If you’re looking to improve your career skills it’s important to compare different nursing schools in NYC. The City of New York is by far one of the best places for nurses to work in. It generally offers better salary fortunes and there are numerous job openings available. However, demand for quality skills is also high and competition for coveted positions is stiff.

There are many varying factors to consider when examining nursing schools in NYC. For instance, you may want to join a school that is renowned for producing the best specialists in particular areas of study like RN, LPNs and so forth. At the same time, you may prefer to study in a specific location of the city for purposes of convenience. It is also worth looking at the size of the nursing school. Ideally, you want to find a school that has a manageable number of students so you can get close attention in training.

Also very important is whether the school offers enough clinical rotation time and whether their NCLEX examination pass rates are commendable or not. These are just but a handful of factors one needs to ponder about when browsing through a list of nursing schools in NYC.

Contents:

• What Are the Requirements for Joining Nursing Schools in NYC?
• Entry Level Requirements for Joining Nursing Schools in NYC
• Choosing Nursing Schools in NYC: Different Career Choices
• Choosing Nursing Schools in NYC: Your Career Desires
• Choosing Nursing Schools in NYC: Location Is Important
• Choosing Nursing Schools in NYC: Availability of Online Classes
• Choosing Nursing Schools in NYC: Is the School Accredited?
• Choosing Nursing Schools in NYC: The Possibility of Financial Aid
• Choosing Nursing Schools in NYC: Be Prepared for Tests
• Choosing Nursing Schools in NYC: Clinical Rotations
• Choosing Nursing Schools in NYC: NCLEX Pass Rate
• Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing a Nursing School in NYC
• Passing a Nursing School in NYC Interview

What Are the Requirements for Joining Nursing Schools in NYC?

Joining one of the many CUNY nursing schools in NYC is easier than you think provided you follow all the necessary guidelines. First, regardless of the school you join, you will study the following major subjects:

• Nutrition
• Microbiology
• Chemistry
• Physiology and anatomy

If these courses sound like something interesting and you want to be part of a promising profession, this might just be the right time to register with top nursing schools NYC of your choice.

But how do you get enrolled in the school in the first place? Well, that depends on what degree level you are talking about. You may want to start with an associate degree or a BSN (bachelor of science in nursing). At the same time, you may be looking to advance your current skills by taking an MSN (masters degree in nursing) or DNP (doctor of nursing practice).

Entry Level Requirements for Joining Nursing Schools in NYC

In order to increase your chances of enrollment, you should first ensure that you meet the safety and technical standards that are associated with this career. A high school diploma or GED with a minimum GPA of 87 is normally recommended by some of the registered nurse schools NYC. The best subject combination encompasses two units of Mathematics, which should include trigonometry or algebra 2. The candidate should also have a stellar performance in Biology and Chemistry with excellent laboratory scores.

Most colleges offer a TEAS (test of essential academic skills) as a way to verify if a student meets the stringent standards of this career field.

Choosing Nursing Schools in NYC: Different Career Choices

As stated above, once you join college you can choose different career paths. Each of these choices has its own opportunities and requirements.

• Associate Degree (ADN)

This is a two-year course and it is mainly seen as an entry level degree that is meant to prepare you to become a nurse. In this training, you will be trained on nursing theory, clinical practice and lab skills. You will also take other general college courses to enhance your skills. With an ADN, you can go forth to become an LPN or RN – and as such applying for an ADN is seen by many as the shortest route to kick-start a nursing career.

On the flip-side, though, professional groups and some employers are constantly pushing for more education because some studies have shown that nurses with more training tend to offer better care to patients. As such, increasingly, hospitals have been requiring nurses to further their training.

• Bachelors Degree (BSN)

A BSN is a four-year degree course that prepares you for a job position of a registered nurse. While you can still work as a nurse with an ADN , nurses with BSN training are typically given more responsibility and slightly better salaries. As such, if you have already acquired an ADN the next best step is to enroll for a BSN if you are planning to advance your career. The good news is that you can still pursue a BSN as you work without even having to take time off.

The degree incorporates both clinical practice and coursework. In addition to general training in communication offered by nursing schools in NYC, you will also learn:

• Biology
• Nutrition
• Physiology
• Anatomy

Among other topics. A typical BSN class list might incorporate additional topics such as emergency care, health assessment, research for evidence-based practice, trends in nursing, population-based care, public and global health among others.

• Masters in Nursing (MSN)

A masters degree in nursing will help equip you with skills and advanced training you need for a highly-specialized role of nursing. Earning your MSN from one of the accredited nursing schools NYC qualifies you to deliver many of the same health care services that physicians are entitled to – a popular practice nowadays. Physicians may have tight working schedules and some people find their services a bit too expensive and an MSN graduate is seen as a great alternative. Typically, nursing schools in NYC allow you to focus on four advanced practice areas:

• Certified nurse midwife (CNM)
• Clinical nurse specialist (CNS)
• Certified nurse anesthetist (CRNA)
• Nurse practitioner (NP)

In most accelerated nursing schools NYC, an MSN can take about 2 years (or even less) to complete. Some general courses listed under this course include advanced pharmacology, advanced biochemistry, and health care policy.

• DNP (doctor of nursing practice)

DNP prepares you for leadership roles in the expansive field of nursing. By undertaking and completing this training, you get an opportunity to lead practice groups and shape policies. You also get to be prepared for the most advanced levels of career practice, leadership, and clinical scholarship. In order to complete this course in any one of the many nursing schools in NYC, you will require training for anywhere from 3 to 5 years.

While a DNP is not required for all advanced nursing care jobs, it can help you advance to leadership roles and command more authority in the prestigious field. Generally, there are four types of nursing doctorate degrees offered by nursing schools in NYC.

• DNP – This course emphasizes on practice-oriented leadership training.
• Doctor of Nursing (ND) – This training focuses on developing advanced specialists skills.
• DNSc – Mainly focusing on investigative and research skills.
• Ph.D. – This focuses mainly on scholarly research and inquiry.

Now that you understand what the career path of a nurse looks like, let us shift focus to choosing the best nursing schools in NYC. With so many institutions of learning setting up shop in this great city, knowing how to settle for one that offers you the best value is crucial. We have rounded up a list of 8 things you should look for in some of the best nursing colleges in NYC.

Choosing Nursing Schools in NYC: Your Career Desires

Whether you are looking to take the shorter route by getting a two-year ADN or a longer route that goes through MSN all the way to DNP, it is important to choose a school that offers the right training for you. Look for a school that matches your career desires as this may eventually affect how you perform in various exams. Most importantly, look for a school that has a proven track record of producing some of the best nurses serving in the country. You can do this by checking the history of the school or by catching up with the alumnus.

Choosing Nursing Schools in NYC: Location Is Important

The city is getting busier by the day and traffic jam is fast becoming a routine that New Yorkers have to put up with. Because of that, when checking various nursing schools in NYC, it is important to find one that is accessible without too much travel or hassle. It is important to factor in your class schedule as well. In that regard, it is better to opt for a schedule that is convenient so you can easily learn even as your meet your other duties and responsibilities.

Choosing Nursing Schools in NYC: Availability of Online Classes

We live in a time where digital technology is changing the way human’s do things. Nowadays, you don’t necessarily have to attend all classes physically in order to learn. Some of the best nursing schools in NYC offer training online. This is often a good compromise of the school is so good yet inaccessible due to travel related issues. With this kind of convenience, you can even complete some of your class work or course work at the convenience of your home or office.

Choosing Nursing Schools in NYC: Is the School Accredited?

Make sure you opt for accredited nursing schools in NYC. There are two major bodies that accredit such schools and these are The National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission (Acronym: NLNAC) and the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Some top nursing schools NYC may opt to be accredited by one of the two or both. Generally, NLNAC and CCNE review the school’s curriculum, policies, boards of instructors and trustees and financial standing. It could be very difficult for you to advance your career if you graduate from a school that is not accredited by any of the above-mentioned bodies.

Choosing Nursing Schools in NYC: The Possibility of Financial Aid

Sometimes we all need a helping hand in order to move a step further in our career lives. This is why you may want to consider finding a school that offers career aid options to its students. If you are facing financial constraints and you really want to pursue a career in nursing, it is imperative to work with an institution that cares about your financial well-being. You should also consider finding out if options like tuition reimbursement are available if you fail to complete your course of study.

Choosing Nursing Schools in NYC: Be Prepared for Tests

Tests prior to admission are a common feature in some nursing schools in NYC. Most commonly, there is a pre-admission test given by the NLN (National League of Nursing) that some schools may require, and there are other series of tests that one may be expected to pass prior to admission. It is, therefore, important to be psychologically prepared for this to avoid failure due to panic.

Choosing Nursing Schools in NYC: Clinical Rotations

This is probably the most valuable aspect of nursing training. The best nursing schools NYC know that students learn better under this arrangement and so they invest a lot in making it possible. So, look for a school that is keen on clinical rotations. Basically, the experience you gain through such engagements is what you need so as to fully practice in the professional world. So, don’t compromise on this very important requirement.

Choosing Nursing Schools in NYC: NCLEX Pass Rate

The NCLEX exam is a very important undertaking that every nurse has to go through in order to be allowed to practice. Because this exam is so crucial to your career, it is advisable to enroll in one of the nursing schools in NYC that post the best pass rates. You can check through past years pass rates preferably over a period of 10 years just to get an idea of how a particular school performs.

Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing a Nursing School in NYC

While evaluating the best CUNY nursing schools in NYC, you are likely to make some mistakes. Some of these (mistakes) might be costly and regrettable at a later date which is why it is important to avoid them at all costs. For instance, failing to visit enough learning institutions can potentially limit your options and you might end up not getting the best value for your time. It is, therefore, advisable to go beyond internet advertisement by visiting the campuses in person in order to get a clear picture of the school.

Another mistake that people make in choosing private nursing schools in NYC is choosing a school based solely on rankings. It is true that school rankings matter, but they don’t always reflect a school’s true worth. Some schools may have great overall rankings, but they may end up being very weak in your preferred area of specialization. It is, therefore, important to seek out the best possible program even if this comes from a less well-known nursing school.

Last but not least is that most first-timers tend to ignore the real nursing school costs. Obviously, different nursing schools in NYC charge different rates for tuition, books, supplies, room and board among other charges. The level of financial aid a school extends to its students may also not be clear enough. Some nursing schools might provide total financial assistance but some may not. Others prefer to offer loans, which students have to repay later. It is, therefore, important to read the contract agreement for each institution of learning just to ensure that you fully understand where you can get the most cost-effective education for your own needs.

Passing a Nursing School in NYC Interview

Most reputable nursing schools in NYC will require you to undergo an interview prior to full enrollment. This pre-admission interview might seem, to many, like a nerve-wracking experience. However, any applicant can shine during this stage with proper preparation on the days preceding the actual interview.

The first thing to do prior to showing up for an interview is to carry out some background research about different nursing schools in NYC. This will generally give you a rough idea of what the schools essentially look for in their students. Once you are armed with enough information, the next thing you will need to do is a bit of retrospection about where you stand as compared to other potential applicants. For instance, you can go to the school’s website to generally evaluate the average scores, statistics, etc.

On the day of the interview, it is quite important that you maintain a well-groomed, clean-cut appearance. It is advisable to invest in some formal clothes that are well ironed. Keep time, by ensuring to arrive at the venue at least thirty minutes before the recommended time. This will give you enough time to calm your nerves as you rehearse for the interview.

When the interview kicks off, let the interviewers know your strengths and attributes. It is crucial to watch your verbal cues, maintain a pleasant smile, an energetic tone and most importantly, direct eye contact. If you are someone with an average GPA score, it is time to make up for that by selling yourself to the interviewing panel. If the interviewers identify one of your weakness, don’t panic or pass blame, accept the situation and tell them that you are ready to learn and improve.

Interviewers appreciate people who are honest and forthright with their responses, and they often accept that there are areas one can improve in. After the interview is over, you can go ahead and send a written “Thank you” note to express your gratitude for the interview.

Remember, most interview questions are aimed at knowing you better. So as you look for the best nursing schools in NYC, be sure to put your best foot forward at all times.

SOURCES:

www.nursing.umaryland.edu

www.acenursing.org