A number of nursing schools in New York perennially rank among the finest medical training facilities in the nation. For students who wish to study in the city, both Columbia and NYU boast schools of nursing that are virtually unmatched in terms of the quality of education they provide. Those seeking nursing programs in New York State will find equally appealing programs offered at such institutions as the University of Rochester and the University at Buffalo – SUNY. Add in a variety of nationally-recognized vocational colleges and other smaller, but just as reputable public and private schools, and the Empire State ranks second to none in schooling options for aspiring nurses.
Which Nursing Schools in New York are Right for You?
At first, trying to decide which schools will best meet your nursing career goals may seem like a difficult task. If you approach your search with the right strategy, however, the process becomes considerably easier and may even be enjoyable.
The first step in identifying the best nursing schools in New York for you is to apply a filtering process to your list of candidates. Specifically, you should seek to narrow your search down to those schools that offer the exact degrees or certifications you want, as well as those programs that are properly accredited by the New York Board of Nursing.
Additional factors that are also important to consider include:
- The program’s reputation in the local health care community
- The success rate of program graduates at gaining licensure on the NCLEX exam
The significance of the fir
st point is obvious. A degree or certification earned from a reputable school that is well-thought-of by local hospitals, clinics and physicians will make its holder a stronger candidate for employment. This type of feedback can usually be gathered through emails, phone calls or in-person visits to local health care facilities.
The importance of the second point is that pass rates on the NCLEX nursing exam by program graduates will provide you with an accurate picture of how well the various nursing colleges in New York prepare their students for licensure. Regardless of which of the state’s three types of nursing licenses you are pursuing, a passing score on the NCLEX licensing examination is required.
Personal Considerations Regarding New York Nursing Schools
In addition to accreditation, reputation in the community and NCLEX scores of their graduates, you should also consider a few more personal things about the nursing schools in New York on your short list. After all, there is more that goes into whether or not a school is right for you than just accreditation and test scores.
Some basic questions you should ask about each program in question are:
- Are classes available at times that I can attend and, if not, are online classes offered?
- Does the school offer financial aid to help cover tuition and other costs?
- Do I satisfy the school’s admission requirements?
If the answer to these questions is “yes” (assuming, of course, that each of them are applicable to your particular case), and the school has also passed the previously mentioned filtering process, then chances are the college is one worthy of your serious consideration.
Finding a Directory of Accredited Nursing Schools in New York
If you’d like to start your search for a school by perusing a comprehensive directory of all currently accredited programs, then feel free to use our lists. Our directories of nursing programs in NYC and nursing schools in New York State are organized by city, and include only those institutions recognized in 2012 by the New York Board of Nursing for meeting the highest standards in professional nursing education.