As a result, nursing school, particularly an accelerated nursing course, might feel a lot like a full-time job. Before making a decision, you must be honest with yourself about how much you can handle. If you need to keep working full-time, an accelerated nursing program is probably not for you. On the other hand, if you already have a non-nursing degree and wish to start a nursing job as quickly as possible, the ABSN track is your best bet. It may just necessitate a sacrifice of your time.
Is it adequately accredited?
Accreditation essentially means that a school provides a level of education that meets particular academic criteria established by an accrediting agency recognized as legitimate by the United States Secretary of Education.
Unfortunately, not every nursing school or track is accredited, which can mean a lot of time and money lost if you’re not diligent. For example, while your state board of nursing may allow you to sit for the NCLEX despite attending an unaccredited school, it may also refuse you the right to sit for the exam, robbing you of the opportunity to become a practicing nurse.
Even if your state board of nursing authorizes you to take the NCLEX, a prospective employer may prefer a candidate who graduated from an accredited nursing school. You will also be unable to transfer your credits to another school if you pursue a master’s degree or other advanced practice certification. Another disadvantage of non-accredited schools is that you may be ineligible for federal student loans.
What are the NCLEX pass rates for past graduates?
It doesn’t matter how well you did in nursing school if you don’t pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). This is because the NCLEX is not the type of test most of us remember from school.
Most tests you may have completed in your previous undergraduate degree probably had one correct answer, and the rest were erroneous. Any number of solutions on the NCLEX could be right; your goal is to select the correct response. In addition, unlike most exams, the NCLEX-RN employs a computerized algorithm to tailor the questions you receive depending on your previous performance. As a result, you can pass or fail the test with as little as 75 questions or as many as 265.
Does the school have a history of academic excellence?
True, colleges evolve to meet the requirements of society, and as a result, new programs and degree tracks are established, such as the UIW ABSN track, which was introduced in 2020. However, it is also critical to understand that the university has a track record of success. Not only does it demonstrate that the university is committed to the long term, but prospective employers also want to see that a job seeker attended a reputable university.