When you first consider returning to nursing school to earn your Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing, it’s natural to consider the schools in the area you currently live. It’s likely that you are already aware of the schools in your state, at least by name. So why should you consider relocating for nursing school?

Going out of state for nursing school could make the difference between starting a better nursing career sooner and waiting to start your nursing education and career. If you are ready to get started on your future as registered nurse today, you should consider relocating to attend Marian University’s Accelerated BSN program in Indiana.

Avoid a Nursing School Waitlist

Nothing can hinder your nursing education faster than a nursing school waitlist.

The nation is facing a shortage in qualified nurses. This shortage plays a critical role in rise of waitlists at nursing schools across the country. Although more students are entering nursing programs, there are not enough nurse educators to meet the demands of nursing programs. Enrollment in BSN programs has increased 17 percent since 2010, according to the AACN. Additionally, many nursing programs only start once a year in September. This has led to overly-full classrooms and long waitlists, sometimes years-long.

So how can you avoid a nursing school waitlist?

At Marian University, our Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is online. Although you will still be meeting your classmates and lab instructors in skills labs, as well as work with real patients at clinical rotations at St.Vincent Health, the online classes means students don’t have to worry about over-crowded classrooms.

One of the number one reasons Marian University’s ABSN program doesn’t have a waitlist, however, is because we offer numerous start dates each year. Three times per year in January, May, and August means we can start students more frequently. Multiple start dates also allows students to take their time with prerequisite courses without putting their nursing education on hold for an entire year.

Gain Clinical Experience at St.Vincent Health

One of the biggest advantages of relocating to earn your Accelerated BSN through Marian University is our partnership with St.Vincent Health in Indianapolis.

Once our nursing students start clinical rotations, they are exposed to an award-winning health care system. Students will complete clinicals at various St.Vincent Health locations throughout the Indianapolis area, allowing them to experience different health care settings and build a strong professional network before graduation. This network includes Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at St.Vincent and St.Vincent Women’s Hospital, both of which achieved Magnet recognition by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) in 2012, along with many other St.Vincent Indianapolis health care centers.

Find a Great Nursing Program

Going out of state for nursing school expands your education options.

There are a finite number of universities and colleges within your home state, and not all of them offer nursing programs. You may find that the nursing programs available don’t meet your education standards. Perhaps you would prefer a private school, or the NCLEX-RN pass rate at those schools isn’t high, or the nursing program is too long or short. Looking outside of your home state means you can find the nursing program that perfectly suits your needs.

When researching nursing programs, you may want to consider some of these factors:

NCLEX-RN Pass Rates

The NCLEX-RN pass rates of a nursing program are a great indicator of the program’s ability to prepare its students for nursing careers. After all, attending a school with a low NCLEX pass rate may mean you aren’t learning the fundamentals of nursing, which can drastically hinder your career.

Marian University’s Accelerated BSN NCLEX pass rate is exceptionally high at 94 percent, much higher than the national average of 85 percent.

National and Regional Rankings (according to the US News and World Report)

Every year, the US News and World Report compiles a list of nationally and regionally ranked colleges and universities. Rankings are based on data such as student retention and graduation rates. Marian University, for example, is ranked #25 regionally based on data from 148 schools.

Program Cost

It’s important to factor in cost into your nursing education. Make sure to take some time to research scholarships and grants for nursing students to help finance your education.

One big benefit of going out of state for nursing school at Marian University in Indianapolis is that our out-of-state and in-state students all pay the same tuition.

Program Lengths

Attending a school with a program that drags on for years is almost as bad as being stuck on a waitlist- both can keep you from starting your career as soon as possible. Marian’s accelerated nursing program is only 14 months, which means that you can start your nursing career in just a little over a year.

Amount of Credits Required to Graduate

Closely related to the program length, the amount of credits you are required to take is important, too. You will want to find a program with a good balance between the amount of credits and the program length. Otherwise, you may find yourself trying to fit in too many classes in too little time. Marian’s ABSN program requires successful completion of 64 credit hours.

Online vs. Ground-based Programs

Perhaps you want to have some more flexibility with your education. While ground-based courses allow you to see your classmates and professors face-to-face a couple of times a week, you are stuck on the same schedule as your professors. Online nursing programs, such as the ABSN program, allow you to study where and when you please. However, this doesn’t mean you aren’t able to see your classmates. You will chat regularly in group discussions through our unique online learning platform, Canvas, as well as see your lab instructors and classmates during lab simulations.

Number of Start Dates

If you complete your prerequisite courses in September but find that you’ve just barely missed the start date, you may have to wait an entire year to start your nursing education. With more start dates offered per year, Marian’s ABSN program lets you start as soon as you’ve completed all of your prerequisites.

Want to learn more about going out of state for nursing school and Marian University’s accelerated online nursing program? Contact one of our advisors today.