5 Important Tips to Help You Find the Best Nursing School Near You
If you’re dreaming of a rewarding career in nursing, choosing the right school is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make. You need a program that gives you real-world training, expert mentorship, and a supportive environment where you can thrive.
Westcliff University’s new College of Nursing in Corona, California, was designed for future healthcare leaders like you. Whether you’re just starting your college journey or making a career switch, these five essential tips will help you find the best nursing school near you and take the first step toward becoming a registered nurse.
What to Look for in a Nursing School: Key Factors to Consider
When you’re trying to find nursing schools, there is a lot to think about: the school’s reputation, the quality of the curriculum, the cost, clinical partnerships, the level of career support—it can all be overwhelming. Follow these steps to make a decision you can feel confident about.
1. Look for Extensive Hands-On Experience
Nursing isn’t just about studying—it’s about applying knowledge in real-life situations. That’s why a great nursing school immerses you in hands-on training, ensuring you graduate with confidence, not just credentials.
For example, at Westcliff’s College of Nursing in Corona, you’ll gain real-world experience through:
- High-tech simulation labs that mimic real patient scenarios
- Interactive case studies and technology-driven learning
- Clinical placements with local hospitals and healthcare providers
And, with the ATI Engage suite included in your tuition, you’ll get to swap outdated textbooks for interactive, real-world learning that trains you to think, act, and lead as a nurse. By the time you step into your first clinical role, you’ll already have experience tackling real-world challenges in a safe, supportive environment.
“Nursing is fundamentally about applying knowledge in real-world settings. Our students graduate with a clear understanding of what’s ahead—because we’ve prepared them for it,” says Erica Martinez, DNP, RN, CCRN, NEA-BC, Executive Director of Nursing at Westcliff.
If you’re wondering how to find a nursing school that promotes hands-on learning, start by researching the program’s website and brochures. Most schools will highlight their educational philosophy and summarize their curriculum. If they don’t specifically call out interactive approaches like simulations, they probably take a more traditional textbook route. Also, consider how much they emphasize clinical experience and how early in the program it starts.
2. Choose a Program That Matches Your Path
Whether you’re fresh out of high school or already have a degree but want to shift into nursing, it’s important to find nursing schools that fit your background before investing time in researching them. There are many different nursing degrees available, from associate degrees to PhD programs, and many different career paths in nursing.
If your goal is to become a registered nurse, you might want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Or, if you already have a bachelor’s in another field and would like to open doors to more advanced career options, an entry-level master’s degree might be for you.
Westcliff’s College of Nursing offers two career-driven programs:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): A three-year, year-round program perfect for first-time students.
- Entry-Level Master (ELM) of Science in Nursing: Designed for career-changers who already hold a degree in another field but want to transition into nursing.
No matter where you’re starting, find a nursing school like Westcliff that provides a direct, streamlined path to becoming a licensed, practice-ready nurse.
3. Learn from Nurses Who Have Been in Your Shoes
Your professors should be more than just educators—they should be experienced nurses who know exactly what it’s like to be in your position.
At Westcliff, you’ll learn from professionals who have spent years on the frontlines of healthcare.
Take Associate Dean of Nursing Academics Joy Kiat-Floro, who has more than 30 years of international nursing experience, including launching the first women’s and children’s hospital in Qatar. Her mentorship helps students develop confidence, resilience, and leadership skills.
Add to that Dr. Martinez’s unique perspective as both an educator and a practicing rapid response nurse, and you get a leadership team that truly understands what it takes to succeed in the field. They’ve been in your shoes, faced the challenges, and built careers rooted in skill and compassion—now, they’re here to help you do the same.
“The best nurses never stop learning,” says Joy. “At Westcliff, we’re not just teaching students—we’re shaping the future of healthcare.”
If you’re feeling overwhelmed debating how to find the best nursing school for you, research the faculty’s backgrounds. You can also reach out to an admissions advisor, who may be able to put you in touch with former students or the instructors themselves to answer your questions. A program that is transparent and willing to give potential students personal attention will also probably support its students and their future careers.
4. Find a Campus That Feels Like Home
It makes sense to start your research by Googling “find nursing schools near me” — because location is important! However, you don’t just want to consider what campus is close to home but what campus feels like home. You’ll spend a lot of time on campus, so it should be a place where you feel comfortable, supported, and inspired.
Let’s be real—you’ll spend a lot of time on campus, so it should be a place where you feel comfortable, supported, and inspired.
Westcliff’s College of Nursing in Corona, Calif. is:
- Centrally located right off the 15 freeway, minutes from shopping, restaurants, and parks in the Dos Lagos area.
- Equipped with high-tech simulation labs, beautiful study lounges, and bright science classrooms that prepare you for real-world nursing.
- Deeply connected to the community, with clinical partnerships at local hospitals and clinics so you can train close to home.
5. Choose a School with a Strong Reputation
You want a nursing school that has credibility and a history of helping students succeed.
Westcliff University has been a recognized leader in career-focused education for more than 30 years. Its expansion into nursing was designed to address the growing demand for skilled healthcare professionals in Southern California.
- Accredited through the prestigious WSCUC
- State-of-the-art simulation and training technology to prepare you for the NCLEX exam
- A mission to develop confident, compassionate, and highly skilled nurses
“We want hospitals and clinics to know that when they hire a Westcliff nurse, they’re getting someone who is ready to lead with skill and compassion,” says Joy Kiat-Floro.
To find nursing schools that will give you a quality education, instill leadership skills, and help support your career path, research the school as well as the program you are applying to. Are the faculty members accomplished in their fields outside of teaching? Have alumni gone on to careers that you would like to have? Does the school support its graduates’ career paths by hosting alumni networking events?
Westcliff offers many ways to read student success stories and catch up on student, faculty, and alumni news.
Common Mistakes Students Make When Selecting a Nursing School
Choosing a nursing school is an important decision that can shape your career path. While it can feel overwhelming to find a nursing school that ticks all the boxes, you can improve your chances of finding your best-fit school by avoiding some common pitfalls, including:
- Not verifying accreditation and state approval — Only consider schools accredited by recognized bodies such as the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Accreditation ensures the program meets national standards, is eligible for federal financial aid, and is recognized by employers. The program also must be approved by your state’s Board of Nursing for you to obtain your license.
- Underestimating financial commitments — Find a nursing school that is transparent about its tuition and fees, Westcliff is committed to ensuring that students understand what their education will cost and that it is affordable. The financial aid department also helps students stay informed about federal grants and payment programs.
- Ignoring curriculum differences — Don’t assume all nursing programs teach the same material in the same way. Check out the program’s website, read the program head’s mission statement, and download the course catalog to dive deeper into what you’ll be learning. Is the school’s approach interactive and technology-driven, or is it more traditional, relying on textbooks and lectures.
- Overlooking clinical placement options — To earn a nursing degree, you must complete clinical rotations at a hospital or other medical site. When determining the best nursing school for you, research where your clinical hours will take place, how soon in the program they will begin, and on what days and times you can schedule them.
- Prioritizing convenience over educational quality — We get it; you have a life, friends, and family and aren’t looking for a long commute. Some students will type “find a nursing school near me” into their phones and apply to the first result. But location should only be one of the factors you consider when choosing a nursing school that could shape the rest of your life. Research the school’s reputation, the program’s curriculum, clinical placements, and career support when deciding on the best nursing school for your goals.
Why Choose Westcliff University for Pursuing Your Nursing Degree?
Whether you are just entering higher education or want to pursue a more meaningful career, Westcliff’s College of Nursing is a career-driven program that is committed to student success. With small class sizes, career guidance, and a hands-on, multimedia approach to learning, Westcliff provides students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to give caring treatment and make an impact in their communities.
Your search for the best nursing school ends here. To learn more, download the College of Nursing brochure.