In recent history the nursing profession has gone through a difficult time. The current nursing shortage has lead to importing foreign born nurses to take up the slack. Even with this measure taken, the shortage is still felt in many hospitals. This shortage spells a reduced level of care in hospitals, and potentially, a less than adequate compensation package for U.S. nurses.

This doesn't mean that there aren't hundreds of thousands of talented people who would love to enter the nursing profession. Part of the decision making process revolves around what the interested individual needs to look for in a nursing school. Like any other type of educational institution, not all nursing schools are created equal.

The first consideration for many people is the cost of their education. Everyone would love to be able to go to any school they want, but often that is financially impossible. The prospective student should carefully review the financial aid possibilities at each of the nursing schools they are interested. Some schools offer a reduced tuition if the future nurse promises to work for a specific hospital or network of hospitals for a certain length of time. Almost all nursing schools will be able to assist potential students with learning more about financial aid.

Another important factor in deciding on a nursing school is location. Many students, especially those already established in a certain area, will want to be sure there is a high quality nursing school in the area. For obvious reasons, the commute could have a large part to play in deciding on the right school. Many potential students also look for smaller class sizes which are more likely in a less populated town or region.

Some people start nursing school with a certain specialty in mind. For those students, it's important to check with the school and ask past students about the school's policy on clinical rotations. Learning on your feet, so to speak, is important for any nursing student, but those with a specific area of study in mind will want to be sure to gain the necessary experience they will need. This is the reason many nursing schools team up with a teaching hospital to give their students the best clinical rotation schedule available.

For a nursing student the NCLEX examinations are the equivalent to the Bar exam for a law student. In order to choose the best nursing school, it is vitally important to check over the schools recent past NCLEX scores. The percentage of past students who did well on this exam is a good indication of how competent the teaching staff is. After all, a nursing school isn't doing its job if the student isn't adequately prepared to pass this all important exam.

Like clinical rotations, the individual specialty courses available at a nursing school are important as well. The basics of nursing are pretty much the same for everyone, but when it comes time to decide on a specialty, the potential student wants to be sure that their education will be as well rounded as they need to be prepared for the career of their choice. For example, a student who wants a career in the geriatrics department isn't going to get the classes they need in a school with an emphasis on pediatrics.

The key to finding the right nursing school is a combination of finance, location, and reputation. Like any major decision, it takes time and careful planning to get into the correct school for the potential student. Compatibility is important as well. When it comes to a person's future, it is best to check every possible feature.