Best Practical Nursing Programs 2020

Based in Nashville, Tennessee, Vanderbilt offers a variety of on-campus practical nursing programs, including master of science in nursing, DNP, and Ph.D. programs. The master's program offers specializations in areas such as adult-gerontology acute care, emergency, and nursing informatics.

Career services advisors provide students with links to top nursing job boards and maintain the school's vast alumni network on LinkedIn. Counselors also offer various virtual resources, such as coaching appointments and workshops. Degree-seekers can learn more on the Career Services website or by downloading the DoreWays mobile app.

Prospective MSN degree-seekers should possess a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA, complete undergraduate prerequisites, and submit three recommendation letters. The DNP program admits applicants with either a bachelor's or master's in nursing. Vanderbilt awards $7,000 per year to full-time MSN students with financial need.

Johns Hopkins' practical nursing programs include MSN, DNP, and Ph.D. programs. The MSN program offers three specializations: entry into nursing, advanced nursing practice, and healthcare organization leadership.

The School of Nursing's Career Lab works with students to network with potential employers, identify relevant skills, and reflect on career goals. The university's career services advisors provide additional resources, including virtual events and webinars. Additionally, free software, such as Handshake and Vault, allows learners to hone job-hunting skills at any time of day.

Johns Hopkins accepts applications for the fall, spring, and summer semesters. Degree-seekers pay a flat per-year tuition rate. Approximately 90% of MSN students receive institutional aid, ranging from $10,000 to full tuition.

NYU's practical nurse degrees help experienced nurses attain the latest best practices and advance their career. Learners in the RN-to-BSN program can graduate in just 16 months. They study topics like adult and elder nursing, acute care psychological nursing, and contemporary issues in healthcare. Master's learners can specialize in one of nine areas. They can also further their studies by earning an optional certificate in advanced practice.

NYU's Wasserman Center for Career Development offers on-campus and virtual career fairs, an internship and job board, and resume critiques. Students can also use the university's Violet Ready website to build 11 essential skills, including networking, resilience, and career awareness.

Prospective graduate students should possess a New York state nursing license, a minimum 3.0 undergraduate or graduate GPA, and work experience. Other admission requirements include two recommendation letters and a 2-3-page personal statement. NYU awards institutional aid packages to bachelor's and master's students who demonstrate financial need.

Emory's Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing features a variety of practical nursing programs at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels. Undergraduates can earn a traditional or accelerated bachelor's. Master's students can specialize in one of 13 areas, including neonatal, family nurse, or women's health. Although most students attend courses on Emory's Atlanta, Georgia, campus, the accelerated BSN and DNP programs both offer a fully online curriculum.

On-campus and online degree-seekers can use the School of Nursing's Career Services (CS) website to sign up for resume webinars, research job openings in and around Atlanta, and complete mock interviews. Learners can find nearly all CS resources by logging into Handshake.

Admission requirements for all master's degrees include a Georgia nursing license and a resume. Doctoral applicants must submit two professional references. Emory's institutional scholarships award aid to incoming learners based on past academic performance, military service, and Peace Corps participation.

Rochester's practical nursing opportunities include an online RN-to-BSN, multiple nurse practitioner degrees, and an MS-Ph.D. accelerated program. On-campus learners can gain hands-on experience at the Rochester Medical Center or at one of 600 clinical sites throughout New York. Specializations at the master's level include family, pediatric, and adult-gerontology.

Current students and recent graduates can take advantage of the Green Center's (GC) extensive career resources, including self-discovery tools, career communities, and podcasts. Virtual learners can access GC services through Slack, Zoom, and Handshake.

Each degree uses different application deadlines, and some degrees admit new learners only once per year. Prospective graduate degree-seekers need a minimum 3.0 undergraduate or graduate GPA, an active nursing license, and at least 1-2-years of clinical experience, depending on the program. New York residents may qualify for a 50-55% tuition reduction.

Practical nurse degree-seekers at Georgetown can select from one of four specialties at the bachelor's level, including global health, healthcare management and policy, and human science. MSN learners can choose from seven specializations. The doctoral program accepts degree-seekers with a bachelor's or a master's degree in nursing.

The Cawley Career Education Center (CCEC) offers specialized resources for nursing students, such as links to top job websites and professional publications. Other services include free access to private job boards and nursing organization recommendations. Nursing learners can also research job-hunting advice and career guides on the CCEC website.

Each degree program accepts new learners twice per year. Admission requirements typically include a nursing license, a minimum 3.0 GPA, and prerequisites. Many graduate programs do not consider applicants without professional experience. Georgetown offers a 5% tuition reduction for all nursing students.

SLU's practical nursing programs include accelerated bachelor's and master's programs that allow students to graduate in 12-21 months. Graduate learners can supplement their education by earning a certificate in one of five areas, such as nurse education, gerontological care, or pediatric primary care.

Both online and on-campus students can take advantage of SLU's Virtual Career Lab. The lab hosts multiple webinars each week that cover different industries. Learners who cannot attend can review recorded presentations on Handshake.

Prospective students should contact SLU to learn more about required application materials. This private university does not charge a higher tuition rate to out-of-state learners. The Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing awards multiple scholarships each year.

CWRU's practical nursing degree-seekers can pursue a master of nursing or a master of science in nursing with specializations in adult-gerontology acute care, education and population, and pediatric nurse practitioner. The school also offers a DNP program, which features a cohort learning model.

The CWRU Career Center offers career counseling, targeted job postings, and cover letter reviews. The center also sponsors student groups that help like-minded learners network and explore job opportunities.

MSN applicants need three recommendations, an Ohio nursing license, and prerequisites in statistics. Prospective DNP students should possess a minimum 3.0 graduate GPA. Undergraduate and graduate degree-seekers can apply for institutional scholarships and grants by submitting the university's financial aid form and FAFSA results.

UNC offers a variety of practical nurse degree programs. The university's BSN program includes coursework in clinical nursing skills, reproductive health and nursing care, and the foundations of research and health innovation. The school's MSN program offers multiple specializations, such as family nurse practitioner and healthcare leadership.

The university's career services include career guides and virtual career counseling. Career counselors can assist nursing students with researching and applying for jobs throughout the country. Learners can explore the career services website to learn more about interviewing tips, career pathways, and how to create a strong online presence.

Application materials depend on the degree and which track students select. Requirements can include a GPA cutoff, professional experience, and undergraduate prerequisites. Out-of-state students spend significantly more on tuition at this public institution. Undergraduate and graduate learners can apply for institutional and departmental financial aid.

Drexel's graduate practical nursing programs include an advanced role MSN and a nurse practitioner MSN. Both tracks feature numerous specialization options, including public health, pediatric primary, and psychiatric mental health. Public health students can earn the degree entirely online or on Drexel's Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, campus.

Counselors in Drexel's Career Development Center (CDC) give students and alumni the tools they need for a successful job hunt, such as resume tips, personal branding guides, and interview techniques. Other CDC resources include advice on how to achieve a work-life balance.

The MSN program accepts applicants with or without a nursing background. Prospective students should possess a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA. Learners who maintain a 3.0 or higher graduate GPA may qualify for the Drexel Dean's Fellowship.

Villanova's on-campus, undergraduate, and graduate practical nursing degrees prepare aspiring and practicing nurses for leadership positions in the field. The traditional four-year BSN requires coursework in Christian faith and life, health assessment, and human anatomy. Master's students can select from four nurse practitioner tracks, such as nursing education or adult-gerontology.

The Villanova Career Center (CC) offers virtual events, including an annual nursing career day. Students can visit the CC website to explore different careers and learn more about master's and doctoral programs. These and other resources help nearly 99% of BSN alumni find a job before or shortly after graduation.

Application requirements for the four-year BSN program include high school transcripts and one teacher recommendation. Villanova recommends but does not require standardized test scores from undergraduate applicants. Financial assistance for nursing degree-seekers includes need-based grants and a low-interest loan program.

Situated in West Lafayette, Indiana, Purdue offers practical nurse degrees at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels. The BSN offers two tracks: one for recent high school graduates and one for learners with a bachelor's in a different field. MS degree-seekers training for a career as a nurse practitioner can specialize in adult-gerontology primary care, family, pediatric, or psychiatric/mental health nursing.

Nursing students can visit the Purdue Center for Career Opportunities (CCO) website to hone interviewing skills, research potential employers, and network with alumni. CCO job-search videos cover salary negotiation techniques.

Recent high school graduates interested in the BSN program can apply with the Common Application. Master's degree programs require applicants to hold a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA and an Indiana nursing license. Other application materials include three recommendation letters and a resume. The School of Nursing awards merit-based scholarships to qualified undergraduate degree-seekers, which require a separate application.

Creighton's four practical nursing programs include traditional and accelerated BSN programs, an MSN, and a DNP. The traditional BSN includes coursework in population health, professional concepts, and care management. MSN degree-seekers can specialize in either nursing administration and leadership or nursing education.

Counselors who work in Creighton's John P. Fahey Career Center can help students identify career goals, develop transferable skills, and create personalized success steps. The center also offers Vault, GoinGlobal, and CareerShift software.

Prospective MSN students need an active nursing license, three recommendation letters, and undergraduate prerequisites in statistics. Creighton does not charge a higher tuition rate to out-of-state degree-seekers. The College of Nursing automatically considers incoming freshmen for scholarships.

Wake Forest's School of Medicine features two graduate practical nursing programs on its Winston-Salem, North Carolina, campus: an MSN in nurse anesthesia and a DNP. During the six-semester MSN, learners study clinical integration concepts, leadership skills, and applied clinical learning. The DNP program uses a fully online curriculum, and learners can earn the degree while working full time.

The Office of Personal and Career Development (OPCD) features videos that teach new students how to access all OPCD resources and services. Degree-seekers can also sign up for a virtual counseling session, submit a resume for review, and study the latest job market news.

Application requirements for the MSN degree include a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA, competitive GRE scores, an active North Carolina nursing license, and at least 2,080 hours of clinical experience. DNP applicants must submit two recommendation letters.

UM's nine practical nurse degrees train new and experienced nurses in areas such as adult-gerontology, family nurse practitioner, and anesthesia. The four-year traditional BSN includes coursework in systemic physiology, the principles of nutrition, and introductory statistics in healthcare. Master's degree-seekers can choose between a full- and part-time curriculum. The school also offers a DNP program.

Students can access the school's career services to explore career opportunities, prepare for interviews, and build a professional network. The school also offers virtual and in-person programs and workshops that examine different career paths.

MSN applicants need a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA, three recommendation letters, an active nursing license, and a personal statement. The doctoral program uses similar requirements and accepts applicants with a bachelor's or master's in nursing.

Located in Washington, D.C., Catholic University of America offers both on-campus and online practical nursing programs. On-campus BSN students complete an exploratory nursing program in the first two years before taking advanced coursework in women in health and illness, management of healthcare delivery, and nursing research. The school also offers fully online MSN, DNP, and Ph.D. programs.

The Center for Academic and Career Success (CACS) offers a cover letter guide and networking advice. CACS also offers Jobs For Catholics, a specialized job board wherein learners can find a career that aligns with their faith.

The undergraduate nursing program requires that learners maintain a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA during their freshman and sophomore years. MSN applicants must submit three recommendation letters.

ONU's practical nursing degrees include a BSN degree that most full-time students can complete in four years. The 120-credit curriculum covers topics such as nutrition for nurses, transcultural health, and medical surgical nursing.

The Office of Polar Careers offers a job board, in-person and virtual appointments, and career videos. Other resources include a customizable action plan and career fair success strategies. Students can also download a resume template aligned with their academic major.

Admission criteria include a minimum 23 ACT or 1130 SAT score, a high school diploma or GED scores, and a criminal background check. Applicants must also lack physical or mental impairments that would impact their nursing duties.

GW's practical nurse degrees emphasize the latest best practices. The BSN program offers a veterans track wherein learners with an associate degree can graduate in just 15 months. The MSN degree uses a hybrid curriculum with some courses on GW's Washington, D.C., campus.

Students can access career services such as resume and cover letter guides, job opportunities, and links to top nursing career sites. They can also review top nursing professional organizations on the Career Services website.

Application requirements vary by degree type but can include two recommendation letters, a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA, and a personal statement. Applicants to the master's or doctoral program need an active nursing license.

Located in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, BC offers undergraduate and graduate practical nursing programs, including BSN, MSN, and Ph.D. programs. BSN alumni report a 91% NCLEX-RN pass rate.

The BC Career Center (CC) created a special website for healthcare and nursing majors that includes career clusters. Students can join a cluster to network with peers and share job-hunting strategies. Other CC resources include a detailed checklist covering each step of the job-hunting process.

Undergraduate application requirements include the BC Writing Supplement. Prospective MSN degree-seekers should possess a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA and submit two recommendation letters. Although financial aid options vary by degree, the university considers all incoming BSN students for endowed scholarships.

Gonzaga offers one BSN practical nursing degree, two master's degrees, and two doctoral degrees. BSN students take courses on topics like determinants of health, profession and therapeutic communication, and pharmacology. Learners can earn any of the university's nursing graduate degrees entirely online. All nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

The school's career services include career fairs, career assessment tools, and on-campus career labs. The school also offers affordable business cards, which students can use during career fairs and other networking events.

Students can apply to the BSN after completing all nursing prerequisites with a minimum B grade in each course. MSN applicants without a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA can apply but must submit a letter of explanation. Washington residents with financial need may qualify for the Washington College Grant.