Nursing degrees to save the world

There just aren’t enough nurses. In the US, there are hundreds of thousands of vacancies for healthcare workers — an issue faced by many developed nations, including the UK, Switzerland, and New Zealand. This staffing shortage creates gaping holes in healthcare, with hospitals unable to take in more patients, operate in under-served areas and diversify their services. 

An easier path from nursing school to hospitals, physicians’ offices, home healthcare services, and nursing care facilities awaits anyone joining the noble profession today. But employability is by no means the only thing that lies in store for nursing graduates. You stand to play an indispensable role in the health and well-being of people of all ages, families, groups and communities, sick or well and in all settings. 

If you seek a career on the front lines of disease prevention and the delivery of primary health care, consider these leading institutions:

University of Rochester School of Nursing

Ever dreamt of a career that’s impactful, flexible, and filled with opportunities? If yes, nursing might be your calling, and the University of Rochester’s School of Nursing — ranked 23rd in the nation by US News & World Report — could be your perfect launchpad.

Here, you’ll find a vibrant community united by a shared purpose: to make a tangible difference in the lives of others. Whether you come from a background in nutrition or marketing, neuroscience, or music, the school embraces your unique path and nurtures your transformation into a compassionate, competent nurse.

The Accelerated Bachelor’s in Nursing Programme is great for anyone seeking to accelerate a career change to nursing. Spanning 12 months, the full-time, on-site programme is the quickest route for college graduates to enter the nursing profession, shorter than other similar prelicensure programs for non-nurses. In this period, you’ll gain the knowledge and experience needed to excel, work in state-of-the-art clinical labs, and have access to expert faculty at the University of Rochester Medical Center in upstate New York. With a 90% NCLEX-RN pass rate exceeding the national average and 720 hours of clinical rotations at a leading medical centre, you’ll be prepared to hit the ground running.

The school draws talented students from across New York, the US and the world for many reasons. It is a seven-time winner of the Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award. It is one of five nursing schools in the nation recognised as an Apple Distinguished School, where one in three students represent groups historically minoritized in nursing and healthcare. There’s a rich ecosystem of research here, with the school ranking #31 in research funding from the National Institutes of Health for nursing schools, with a PhD in Nursing & Health Science programme and pathways to nursing research. The school is also endorsed by the International Nursing Association of Clinical & Simulation Learning (INACSL). Interested? Click here to learn more about UR Nursing at the University of Rochester.

Source: George Washington University

George Washington University

The George Washington University School of Nursing stands out for numerous reasons. Chief among them are its quality courses, a faculty that’s active in practice and access to state-of-the-art facilities.

To study here is to do so in a school with a wealth of experience too. In Spring 2020, it marked the school’s 10-year anniversary. In the past decade, it has achieved many successes, including recruiting renowned faculty, receiving national recognition for their graduate programmes and launching innovative academic initiatives.

The school’s programme span a variety of levels and types. For instance, the school offers several options for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programme, including the Accelerated BSN, Veterans BSN and Online RN-BSN.

The Accelerated BSN takes place at the Virginia Science and Technology Campus in Ashburn, Virginia. You only need four consecutive semesters to complete a programme that leads to a BS in Nursing and eligibility to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for registered nurses. Clinical rotations expose you to various specialties and settings. You’ll cover medical and surgical nursing, obstetrics, pediatrics, psychiatric nursing and community health at op-rated facilities in the greater Washington, D.C. or via residency through the school’s Washington Squared and GW Hospital Nursing Scholars programmes.

Cutting-edge, unique and career-focused — these are the top three features that distinguish the Accelerated BSN from other similar programmes. You’ll learn core concepts through a variety of formats including high-fidelity simulators, standardised patients and interactive online modules. As for electives, you get to pick from a selection that includes perioperative care, health information and technology, global health, pediatric adversity and early childhood development. Along the way, you’ll follow an integrated review process with a live review before graduation to ensure you are ready for the NCLEX-RN.

Experienced faculty lead programmes, fostering a robust nursing community, building a confident healthcare workforce, and mentoring future leaders. Source: UBC School of Nursing/Facebook

University of British Columbia

University of British Columbia’s School of Nursing is one of Canada’s premier nursing schools that’s known around the world. Since 1915, it has been committed to research and teaching. 

“Our school has a long-standing commitment to health equity and social justice. We work in partnership with patients, family care-givers, and those with lived experience to raise awareness, to change practice and policy, and to achieve equity in health care and an enhanced quality of life for all,” says Elizabeth M. Saewyc, Professor and Director of the School of Nursing. 

“Our graduates carry that commitment with them as they enter the workforce, initiate ground-breaking research, and mentor the next generation of health care practitioners.”

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing programme at UBC is a rigorous yet rewarding journey. Students immerse themselves in the latest technology, mentored by renowned faculty and scholars. The curriculum champions social relevance and excellence, preparing graduates for diverse career paths.

The Clinical Simulation Lab (CSL) is a cornerstone of the programme, offering a realistic and risk-free environment for mastering essential nursing skills. Here, students hone their abilities in a simulated clinical setting, building confidence and competence before stepping into real-world healthcare environments.

Graduates of UBC’s nursing programme go on to do well in many roles and settings. Some excel in acute care settings. Others contribute to research in diverse areas like oncology, geriatrics, or supporting vulnerable populations. Several rise to leadership roles too, transforming nursing care across hospitals, agencies, and beyond.

*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International