4 answers
Solangie
Student
Weston, Florida
1
Question
Asked
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How will I know which nursing program is right for me?
And how will I know what kind of nurse I want to be ?
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4 answers
Cheri Hall
Physical Therapist
103
Answers
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Updated
Cheri’s Answer
Hi Solange,
Choosing the right nursing program depends on factors like school size, cost, and location. Do you prefer a large state school or a small college? Most nursing programs are accredited, ensuring they meet quality standards and prepare students for the licensure exam. Accreditation by agencies like CCNE or ACEN means the program offers a solid education for nursing careers.
Don't worry about choosing your nursing specialty right away. During your studies, you'll do clinical rotations in various settings, helping you discover what you enjoy. You might also consider becoming a certified nursing assistant (CNA) to gain hands-on experience with patients and staff in different environments.
Choosing the right nursing program depends on factors like school size, cost, and location. Do you prefer a large state school or a small college? Most nursing programs are accredited, ensuring they meet quality standards and prepare students for the licensure exam. Accreditation by agencies like CCNE or ACEN means the program offers a solid education for nursing careers.
Don't worry about choosing your nursing specialty right away. During your studies, you'll do clinical rotations in various settings, helping you discover what you enjoy. You might also consider becoming a certified nursing assistant (CNA) to gain hands-on experience with patients and staff in different environments.
Susana Appiah
MIDWIFE
98
Answers
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Updated
Susana’s Answer
Hi Solangie, thanks for the question.
Finding the right nursing program and determining the type of nurse you want to be are important decisions. These are some steps you can take to guide you through the process:
1. Identify Your Interests and Strengths
Explore Specializations: Reflect on what excites you about healthcare. For example, if you love working with children, pediatric nursing might be a good fit. If you are drawn to research and patient care, you might consider becoming a nurse practitioner or working in family medicine.
Consider Your Strengths: Are you compassionate, detail-oriented, or a good communicator? Think about how your personality traits align with different nursing roles (e.g., ICU nurse, midwife, geriatric nurse, etc.).
2. Research Nursing Programs
Accreditation: Look for accredited programs that meet high standards of education, such as those approved by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).
Program Length and Flexibility: Consider the length of the program and whether it fits your schedule. Some programs offer flexibility for working students or part-time study.
Clinical Opportunities: Make sure the program offers strong clinical experience that will expose you to various healthcare settings and specialties.
Location and Cost: Think about whether you want to study in-state or out-of-state, as well as your budget. Some programs offer scholarships or financial aid.
3. Know What Kind of Nurse You Want to Be
Start with General Nursing: If you're not sure which specialization suits you, start with a general nursing program like an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Nursing. This allows you to explore different areas of nursing during clinical rotations.
Job Shadowing: Spending time with different types of nurses (e.g., pediatric nurses, surgical nurses, emergency room nurses) can give you a firsthand look at what the role entails.
Talk to Nurses: Reach out to practicing nurses in various specialties. Ask about their job satisfaction, daily responsibilities, and challenges they face.
Consider Work Environment: Do you prefer working in a hospital, clinic, or long-term care facility? Each environment has its own set of challenges and rewards.
4. Talk to a Career Counselor or Advisor
Consult Mentors: Reach out to nursing mentors, advisors, or professors who can help you navigate your options. They can provide guidance based on your academic goals and personal interests.
5. Assess Long-Term Goals
Further Education: Consider how your chosen program can help you advance your career goals. For instance, if you want to become a nurse practitioner, research programs that offer direct entry into advanced practice roles.
By reflecting on your personal interests, strengths, and long-term career goals, you can start to identify the nursing program and specialty that best fits you.
Finding the right nursing program and determining the type of nurse you want to be are important decisions. These are some steps you can take to guide you through the process:
1. Identify Your Interests and Strengths
Explore Specializations: Reflect on what excites you about healthcare. For example, if you love working with children, pediatric nursing might be a good fit. If you are drawn to research and patient care, you might consider becoming a nurse practitioner or working in family medicine.
Consider Your Strengths: Are you compassionate, detail-oriented, or a good communicator? Think about how your personality traits align with different nursing roles (e.g., ICU nurse, midwife, geriatric nurse, etc.).
2. Research Nursing Programs
Accreditation: Look for accredited programs that meet high standards of education, such as those approved by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).
Program Length and Flexibility: Consider the length of the program and whether it fits your schedule. Some programs offer flexibility for working students or part-time study.
Clinical Opportunities: Make sure the program offers strong clinical experience that will expose you to various healthcare settings and specialties.
Location and Cost: Think about whether you want to study in-state or out-of-state, as well as your budget. Some programs offer scholarships or financial aid.
3. Know What Kind of Nurse You Want to Be
Start with General Nursing: If you're not sure which specialization suits you, start with a general nursing program like an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Nursing. This allows you to explore different areas of nursing during clinical rotations.
Job Shadowing: Spending time with different types of nurses (e.g., pediatric nurses, surgical nurses, emergency room nurses) can give you a firsthand look at what the role entails.
Talk to Nurses: Reach out to practicing nurses in various specialties. Ask about their job satisfaction, daily responsibilities, and challenges they face.
Consider Work Environment: Do you prefer working in a hospital, clinic, or long-term care facility? Each environment has its own set of challenges and rewards.
4. Talk to a Career Counselor or Advisor
Consult Mentors: Reach out to nursing mentors, advisors, or professors who can help you navigate your options. They can provide guidance based on your academic goals and personal interests.
5. Assess Long-Term Goals
Further Education: Consider how your chosen program can help you advance your career goals. For instance, if you want to become a nurse practitioner, research programs that offer direct entry into advanced practice roles.
By reflecting on your personal interests, strengths, and long-term career goals, you can start to identify the nursing program and specialty that best fits you.
Christine R.
Registered Nurse
47
Answers
Washington, Washington
Updated
Christine’s Answer
There are a variety of factors, financial aid and if they offer that, NCLEX passing rates is important. Make sure your school is accredited first and foremost as well. Then decide other pieces like class sizes, what are the courses that are required as part of your nursing program. Where I went to nursing school it was a bit unique in that they offered an associates degree than many people continued on to finish their BSN pretty seamlessly. So it really did provide me with a lot of different experiences especially once I entered into the BSN portion of my program. The location also allowed me to have some unique experience like go to a legislative session among other things.
Deciding on your speciality in nursing can be tough there are a lot of options and remember you can still change your mind even after you pass your NCLEX and start working. I started school wanting to be a psych nurse but then realized it's not really my thing. Then I really wanted to be an ICU nurse (although just life ended up taking me in a different direction), so you will get lots of exposure to different experiences so you can see if there is something that really speaks to you that is the beauty of nursing and the experiences you'll get to be a part of. Best of luck as you make those choices on next steps.
Deciding on your speciality in nursing can be tough there are a lot of options and remember you can still change your mind even after you pass your NCLEX and start working. I started school wanting to be a psych nurse but then realized it's not really my thing. Then I really wanted to be an ICU nurse (although just life ended up taking me in a different direction), so you will get lots of exposure to different experiences so you can see if there is something that really speaks to you that is the beauty of nursing and the experiences you'll get to be a part of. Best of luck as you make those choices on next steps.
Charlotte Geiger
Public Health Science Student at the University of Maryland
150
Answers
Sykesville, Maryland
Updated
Charlotte’s Answer
Hey Solangie,
You’ll know which nursing program is right for you by looking at a few key things: how strong their clinical training is, their NCLEX pass rates (the licensing exam for nurses), what specialties they offer, how much support they give students, and whether you like the environment (campus, teachers, schedule). Visit campuses, talk to current students, and see how you feel — you’ll often just "click" with the right one.
As for what kind of nurse you want to be, that usually becomes clear once you start clinical rotations. You’ll get to work in different areas like ER, pediatrics, ICU, surgery, or mental health. Pay attention to which areas make you feel excited and where you enjoy helping the most. It’s normal not to know right away — real experience will guide you.
You’ll know which nursing program is right for you by looking at a few key things: how strong their clinical training is, their NCLEX pass rates (the licensing exam for nurses), what specialties they offer, how much support they give students, and whether you like the environment (campus, teachers, schedule). Visit campuses, talk to current students, and see how you feel — you’ll often just "click" with the right one.
As for what kind of nurse you want to be, that usually becomes clear once you start clinical rotations. You’ll get to work in different areas like ER, pediatrics, ICU, surgery, or mental health. Pay attention to which areas make you feel excited and where you enjoy helping the most. It’s normal not to know right away — real experience will guide you.