You’ve just made a big decision: You want to be a nurse. Wise choice! You’re pursuing a path toward a rewarding profession that’s in high demand. Your next step? Begin researching nursing schools to find the best place to turn that plan into action.
You might think the most logical place to search for nursing schools would be where you currently live. That’s a great place to start, but in not looking outside your general vicinity, you could be unnecessarily delaying your nursing career and missing out on a top-quality nursing education.
We understand the actual process of branching out to a new area to begin a new career path can seem overwhelming. At Utica University, we are here to help with the transition to our 16-month Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program. Below we outline what you can expect when relocating for nursing school to one of our site locations in Syracuse or Albany, New York — and ultimately why it could make the most sense if you want to be a nurse quickly.
1. More Quality Options
The first advantage of relocating for nursing school is that it opens the door to far more high-quality nursing schools that you’d get if you just looked locally. You can opt for programs that have a long-standing reputation and are most aligned with your desired timeline and learning style.
One question we hear often from students considering a move near one of our two site locations in New York: Will I be able to work as a nurse in my home state? The answer: Yes! Earning your nursing degree from Utica University grants you the opportunity to pursue a nursing career anywhere you choose.
You can attend our accelerated nursing school at any of our site locations and complete the NCLEX in the state in which you choose to obtain a license once you graduate. And with our consistently high NCLEX pass rates, you can expect to take the exam with confidence.
2. No Nursing School Waitlists
Because a widespread nursing shortage exists across the country, many nursing school programs have waitlists. That may mean your best option for nursing school is not where you currently live if you want to start your nursing degree soon.
It may make more sense to relocate to New York to get your nursing license through the Utica University Accelerated B.S. in Nursing program. Even though so many schools have waitlists, Utica University currently doesn’t because it offers three start dates a year. That means that not only are you able to earn your degree in as little as 16 months, but you can also start working toward it on a timeline that fits your personal goals.
3. A Program That Prioritizes YOU
Attending accelerated nursing school is a monumental undertaking in itself — that’s why we have a dedicated team in place to help you stay focused on the task and to not worry about the logistics of moving.
Here’s who you can expect to be in your corner as you transition to a new area for accelerated nursing school at Utica University: Your admissions representative can answer any questions or concerns you may have about relocating for nursing school and make sure you are fully committed before making the big move. They can also put you in contact with fellow members of your cohort so you can find a few familiar faces before classes begin. Additionally, your admissions representative can help you work with apartment leasing agents to find available housing.
- Upon acceptance to the program, we can point you in the direction of a relocation specialist who can help you find a place to live and plan your move (more on this resource in a minute).
- As an ABSN student, you will also have access to a success coach, who can help you stay on track once you’re accepted into our program.
Utica University’s ABSN Program: What to Expect
Even though Utica’s ABSN program is online-based, it still requires your physical presence at our site location. If you live more than 60 to 75 miles away from our accelerated nursing site, we highly recommend relocating to maximize your time. Below are three in-person aspects of our program that become easier to incorporate into your schedule if you relocate for the Utica University ABSN program:
4. On-site Labs and Proctored Exams
Time spent in our skills and simulation labs reinforce what you learn during the online didactic portion of our curriculum. In addition to hands-on clinical experience, it’s one of the main ways to practice the skills you’ll use on the job as a nurse every day.
Our ABSN students spend three hours per session every week in our on-site labs, but those who have had the most success in the past have taken advantage of open lab hours to practice until perfect.
You must also complete proctored skills and written exams at our program site — you don’t have the option of taking these online.
5. Clinical Rotations Local to the ABSN Site
As a Utica University ABSN student, you have the unique opportunity to begin clinical rotations as early as seven to eight weeks into the program, which will help you overcome any first-day clinical fears that you may have early on in your nursing school experience.
We partner with top area hospitals around Syracuse and Albany, so it makes sense that you should live within driving distance of one of our program sites. Living close to one of our program sites not only helps reduce your commute time; it helps maximize your study time, too.
6. A Streamlined Moving Process
We try to make the process as seamless as possible. Once you’re accepted and have a program start date in mind, we can provide you with a list of available housing options and put you in touch with resources to help you map out your move.
With the help of local real estate company, Vintage Management, we’ve developed a special relocation program for students enrolled in our Accelerated B.S. in Nursing program in New York to help get them moving on their nursing education.
Through the program, students have access to a wide variety of apartment styles in the Liverpool-Syracuse area. Just visit the Vintage Management website, and you’ll find everything the company has to offer. As an ABSN student at Utica University, you also have access to the following perks:
Dedicated Relocation Specialist
A relocation specialist is available to help you identify apartments that meet your criteria as well as schedule appointments for you to check out these living spaces (even during off-hours).
Pre-approved Rental Application
A pre-approved rental application helps you secure your new apartment as fast as possible.
16-month Lease
Most rental properties have only 12- or 24-month leases, but our program is 16 months. And while the ability to graduate on an accelerated timeline can be a great option, it can make looking for apartments challenging. So, what should you do? For students enrolled in our New York-based ABSN program, we’ve entered into an agreement with several apartment complexes in the Syracuse area to provide 16-month leases to students of the ABSN program.
Convenient Locations
Many of the apartments available through Vintage Management are located near our ABSN program site, meaning you don’t have to travel far for your nursing skills and simulation labs.
Perks of Relocating to Syracuse
Aside from relocating for a premium nursing education, living in Syracuse has many other benefits. Overall, Syracuse is a safe place to live, which is often a priority for students who have children. Also, the cost of living is below the national average, making it an affordable move. Specifically, housing costs are low in comparison to the national and New York averages.
While there are many practical reasons to live in Syracuse, you’ll also find it a fun place to be. With a plethora of restaurants, museums, theatres and sporting events to explore, you can find ways to keep yourself busy.
Perks of Relocating to Albany
While Albany does have a higher cost of living than Syracuse, there are many other benefits to living there. Whether you are a city dweller or an outdoor adventurer, you’ll find something to do around Albany. You’ll have access to a variety of sporting events, restaurants and live music, and you’ll also be close to several parks, nature reserves and hiking trails. And while it is far enough from New York City to avoid the hustle and bustle, it is close enough to take a weekend trip to explore the Big Apple.
Ready to Relocate?
Now that you have a better idea of what to expect when relocating for nursing school, it’s time to make your first move on the path toward a new career as a nurse! Embarking on a new professional path and moving to a new area may require you to step out of your comfort zone, but it’s important to keep your end goal in mind.
At the end of your nursing school journey is a rewarding career that allows you to care for others. Take the first step toward that goal by contacting our admissions team today.
