Where to Find the Nursing Program Best for You
Choose From Community Colleges, Universities, and Online Programs
Nursing careers have wide appeal. Career changers discover new challenges and consistent income and benefits; college age students have access to versatile careers with solid salaries, decent hours, and upward mobility; and professional nurses may navigate career options laterally or vertically, including advanced degree choices that may lead to administrative and educator roles.
Where to pursue a nursing degree opens up another basket of options. There are traditional baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs delivered in on-campus settings, but community colleges pose a cost challenge many students simply cannot overlook. And then dozens of nursing degree variations may be tailored to a predominantly online curriculum. Working adults and those with family and other responsibilities are particularly drawn to the distance learning degrees.
Concept of Accreditation
Accreditation is a critical concept to understand when choosing a nursing program. Accredited degree programs have been evaluated for overall quality in the scope of the larger nursing industry. The Department of Education recognizes two accrediting agencies for nursing programs. Accreditors evaluate programs on the basis of a checklist of criteria that includes, but is not limited to, program curriculum, student and faculty support services, and the ability to make improvements as necessary.
The Learning Environments
Nursing programs each provide a unique learning environment:
- Community college nursing programs welcome a wide spectrum of learner, from post-high school to career changer as well as older adult learner. Class sizes are smaller than universities, tuition is very affordable, and two-year degrees emphasize technical skills that fast-track nursing students into good jobs.
- Online nursing programs afford convenience of at-your-own-pace coursework. Working adults with careers and families now have a reason to go back to college. Clinical requirements may be completed in regional hospitals and other medical facilities that partner with online degree providers.
- Baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs may be found on hundreds of traditional campuses across the U.S. Students may choose from standalone nursing colleges or large university settings where access to world-class facilities and medical personnel is an educational priority.
When choosing a program that’s right for you make sure to check your state board of nursing for their approved list of nursing programs. Also do not overlook accreditation, especially when shopping for online nursing degrees.
