When I was trying to choose the best nursing school to attend, I found plenty of information on the big-name schools but not much on the new and small nursing schools.
Luckily that has now changed as you can find lots of info on any nursing school you can think of…
However, as you synthesize all the information, your choice should be based on:
You don’t have to go through all that… Make sure you gather as much information as you need from nursing school reviews and weigh your preferences and needs.
To start you off, here is the information you need on Graham Hospital School of Nursing.
In 1909, Alice and Caroline Graham gifted the Canton community with the original building housing the Graham hospital and school…
The two facilities launched the same year in honor of the girl’s parents to better serve the community’s health demands.
The school, which directly links to Graham Hospital, attracted nursing students from all over Chicago… The first graduation took place in 1913, where six nurses graduated.
In 1923, the school was recognized by the Illinois Department of Registration and Education, and nurses were allowed to take the Illinois State Board exam to become registered nurses.
Over the years, the institution has transformed, invested in technology, and expanded the programs it offers…
The institution’s
To provide compassionate, quality health services to the people and communities, we serve responsibly and charitably.
The program the school offers is a three-year diploma…Key to note, the institution is not a college and doesn’t confer degrees…
You only earn a diploma in nursing, but it qualifies you to become an RN, just like BSN and ADN programs.
Classes start in August of every year through the fall and spring semesters. However, the school doesn’t have spring semester admissions…
The school is accredited by the Illinois State Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
ACEN is only given to educational institutions that meet strict quality standards set by these accrediting bodies.
It means that the Graham Hospital School of Nursing meets the academic demands of the State of Illinois.
At the same time, students get an education to meet national standards…
Graduates with a diploma from Graham hospital school of nursing qualify for licensure as an RN or RNSA in Illinois provided that they also take the NCLEX licensing exam.
To apply for admission, you must attend a booked admission interview and provide:
Before the final admission, you have to undergo a criminal background check and a drug screening at the Graham Hospital…
Deadlines for submitting the application materials are November 15th for the December review and February 15th for the March review…
Usually, applicants are notified of their admission status in writing after the review date in March and December.
Not having the required documents and information at hand disqualifies you from the admission process…
However, your application can be rolled over to the next available admission date, but you’ll have to reapply afresh.
But even when placed on the waiting list, you’re not guaranteed admission…The school accepts about 19 students but usually enrolls an average of 14 undergraduate students.
Currently, the school has a 100% acceptance rate…
Because the institute has a low student-to-faculty ratio, students get more one-on-one time with the nurse educators.
It means that they can learn in a fast-paced environment where there is no struggle to access their teachers or mentors…
Most of the instructors have prior experience in actual practice before becoming faculty members…
The students get practical experience from the Graham Hospital and other local healthcare agencies, both in hospital and community settings.
You’re required to have a minimum of 5 C-CREDITS in addition to your English and Mathematics prerequisites before admission…
If returning to school after some years, you may be required to take a biology class before admission…
Because statistics is a mandatory course in the program, some students must take a math course before continuing with Statistics.
However, you have to factor in extra costs for books, uniforms, and other learning materials. If you’re living off-campus, you might have to incur added charges in transportation…
Most of the students at the school have financial aid. You can apply for this at the FAFSA website.
Rating 5 out of 5
Graham Hospital School of Nursing is a face-to-face in-class program. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the school had to adjust to accommodate and transition to an all-online program. The instructors were very flexible, and the online transition was very well established. Although students missed out on the hands-on clinical experience, the educational portion included case studies and material to help students understand their nursing roles. Overall my online experience was great.
Rating 5 out of 5
I would say it’s an excellent hospital-based program that offers real-world clinical experience. Instructors are always available to help with education-related issues. The library is up-to-date with the most recent evidence-based textbooks and reference material.
Rating 4 out of 5
The best school with the best instructors and education!!
Rating 5 out of 5
I love this school and the instructors! Unlike other schools, they want you to succeed and will help you reach your goals.
Rating 5 out of 5
I am a 2005 graduate of GHSON. This program thoroughly prepared me to move on to a Bachelors’ program. I was also fully prepared to work at any facility and any unit. The clinical experience and support we received as students were the best I’ve seen.
I am now the labor and delivery clinical educator at OSF St Francis and maternal flight coordinator for our maternal transport team.
I think back many times to what has been taught to me by Graham SON. I would change nothing about my education at GHSON other than I would have started sooner. 💜
Rate 5 out of 5
A graduate of the 2017 class, I strongly recommend this school. It is a very traditional program with lots of hands-on.
The doctors I work with are amazed at the amount of knowledge I obtained during my education, and I am grateful to every instructor there for teaching me all things that I needed to know!
Rate 2 out of 5
Fake school
From these reviews, it’s apparent that most of the students have a satisfactory experience with the school. Reviews older than a decade and recent ones all have almost a similar message.
However, because people’s expectations are different negative reviews are naturally still evident.
As you will realize, the school’s operations were also affected by the Covid 19 pandemic altering everyday course work and class programs…
It meant less practical, clinical training and more online classes…However, this was not an isolated case, as many institutions at the time had to close down or shift to online operations.
It’s also important to note that, as the school states, meeting the minimum requirements doesn’t automatically guarantee admission…
It means that you have to prepare yourself adequately for the entrance test and the nursing program.
Doing so will give you the confidence, preparedness, and drive to pass and get accepted.
To avoid multiple rejections and stress even after admission, think of nursing program supplemental education tools.
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