The size of a school’s student body can tell prospective nursing students a great deal about the school. With over 22,000 nurses employed in New Mexico, nursing schools must offer a variety of programs and degrees in order to meet demand. These range from two-year programs, such as an associate’s degree in nursing or certificate in licensed practical nursing, to four-year degrees and more advanced graduate-level programs.
Large public universities often come with a very large student body, usually numbering in the thousands. Students from public universities enjoy an affordable tuition rate due to public funding, as well as a great variety of training programs, research opportunities, and well-known faculty members. On the other hand, small private schools are often a suitable option for those seeking small class sizes with a heavy emphasis on classroom interaction, individualized training, and a small faculty-to-student ratio. While sometimes not offering as much curricular breadth as typical public universities, private schools prioritize in-depth learning, where almost every student can be given individual attention and guidance by faculty members.
For example, Eastern New Mexico University is a very large public university that offers a wide array of programs, ranging from a certificate in nursing assistant to a master’s degree in nursing education. By comparison, Grand Canyon University, a private school, focuses its educational resources on the bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree program. These large differences result in tremendous diversity among graduates, who are then able to serve the various demands of the state’s healthcare industry.
Find your ideal nursing school among all of the available options in New Mexico by perusing our attached list of the state’s nursing programs.