities, on-site skills and simulation labs, and an online coursework component. This allows for motivated students to have an education amid life’s varied situations. The program is demanding, but as you go through the curriculum, you can discuss what you’re learning with classmates via online discussion boards and ask questions of your faculty and clinical instructors.
5. Timeline to Graduation
Once you decide to switch to nursing, you’ll want to start as soon as possible. All ABSN programs offer a faster path toward nursing than traditional BSN programs, often about 16 months. UST’s ABSN is even more accelerated, with just 12 months required for graduation after completing prerequisites.
6. Number of Required Prerequisites
Another factor to consider when choosing a nursing school is the number of prerequisites needed before you can start the program. It’s not uncommon for ABSN programs to require a significant number of pre-program courses, but UST is different. We only require three prerequisites, with a fourth that is recommended but not required.
Ready to Start Your Nursing Journey?
Now that you know how to choose a nursing school, it’s time to act. UST’s accelerated nursing program is accepting applicants right now with no waitlist. With small class sizes, a dedicated admissions advisor, and Academic Success Coaches, our applicants and students have everything needed to succeed. Plus, you can attend the in-person program components at one of our ABSN learning sites in Sugar Land or Shenandoah, or at UST’s midtown Houston campus.
Contact an admissions advisor today to learn more about how UST can help you achieve a nursing career.