Decide on the specific nursing degree you want to earn, and determine whether a specific nursing education curriculum will prepare you for it. Choices include:
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. This is a four-year degree that will generally prepare graduates for a full scope of nursing responsibilities as well as provide the basis for an advanced degree;
• Associate Degree in Nursing (ASN) degree. This is a two-year degree that prepares graduates for jobs that require knowledge of nursing theory and technical proficiency. Many RNs who possess an ASN will return to school later to earn their BSN so that advancement and continuing education options will be open to them;
• Diploma in Nursing. This program is usually associated with a hospital and takes about three years to complete. Diploma programs have declined in popularity in recent years, due to a shift of nursing education from hospital settings to academic ones, according to the Nursing World website.
Check on the accreditation status of the institution and the curriculum. Although all nursing schools set their own curriculum, accredited programs have demonstrated that their curriculum has met certain standards, and nursing programs voluntarily request to participate in the process as one way to exhibit their level of excellence.The United States Department of Education has given the authority to accredit all nursing education schools and programs to the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC).
Determine whether the curriculum will provide you with just the basics, or if it will allow you to investigate an area of specialty that you may be interested in. While some nursing students are happy with a program that is extremely clear cut and does not allow for many elective courses, others want more freedom to explore their interests.
Ascertain whether the curriculum will adequately prepare you to take the NCLEX-RN exam. Review the academic catalog that describes the program, log onto the institution's website to look for information about licensing and meet with the nursing program chair to discuss how recent graduates of the program have performed on the licensing exam.