In the 2007 "U.S. News & World Report" survey of top nursing schools, the University of Washington was again given the #1 overall ranking for the 14th consecutive year. Students wanting a specialty degree in Clinical Nurse Specialist: Psychiatric/Mental Health, Nursing Practitioner: Family or Clinical Nurse Specialist: Community/Public Health are assured the top-rated specialty programs at this university. However, Washington's specializations in Pediatrics and Gerontological/Geriatrics rated only fourth and tenth, respectively. Prospective students might consider the University of Pennsylvania and Yale, which share the top spot for Pediatrics. The Universities of Pennsylvania and Iowa ranked one and two in Gerontological/Geriatrics.
To many nursing student candidates, a really great school will be determined by its online curriculum. Reviewing the list of top online universities compiled by "Online Education Data Base," you will find seventh-ranked Grand Canyon University as the highest ranked online school offering a nursing degree. The University of Pennsylvania, which appears as seventh overall on the "U. S. News & World Report" list of top-ranked nursing schools, also offers online degree programs.
Besides the traditional federal and state aid available to all qualifying college-bound students, there are other privately funded and state-sponsored programs designed to attract prospective nurses to a particular state or company. For example, Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc. sponsors the website "Discover Nursing.com," which offers a free nationwide scholarship search engine. Students should also complete the federal Free Application for Student Aid available at FASA.gov. A student aid report will be prepared from the information provided on the application describing the federal assistance programs for which the student may qualify.
What constitutes a great nursing school is not only its scholastic reputation but also how it serves the unique requirements of a particular student. The proper mix of specialty certifications, advanced degrees and a congenial campus atmosphere (or, perhaps, an online program) will determine the real value of the educational experience. Great institutions of higher learning are continually adapting their teaching methods to meet the evolving needs of their students.