As the health care industry is growing enormously, many have geared to find the best nursing schools because they are looking to enter the field for the first time, or practice an advanced degree in nursing. Since technology maintains its growth, nurses will be anticipated to present care to patients over great distances via the Internet and by telephone. As predicted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, by 2012 the employment rate of Registered Nurses will go beyond the growth rate on average of all other occupations. Hence, if you are looking to submit an application to the best nursing schools 2009, you may want to start your search by determining which schools are approaching technology.
There are numerous questions that you may want to ask yourself or observe in order to determine which programs are ranking as the best nursing schools of 2009. Initially you should decide if you want to attend school locally or are you able to travel or possibly relocate. In the U.S., there are at least 739 nursing schools. Out those, 728 offer permanent programs and 478 offers part-time programs as well. In its June 2009 edition, U.S. News and World Report roll top nursing programs all around the state. Though, this data was collected in 2007 and is based on ratings by nursing educators, who effectively nominated up to 10 schools for every area of distinction.
There are several certified nursing sites and journals where you can find thorough information regarding programs in addition to the latest awards in your field of interest. Another such site is The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), which in November granted Awards for Excellence in Gerontological Nursing Education. The categories included:
- Advanced Practice-Level Curricular Innovation at Oregon Health & Science University School of Nursing
- Baccalaureate-Level Curricular Innovation at Harding University College of Nursing (Arkansas) and University of Southern Indiana College of Nursing and Health Professions.
- Geriatric Nursing Faculty Champion at the Elaine C. Hubbard Center for Nursing Research on Aging, University of Rochester School of Nursing.
- Outstanding School of Nursing Communications at Mennonite College of Nursing at Illinois State University.
