Best Colleges for Registered Nursing

I'm planning to apply to registered nursing programs and want to know which colleges are considered the best. Whether it's program quality, clinical opportunities, or faculty, what schools are top-rated for an RN education?

Several schools are renowned for their outstanding registered nursing programs and offer a variety of features from high-quality faculty to clinical opportunities. Here are a few you might consider:

1. University of Pennsylvania (Penn Nursing): Penn's nursing school continually ranks among the best in the nation. The school offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program with a solid foundation in the liberal arts and sciences. In addition to strong classroom instruction, students engage in clinical practice at leading hospitals and health care services right in Philadelphia.

2. Duke University School of Nursing: Duke offers accelerated and traditional BSN options, both of which provide extensive clinical experience. The school is recognized for its advanced use of technology in their simulation labs, which prepare students for real-world nursing scenarios.

3. Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing: Known for being at the forefront of patient care, research, teaching, and service, the school offers a traditional BSN program as well as an accelerated program for students who already have a bachelor's degree in another field.

4. University of Michigan School of Nursing: Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, this esteemed program is known for its rigorous curriculum and a wide array of clinical practicum placements.

5. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Nursing: They offer a pre-licensure baccalaureate program leading to the BSN, an MSN program for RNs seeking advanced degrees, and a doctoral program.

While these are the top-tier, there are numerous other schools providing quality nursing education across the United States. It's important to assess school options not just on ranking but on factors like location, tuition cost, financial aid, class size, student support, campus culture, and opportunities to specialize in areas of interest.