The University of Iowa School of Nursing (nursing.uiowa.edu) first began providing nursing education in 1898 in Iowa City, Iowa. Areas of special emphasis offered to nursing students for study include adult care and gerontology and parent, child and family medicine. The college supports research and experimentation through specialty centers for such disciplines as genetics, informatics and geriatric care. Undergraduate students pursue either the bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree for their advanced practical nursing qualification or the bachelor of science in nursing--registered nurse degree for the registered nursing license. Master's and doctoral study is available in specialties such as clinical nursing.
Undergraduates accepted into the nursing program study at Columbia University School of Nursing in New York City, New York, can elect the combined bachelor of science/master of science entry to practice (BS/MS-ETP) study program. This four-year program is designed as accelerated study to prepare non-nursing graduate students for careers in the advanced practical nursing field through both required prelicensure curriculum and individually designed post-licensure specialty curricula. In 2011 this nursing program requires both classroom coursework and clinical internship credits, and entering students must possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited university to be considered for admission.
Los Angeles, California, hosts the University of California at Los Angeles School of Nursing, where the four-year bachelor of science prelicensure program is the first step for nursing students wishing to be admitted to the master of science in nursing--advanced practice nursing degree program. Graduates of the prelicensure program of study test out with the National Council Licensing Examination (NCLEX) for state nursing board exams. Graduate nursing programs are designed for the individual student to gain qualification in specialty areas such as clinical nursing, physician's assistant and administrative nursing specialist.
Dallas, Texas, is home to Baylor University, where the Louise Herrington School of Nursing is open to the application of students who want to prepare for a job in the nursing field. Students accepted into the BSN degree program will leave prepared for practical nursing license testing and entry-level practice. To be considered for the two-year program, students must have successfully completed 32 semester hours of approved prerequisite academics at Baylor University or another accredited college or university.