California State University, Stanislaus was recently ranked 26th out of 442 nursing schools in “America’s Best Nursing School – West Region” list published by NurseJournal.org.

To determine the rankings, 20 metrics were grouped into categories that examine the quality, affordability, convenience, satisfaction, and value of each program.

“We believe that a good nursing school provides a quality education at a reasonable cost and offers education options that make it easier for today’s busy students to attend,” NurseJournal.org states on its website.

The nursing program at CSU Stanislaus, which is housed in the recently renovated Science 1 building, benefits from a high-tech simulation lab that boosts the University’s ability to educate future nurses. Nearly all nursing graduates from CSU Stanislaus find jobs within the six-county region that the University serves.

“I was thrilled to learn that we were ranked in the top 5 percent of nursing schools in the western states,” said Debra Tavernier, director of the School of Nursing. “We strive for excellence and we are proud of our high retention and completion rates.”

According to Tavernier, students who are admitted to the nursing program at CSU Stanislaus are hardworking and committed. The program’s small size allows faculty members to identify and assist struggling students early on. As a result, more than 94 percent of students who complete the program pass the national nursing examination on the first try.

“The work that we do in the School of Nursing is recognized by our community partners, who often comment that our graduates are ready to work on their first day,” Tavernier said. “They also praise our students’ ability to think critically, a highly prized skill in nursing.”

To view the complete rankings, visit http://nursejournal.org/articles/americas-best-nursing-schools.