Guide to Colleges and Universities with Nursing Programs

Nursing is a career that promises to be in demand for years to come. A nursing degree from one of the countless colleges and universities with nursing programs will result in a guarantee of a rewarding job.

Begin your quest to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN/LVN) or a Registered Nurse (RN) by:

1. Seeking universities with nursing programs.
2. Looking for programs with online nursing degrees.
3. Financing your education with scholarships.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find colleges with nursing programs near your home

Finding nearby colleges and universities for nursing degrees will enable you to stay close to home while gaining additional skills. Whether you seek to become a CNA, an RN with an associate or bachelor's degree, or an LPN, many programs are available.

I recommend: Use the search engine at Nursing Schools to find universities with undergraduate nursing degrees in your state. The search engine also contains links to take you to the websites of nursing schools and their programs. Search by program at All Nursing Schools to find the preferred course of study for a nursing degree within the state.

Look for online nursing degrees

The traditional system of classes may not work for a person who is supporting a family. Instead, an online program may be more conducive to higher education in terms of adaptability to a student's lifestyle. Be sure the program is accredited.

I recommend: Many universities with undergraduate nursing degrees offer classes online. Look for programs that offer online nursing degrees at this education online search website. Results can be sorted by nursing specialty. Check for accredited online programs at Nursing Degree.

Seek financing for a nursing degree

For a working person who possibly also is supporting a family, finding the extra money for colleges with nursing programs may make the degree impractical. If your employer is unable to provide any funding toward continuing education, look for scholarships to colleges and universities with nursing programs.

I recommend: Search for nursing scholarships by region, grade point average and ethnicity at Discover Nursing. You can also search by nursing interest, nursing status, state, and age at Nursing Link.

Consider schools offering graduate degrees in nursing

Those who gain a master's in nursing usually are called clinical nurse specialists. They go beyond basic nursing duties, becoming a nursing consultant for particular departments. Many nurses with a master's degree teach at community colleges and universities.

I recommend: The Grad Schools website lists graduate programs in nursing that are available in each state, along with specific tracks such as gerontology and forensics. The Medical Student's Resource Guide provides links to online graduate degrees in nursing as well as a job search area.

Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• If you are a mid-career professional, don't let any more time pass. Pursuing a nursing degree for those in allied health fields can be an excellent way to ensure job security and open new career doors.
• Be proactive. Read detailed school fact sheets, and then request information from colleges with nursing programs about their degrees.

The official source of Colleges and Universities with Nursing Programs is
the Colleges and Universities with Nursing Programs page at Business.com