| With thousands of colleges throughout the United | | | | The average cost of attending one of these |
| States, how in the world does anyone choose the right | | | | prestigious schools may cost up to $ 875.00 per credit |
| college for a degree in nursing? Is one of the top | | | | hour for Undergraduate classes, plus annual student |
| nursing schools your best choice? Caution and care | | | | service fees and other ancillary charges. Some |
| must be taken to ensure that adequate and | | | | colleges cost more, and of course, some less. |
| appropriate education is found and met, and in line with | | | | However, all is not lost. The Federal Student Financial |
| your career goals. | | | | Aid program offers many qualified students monies for |
| Deciding on a nursing career is a bold, but fulfilling step. | | | | these studies, and of course, there are a multitude of |
| Some of us have dreamed of becoming a nurse since | | | | scholarship opportunities, Pell Grants, and student loan |
| childhood; others just seem to 'fall' into the field | | | | programs. |
| seemingly by accident. Regardless of the amount of | | | | With the knowledge that attending one of the top ten |
| time (years) an individual has pondered this decision, | | | | colleges listed above will result in higher cost, it may be |
| much thought and investigation must be initiated to | | | | to your advantage to undertake your basic General |
| ensure any specific nursing college is right for you, and | | | | Education components in a local community college or |
| that you are right for the college as well. | | | | online course program. Before doing so however, |
| The top nursing schools currently (2009) are as | | | | prospective students must make sure that the college |
| follows: University of Pennsylvania, University of | | | | they wish to attend recognizes course content from |
| California, Columbia University New York, University of | | | | local technical centers, community colleges or any |
| Washington, University of North Carolina, University of | | | | online course the student takes. |
| Illinois, Pittsburg University, John Hopkins University, Yale | | | | This list of top nursing schools is by no means inclusive. |
| University, and University of Michigan. Do you see | | | | These, and many other fine institutions offer excellent |
| where this is going? All of these colleges listed are | | | | course content and degree programs in the field of |
| specific for specialties, as well as having 'General' | | | | nursing. Any student that enrolls and is accepted will be |
| Associate Arts degrees, as well as BSN, and Master | | | | offered a quality education, mentorship programs and |
| Degree Programs. | | | | pride in being able to obtain a degree from one of |
| Within these listings are some top nursing schools that | | | | these prestigious schools. For those who are unable to |
| offer 'specialties within specialties'. For example, the | | | | afford, or perhaps not be accepted by any of the top |
| University of Pennsylvania offers nursing specialty in | | | | nursing schools above, don't despair. There are many |
| Pediatrics, Family nursing, and Gerontology, while the | | | | fine colleges across our country that offer an excellent |
| University of Washington also offers Pediatric and | | | | nursing program that may be the best choice for you. |
| Family Practice nursing specialties. | | | | |