<p>My D, a HS soph is starting to think of colleges and is very interested in nursing. We live in PA. Any suggestions of good schools to start looking at?</p>
<p>I live in pennsylvania and went to east stroudsburg university. I think they produce a good quality and prepared nurse. there are also 2 community colleges in our area, northampton and lehigh that produce good nurses, and they have weekend and evening programs. I believe it is very important to get your BSN though because in order to advance you need at least that. good luck! It is a hard and intense education, and much is expected of you.</p>
<p>How long have you been out of the program now? Can you offer any suggestions on specific things we should be looking for in a program?</p>
<p>Go to Kent State, they have a good nursing program. Nurses get hired out of any school right away, so go to the place that your daughter likes the best or is cheapest for you.</p>
<p>Is there a way to find out what percentage of students who graduate from a particular school pass the nursing boards on the first try? Is that info the schools freely share?</p>
<p>you should always ask what percentage pass the boards on first try. If it still holds true, east stroudsburg had very good standing on that. That should be something the nursing school plugs is their pass ratio, and it should be 100% or close to it. You also need to ask if they are NLN accredited, because hospitals won't hire you unless you graduate from an accredited school, and some aren't, or are on probation or the like. I have been a nurse for 14 years now, neurology and now case management. I am starting for my masters because I want to teach. You need to look at the hospitals they will be practicing in, if you go to a school close to an inner city your child could be in a combat zone. you also need to know how they will get to clinicals, which typically start at 6:30 am, will your daughter need a car, (it was mandatory in our program) or do they have a van and shuttle the students. if your daughter is interested in extracurricular acivities or sports, it is very difficult with nursing because you are in clinicals all day long, and can't miss them, (we had a tennis player in our program and it didn't go well for her). anyway, I hope that helps. if you have any other questions just ask, I really don'tknow what else to tell you. It is an intense education where you must work hard, be compassionate and think quick on your feet. it isn't a major where you can party, stay out all night and not study, because you will be dealing with people's lives. I say this because I have a big problem with the quality of nurses lately, and even though there is a shortage I truly wish only people who really want to help, have critical thinking abilities and compassion would apply to nursing school. it's a great career.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for the info. My D, while still young, is not a partier so that shouldn't be an issue. She is passionate about nursing due to past health issues. She is a good student, but not an outstanding one....consistently on honor roll, but works very hard. At least I have a better idea of what to be looking for in a program. Thank you again :)</p>
<p>I got my degree many (many, many....) years ago from Pitt. At that time, they had one of the top nursing programs in the country. Haven't kept up with it, so I'm not sure where they stand now. The university is huge, but the nursing program is pretty self-contained, so you don't get lost. The hospitals in the Pgh area are fabulous, and we rotated among them. Many are within walking distance; the rest are an easy bus ride. I drove to only one - my psyche rotation, senior year.</p>
<p>(and I passed my boards on the first try. :) )</p>
<p>Editing this to add this link. (It says the graduate school of nursing was ranked 10th by USNAWR):</p>
<p><a href="http://www.nursing.pitt.edu/%5B/url%5D">http://www.nursing.pitt.edu/</a></p>