If you’ve decided nursing is the career path you want to follow, you still have another big choice to make: where to go to school. Your choice depends, in part, on the type of nursing degree you want (the topic for a follow-up post). Many community colleges, universities, and private not-for-profit and for-profit colleges and universities offer nursing programs. Each comes with pros and cons. Many public-sector community colleges and universities have nursing program waiting lists, meaning students who apply after completing all prerequisites could still find themselves on a waiting list. Theoretically, they might have to wait up to three years before enrolling in a two-year associate degree or a pre-licensure bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program. Private universities, on the other hand, typically don’t have long waiting lists…but the program costs could be higher, since they don’t receive public funds. However, these schools offer viable alternatives and most have financing options to help cover student tuition. A majority of the for-profit schools provide a high quality education – you just need to research your choices and find the one that best meets your needs…and feels “right” for you. If you’d like to learn more about admission requirements and the coursework you can expect as a nursing student, visit www.fortis.edu. Dr. Anders is recognized as a national and international expert on nursing education and minority health.
