Nursing Schools Near Me | How to Become an RN – Stanford CA

How to Select a Nursing School near Stanford California

Stanford CA surgical nurse assisting surgeonSearching for the best nursing school near Stanford CA may feel like a challenging undertaking, especially if you aren’t sure what to look for in a good degree program. As you may presently understand, for you to practice as a registered nurse, you must acquire the proper education and training to become licensed. So it is critically important that you study and determine the qualifications of each college you are thinking about before enrolling in your ultimate selection. Unfortunately, too many prospective students base their decision solely on the cost of tuition and the distance of the school. Choosing the least costly program or the one that is nearest to your home is most likely not the best way to decide on a nursing program. There are various essential additional things to look into before you make a decision where to enroll in classes. But before we examine that checklist, let’s first go over what the job of a registered nurse is in our medical system, along with the nursing degree choices that are offered.

Registered Nurse Job Functions

Stanford CA Neonatal Nurse with babyRegistered nurses are the largest occupation in the healthcare delivery system. RNs practice in a large number of different medical environments, namely Stanford CA hospitals, family practices, outpatient clinics, nursing homes and even schools. Their primary role is to help doctors in the care of their patients. Having said that, the specific duties of a registered nurse will depend on their job or specialization in addition to where they work. A portion of the duties of an RN may include:

  • Providing medications
  • Overseeing patients
  • Performing physical examinations
  • Managing care
  • Supervising LPNs, LVNs and nurse aides
  • Educating patients and their families
  • Keeping health records and charts

Nurses with a more advanced degree may have more advanced job duties and accountabilities. Nurse practitioners (NP), for example, must hold a Master’s Degree and often work more independently than their RN counterparts. They can administer primary or specialty care services, prescribe medications, and diagnose and treat common illnesses or injuries.

Nursing Degrees Available

There are several degree options to choose from to become a registered nurse. And in order to become an RN, a student must enroll in an accredited school and program. A student can earn a qualifying degree in just two years, or advance to obtain a graduate degree for a total of six years. Following are some short descriptions of the nursing degrees that are offered in the Stanford CA area.

  • Associates. The Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is usually a 2 year program made available by community colleges. It prepares graduates for an entry level position in nursing in medical centers such as hospitals, clinics or nursing homes. Many use the ADN as an entry into nursing and subsequently attain a higher degree.
  • Bachelor’s. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) supplies more expansive training than the ADN. It is commonly a 4 year program offered at colleges and universities. Licensed RNs may be able to complete an accelerated program based on their past training or degree and professional experience (RN to BSN). Those applying to the program might want to advance to a clinical or administrative position, or be more competitive in the employment market.
  • Master’s. The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is typically a 2 year program after acquiring the BSN. The MSN program offers specialization training, for instance to become a nurse practitioner or concentrate on administration, management or teaching.

Once a graduating student has earned one of the above degrees, she or he must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) so as to become licensed. Further requirements for licensing change from state to state, so don’t forget to check with the California board of nursing for any state mandates.

LVN and LPN Programs

Stanford CA LPN assisting patientThere are principally two academic accreditations available that provide training to become either an LPN or an LVN. The one that can be finished in the shortest time frame, generally about 12 months, is the certificate or diploma course. The next choice is to earn a Practical Nursing Associate Degree. These programs are broader in nature than the diploma option and typically require 2 years to complete. The benefit of Associate Degrees, aside from offering a higher credential and more extensive instruction, are that they provide more transferable credit toward a Bachelor’s Degree in nursing. Regardless of the type of credential you seek, it should be California approved and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or some other national accrediting organization. The NLNAC attests that the syllabus properly prepares students to become Practical Nurses, and that the majority of graduates pass the 50 state required NCLEX-PN licensing exam.

CNA Courses

In contrast to many other licensed nurses, certified nursing assistants do not need to attain a college degree. CNA training can be obtained at Stanford CA area community colleges or at vocational or trade schools. The length of the training can take anywhere from just one to three months, leading to either a certificate or a diploma. Within the 1987 Nursing Home Reform Act, students are mandated to receive at least 75 hours of instruction, 16 of which must be clinical or “hands-on” training hours. Keep in mind that this is the minimum period of instruction mandated and every state has its specific prerequisites. So it’s essential to make certain that the training program you enroll in not only satisfies the federal requirements, but likewise those for California or the state where you will be practicing. One tip is to contact the health or nursing board for your state to make sure that the training is state approved. In addition to the training, each state mandates a passing score on a competency test for certification. Depending on the state, there might be other prerequisites as well.

What to Ask Nursing Schools

geriatric nurse with elderly patient in Stanford CANow that you have decided on which nursing program to enroll in, along with whether to attend your classes on campus near Stanford CA or online, you can use the following checklist to begin narrowing down your choices. As you undoubtedly are aware, there are numerous nursing schools and colleges throughout California and the United States. So it is important to reduce the number of schools to choose from to ensure that you will have a workable list. As we earlier discussed, the location of the school along with the cost of tuition are probably going to be the initial two factors that you will take into consideration. But as we also emphasized, they should not be your sole qualifiers. So prior to making your ultimate selection, use the following questions to evaluate how your pick measures up to the other schools.

  • Accreditation. It’s a good idea to make sure that the degree or certificate program in addition to the school is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. In addition to helping verify that you receive an excellent education, it may help in obtaining financial aid or student loans, which are oftentimes not offered in Stanford CA for non-accredited schools.
  • Licensing Preparation. Licensing prerequisites for registered nurses differ from state to state. In all states, a passing score is needed on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) together with graduation from an accredited school. Certain states require a specified number of clinical hours be completed, as well as the passing of additional tests. It’s essential that the school you are attending not only provides an excellent education, but also readies you to comply with the minimum licensing standards for California or the state where you will be practicing.
  • Reputation. Visit online rating services to see what the assessments are for each of the schools you are looking into. Ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. In addition, get in touch with the California school licensing authority to check out if there are any complaints or compliance issues. Finally, you can call some Stanford CA healthcare organizations you’re interested in working for after graduation and ask what their judgments are of the schools as well.
  • Graduation and Job Placement Rates. Find out from the RN colleges you are looking at what their graduation rates are as well as how long on average it takes students to finish their programs. A low graduation rate may be an indication that students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. It’s also important that the schools have high job placement rates. A high rate will not only confirm that the school has a good reputation within the Stanford CA medical community, but that it also has the network of contacts to assist students attain employment.
  • Internship Programs. The most ideal way to acquire experience as a registered nurse is to work in a clinical environment. Almost all nursing degree programs require a specific number of clinical hours be completed. Many states have minimum clinical hour prerequisites for licensing as well. Check if the schools have associations with Stanford CA hospitals, clinics or labs and help with the positioning of students in internships.

Nursing Online Programs

woman attending nursing school online in Stanford CAEnrolling in nursing programs online is growing into a more favored way to get instruction and attain a nursing degree. Some schools will require attending on campus for a component of the training, and virtually all programs call for a certain number of clinical rotation hours completed in a local healthcare center. But since the balance of the training may be accessed online, this alternative may be a more convenient solution to finding the time to attend school for some Stanford CA students. Concerning tuition, a number of online degree programs are cheaper than other on campus choices. Even supplemental expenses such as for commuting and study materials may be lessened, helping to make education more easily affordable. And a large number of online programs are accredited by organizations such as the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) for BSN and MSN degrees. Therefore if your work and household obligations have left you with little time to work toward your academic goals, perhaps an online nursing school will make it easier to fit a degree into your busy schedule.

Attending a Nursing School near Stanford CA?

Perhaps you have already made your decision to attend a Nursing Program in the greater Stanford California area.  If that is the case, then the following information may prove to be both educational and useful regarding the location of your future Alma Mater.

Stanford, California

Stanford is a census-designated place (CDP) in Santa Clara County, California, United States and is the home of Stanford University. The population was 13,809 at the 2010 census, with a daily population of 35,000.[3]

Stanford is an unincorporated area of Santa Clara County and is adjacent to the city of Palo Alto. Stanford, California is a valid postal address, and has its own post office and ZIP Codes: 94305 (campus buildings) and 94309 (post-office boxes). A popular landmark is the Dish.

Most of the Stanford University campus and other core University owned land is situated within the census-designated place of Stanford though the Stanford University Medical Center, the Stanford Shopping Center, and the Stanford Research Park are officially part of the city of Palo Alto. Its resident population consists of the inhabitants of on-campus housing, including graduate student residences and single-family homes and condominium owned by their faculty inhabitants but located on leased Stanford land. A residential neighborhood adjacent to the Stanford campus, College Terrace, featuring streets named after universities and colleges, including Cambridge, Oxford, Harvard and Princeton, is neither part of the Stanford CDP nor owned by the University but is part of Palo Alto.

Choose the Right Nursing School near Stanford CA

Stanford CA nursing studentDeciding on the right registered nursing program is perhaps the most crucial first step to launching a new career in the healthcare field. There are numerous variables that you should take into account when selecting a nursing school. These variables will be prioritized differently contingent on your existing career goals, lifestyle, and financial situation. As we have pointed out within this article, it is critical that you choose an RN school and a degree program that are each accredited and have exceptional reputations within the healthcare community. By utilizing our list of qualifying questions, you will be able to create a short list of schools to pick from so that you can make your ultimate selection. And with the appropriate degree and training, combined with your hard work and ambition to succeed, you can become a practicing nurse in Stanford CA.

More Awesome Locations in California

  • Nursing Schools Near Me | How to Become an RN – Farmersville CA
  • Nursing Schools Near Me | How to Become an RN – Dixon CA
  • Nursing Schools Near Me | How to Become an RN – Rancho Cordova CA
  • Nursing Schools Near Me | How to Become an RN – Lawndale CA
  • Nursing Schools Near Me | How to Become an RN – Temecula CA
  • Nursing Schools Near Me | How to Become an RN – Westley CA
  • Nursing Schools Near Me | How to Become an RN – Wildomar CA
  • Nursing Schools Near Me | How to Become an RN – San Leandro CA
  • Nursing Schools Near Me | How to Become an RN – Oro Grande CA
  • Nursing Schools Near Me | How to Become an RN – Emeryville CA
  •  

     

    The location could not be found.

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 342

    Vi at Palo Alto
    10 Reviews
    Retirement Homes
    Phone:
    620 Sand Hill Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94304

    Palo Alto Sub-Acute & Rehabilitation Center
    38 Reviews
    Rehabilitation Center, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    911 Bryant St, Palo Alto, CA 94301

    Atherton Regency
    13 Reviews
    Rehabilitation Center, Physical Therapy, Skilled Nursing
    Phone:
    1275 Crane St, Menlo Park, CA 94025

    Webster House Health Center
    3 Reviews
    Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Skilled Nursing
    Phone:
    437 Webster St, Palo Alto, CA 94301

    NurseRegistry
    4 Reviews
    Home Health Care, Skilled Nursing, Personal Care Services
    Phone:
    125 University Ave, Ste 90, Palo Alto, CA 94301

    Carlmont Gardens Nursing Center
    15 Reviews
    Skilled Nursing
    Phone:
    2140 Carlmont Dr, Belmont, CA 94002

    The Terraces
    9 Reviews
    Retirement Homes, Assisted Living Facilities, Skilled Nursing
    Phone:
    373 Pine Ln, Los Altos, CA 94022

    Cedar Crest Nursing & Rehabilitation
    27 Reviews
    Rehabilitation Center
    Phone:
    797 E Fremont Ave, Sunnyvale, CA 94087

    Brookside Skilled Nursing Hospital
    13 Reviews
    Skilled Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapists
    Phone:
    2620 Flores St, San Mateo, CA 94403

    Devonshire Oaks Nursing Center
    10 Reviews
    Medical Centers, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    3635 Jefferson Ave, Redwood City, CA 94062