Great Colleges for Nursing
Five Schools That Offer Outstanding Programs to Become a Nurse
Sep 15, 2009
One of the most popular and competitive majors is nursing. Nursing is career currently in demand; however, programs often have waiting lists and can not accommodate the number of students interested. The colleges listed in this article are noted for their programs in nursing.
University of Washington School of Nursing
The University of Washington School of Nursing is usually ranked the number one nursing program in the United States. The college has earned this distinction by the outstanding and professional faculty, thorough curriculum, and pertinent clinical and practicum experience.
The college marries rigorous coursework and hands on experience. The program is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), which means that the university has met or exceeded the standards in nursing education presented by the commission.
The University of Washington School of Nursing is a two year program; however, students must complete two years of general studies before they can even apply to the nursing school. Admission requirements include a minimum college grade point average of 2.0, 90 credits of prerequisite courses, at least 100 hours of volunteer service in a health care setting, and possessing “Essential Behaviors” set forth by the college.
The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor School of Nursing
The nursing program at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor is also outstanding. The school hosts professors at the top of their profession, including many who concurrently research and lecture. The curriculum is established to integrate humanities and science. The nursing college offers over 600 clinical sites associated with the program, which permits students to experience nursing with a variety of people and a variety of situations.
Admission to the program is contingent upon general admission to the college. High school students are expected to complete the typical college preparatory courses, including extra math and science. The school will take either the SAT or ACT for admissions.
The University of Illinois at Chicago College of Nursing
For students who are looking for a challenging yet rewarding nursing experience, the University of Illinois at Chicago is the right match. Set in urban Chicago the nursing school offers students multiple directions in the nursing field. Besides the education and clinical experience, students have access to the college sponsored medical centers, funded projects for professors and students, monthly nursing seminars, student research, faculty publications, and access to the Quantitative Biomedical Sciences program for research.
Students interested in this program must first be accepted the college itself. Student must take five natural science prerequisite courses at college and receive a minimum 2.5 grade point average in those courses and 2.75 in all other courses. Two years of undergraduate classes must be taken prior to admission to the nursing program. High school students who have achieved a 15% or higher class rank and have scored at least a 28 on the ACT or a 1240 on the SAT may be admitted under guarantee admission.
The University of Iowa College of Nursing
Iowa is may not always be a contender for college bound students; however, for students looking into nursing, the University of Iowa is a find. The one element that sets Iowa apart from most other nursing colleges is their commitment to diversity. The college actively recruits diverse faculty and admits diverse students. Additionally, the program emphasizes cultural perspectives and education to meet the demands of a changing population.
Admission into the nursing program is competitive. Prospective students must take a specific high school and college curriculum prior to application to the College of Nursing. A minimum off a “C” average must be attained in the college courses. Only 80 students are admitted each fall.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Nursing
Madison is known for its dedication to research. In 2006 the school received over $900 million in research expenditures. This dedication continues into the nursing program as well. Current research includes pain management, women’s health, and long-tem care. Research is collaborative with other disciplines such as psychology, nutritional sciences, and engineering.
Freshman wishing to study nursing can take a pre-nursing program until perquisites are attained. Application to the actual major includes a minimum grade point average of 2.75 in general college courses and a 2.75 in specific college science courses. Additionally, students must submit a personal statement.
Nurses are in high demand as a career. Nurses must be both competent and compassionate. Nursing programs will search for candidates who possess these traits, so the competition is often tough. Students interested in nursing programs must take advantage of high school courses emphasizing math and science. Additionally, students need to research colleges with nursing programs and understand the admission criteria fully.
 |
