Nursing is one of the fastest growing professions in the United States. With demand for well qualified candidates at an all time high, now is a great time to consider enrolling in one of the nursing programs offered by the University of Maryland School of Nursing. The campus is conveniently located in the southwestern region of Baltimore. The lively Inner Harbor neighborhood is within walking distance and the center of Washington, D.C. is only a brief drive away.
The University of Maryland School of Nursing is part of a university system which was originally established in 1807. This venerable institution enjoys a solid reputation as one of the foremost scientific and research centers in the nation. The nursing programs offered through the university are accredited by several professional organizations such as:
- The Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools
- The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- The American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation
These various accreditations ensure that the student’s credentials will be recognized by employers all over the country. The university provides a variety of accredited continuing education programs for nurses so that they may maintain their qualifications at a cutting edge institution that is recognized for its innovative teaching techniques and exceptionally well equipped laboratory spaces.
The University of Maryland School of Nursing offers a variety of programs from which the prospective student may choose. Among the degree, certificate, and educational options are:
- Undergraduate degrees
- Graduate degrees
- Doctoral programs
- Professional certificates
- Non-degree coursework
The main undergraduate degree offered by the University of Maryland School of Nursing is the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Students may choose either the traditional BSN, which is designed for those who do not already have a nursing degree, or RN-BSN, a program for those who have already earned a diploma or associate degree in nursing. Once graduating from this program, the student is eligible for take the National Council Licensure Examination in order to receive their RN license.
At the graduate level, students may choose from a variety of specialties such as:
- Trauma, critical care, and emergency nursing
- Family nurse practitioner
- Nurse anesthesia
- Psychiatric Mental Health nursing
- Community and Public Health nursing
- Pediatric nursing
- Adult and Gerontological nursing
Specializing allows the student to further their education and career in a focused direction that can lead to greater job satisfaction as well as the potential for maximizing income.
The Clinical Nurse Leader program is a master’s level program for students who hold an undergraduate degree in another discipline. This course of study prepares the student for their RN licensure exam, usually within a time period that is shorter than two years. Students may also opt for the RN-MS program which allows them to concurrently earn the Bachelor of Science in Nursing and an MS in Health Services Leadership and Management.
The University of Maryland School of Nursing also offers doctoral programs aimed at students who would like to receive educational credentials that are among the highest available to nursing professionals. Students may choose from options such as: Doctor of Philosophy, Doctor of Nursing Practice, and Post-BSN studies which provide an introduction to the Doctor of Nursing Practice.
The University of Maryland offers a broad range of education options for students who are either already nurses, or for individuals fresh out of high school who have not yet embarked on their career. With a prestigious campus, faculty members who are recognized leaders in their field, and access to cutting edge research and technology, the university is poised to produce some of the best trained and best qualified nursing professionals in the nation.