There are three items to consider when choosing the best nurse aide school: equipment, admissions requirements, and accreditation. Nurse aide programs are usually organized within a larger community or career college, as part of the school of nursing or the health services department. A nurse aide works under the supervision of the licensed nurse, interacting directly with patients and completing routine procedures.
The best nurse aide schools have a wide range of equipment available for student use. This includes patient mannequins, hospital equipment, and monitoring equipment. Check the average class size to ensure you will have ample opportunity to use this equipment.
The school is also responsible for organizing job placement opportunities for all nurse aides. Look at the list of job placement partnerships to determine if positions are available in multiple sectors, such as long-term care facilities, hospitals, and medical clinics. This is very important, as this is the only way to gain experience in this role.
In order to qualify for admission to nurse aide school, you must have completed high school. The best schools are usually located near a large hospital or medical school. This makes it easier for the school to organize job placement programs and guest lecturers from medical professionals. A nurse aide program is typically nine to 12 months year in length, and often has continuous enrollment.
If you are looking at the best nurse aide school in the country or state, think about what is best for you. For example, a student with family responsibilities may find that a program with online course options is the best program. Another student may decide that a part-time program with courses in the evenings and weekends works best. Think about your daily life, what will fit and find the program that works for you.
When looking for nurse aide school, always check the accreditation status of the school. An accredited school has been reviewed by an independent third party. Courses from an accredited school can be transferred to other post-secondary institutions. This is very important, as many people change careers and the ability to use credits earned in the nurse aide program toward other health care programs reduces the time and cost of career changes.
When choosing the best nurse aide school, look for a school that is dedicated to this profession. Many nursing colleges offer nurses aide training as a side program, for students who are interested in nursing, but lack the academic credentials required. A nurse aide plays an important role in the health services team and the allocation of staff and resources should reflect that.
