Case Western Reserve University's Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing is rated the number one school of nursing in Ohio and number four among private nursing schools nationwide, as of January 2011. This nursing school also offers master's degrees, doctorate degrees, and continuing education classes on a central campus.
The school strives to create opportunities for its students through programs such as: Discover Nursing, which supports students from disadvantaged backgrounds; The Senior Capstone Project, which immerses students for 10 weeks in local, national, or international communities so that they may use their burgeoning skills; Community Engagement through Service Learning, in which students are matched with a community agency, where they help address a specific problem identified by the agency; The International Health Program, which provides the opportunity to study abroad; and a partnership with the Sunbeam School, where students provide care to students who have health problems.
Central School of Practical Nursing is the oldest private school of its kind in Ohio and offers a course that results in a license in practical nursing (LPN). The LPN degree enables graduates to provide such patient services as taking vital signs; treating wounds and applying dressings; administering injections, oral medications, and IVs; and inserting catheters. Upon completion of the program, graduates are qualified to work for general practitioners, dentists, optometrists or podiatrists, as well as in a hospital setting. The program, which features a four-day school week and clinical sites throughout northeastern Ohio, can be completed in one year.
The School of Nursing at Cleveland State University offers bachelor's and master's degree tracts. A special program is available to registered nurses (RNs) who want to pursue a bachelor's degree (BSN). The bachelor's degree program emphasizes the study of community-based, family care, especially preventative care. BSNs also are prepared to enter graduate school. The master's degree program prepares graduates for specialized practice in such areas as forensic nursing, nursing education, and specialized populations. In addition, a combined nursing and business master's degree (MSN/MBA) is offered.
Cuyahoga Community College offers the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Registered Nursing (ADN) and the Certificate of Practical Nursing (PN) on several campuses located in the Cleveland area. The ADN program lasts two years and enables the graduate to provide and manage health care in a variety of settings. The PN program lasts one year and results in a certificate enabling the graduate to work in a health care setting in an assistant capacity. Both programs offer laboratory work and clinical experience.