Questions to help evaluate Nursing programs

I developed a spreadsheet (geek alert!) to help my D25 think through her acceptance choice. She rolled her eyes and didn’t use it much, but I’ll post the questions here and hopefully someone will get some use out of it!

GENERAL
School
How large is this year’s incoming class?
How many total undergrads / graduate students?
What is the retention rate of undergrads?
What is the average class size? The maximum class size?
Are most classes taught by professors? How prevalent is the use of teaching assistants?
How well-regarded is the school? What is its reputation?
What is the orientation program?
Housing
How does freshman housing work? Where do first year students live?
How are roommates determined?
What percentage of students live on campus?
Are there dedicated housing options or learning communities for nursing students?
Is housing guaranteed all four years?
What types of housing are available for first years, and other years? (dorms, pods, appartments, etc)
Where are the dining halls on campus? Is there good choice?
Is the food considered good?
What are the dining meal plan options? Is there flexibility for older students?
Community
Are there interesting organizations, clubs, and activities?
How is the Greek System?
What is campus life like on weekends?
What safety measures are in place on campus?
What are some benefits to the campus location?
What are some of the negatives?
NURSING
Program
How large is each year’s class?
How long has the program been in existence?
Is the BSN Program accredited? In Process?
What is the retention rate for students in the nursing program?
Do students find their professors and program advisors accessible?
What is the tutoring / mentoring system in place?
How does the program support struggling students?
Are there wellness programs or resources for stress management?
How are students prepared for the NCLEX?
What is the NCLEX-RN Pass rate for recent graduates?
How well-regarded is the nursing program? What is its reputation?
Course of Study
What is the syllabus? Is there any flexibility?
What are the required first-year courses?
Where are the classrooms? Is there a dedicated building? Is it on main campus?
Are there simulation labs, and how often are they used in the curriculum?
How does study abroad integrate with nursing? Where are the location options?
Clinicals
At what point in the program do students begin clinical rotations?
How are clinical placements assigned?
Where are clinical assignments? What is the range of locations?
What is in place to accommodate clinical schedules? Is transportation provided?
What specialties or focus areas can nursing students explore?
How much clinical time is typical by graduation?
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