Visit our Complete Directory of Cleveland Nursing Schools & Programs!

by Erin Hasinger
Nursing Schools.com Staff Writer
August 28, 2006

Perched on the southern bank of the majestic Lake Erie, Cleveland used to be known for an economy based primarily on manufacturing. Now, however, Cleveland is a new city, one born out of a long renaissance that took the city from just another dot on the Rust Belt to a dazzling metropolis that thrives on the service industry, where finance, insurance, and healthcare organizations fuel the city's growth. Today, the Cleveland metro area is home to more than 2. 5 million residents and its growth shows no sign of slowing down.

Cleveland is a leader in the healthcare industry with its medical community employing more than 90,000. In fact, the city's largest employer is the renowned Cleveland Clinic, which was named one of the country's top 3 hospitals by US News and World Report. Other major employers of nurses in the area include the Cleveland Clinic Health System, University Hospitals Health System, MetroHealth System, St. Vincent Charity Hospital, and Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital. Students will find plenty of internship and clinical opportunities with these organizations, as well.

Nurses will find no shortage of employment opportunities in Cleveland. According to the Ohio Job and Family Services Office of Workforce Development, nurses can expect over 1,000 annual openings through 2014 in the Cleveland metropolitan area. Jobs for registered nurses are forecasted to have a 22.5% gain, while positions for licensed practical nurses are predicted to have an increase of 11.9% in the same time period. Demand is especially high for nurses who are specialized in adult and neonatal ICU, rehabilitation, and surgery. To combat the nationwide nursing shortage, many area hospitals offer extremely flexible schedules and other incentives to attract and retain quality nurses.

Educational opportunities abound in nursing here, as well. One unique option students have is the Accelerated Nursing Track offered by Cleveland State University in partnership with the Cleveland Clinic Health System.

Other schools include Case Western Reserve University http://fpb.case.edu/, which offers degrees at the bachelor, master, and doctoral level. Specialties include nurse anesthesia, acute care, women's health, and pediatrics, among others. Another option is the University of Phoenix, where registered nurses can earn a bachelor of science in nursing. Nursing programs are also available at Cuyahoga Community College and the Central School of Practical Nursing.

Financial aid options for nursing students in Cleveland include traditional scholarship options, such as the Ruth Alice Jacobs Roe Memorial Scholarship, which awards $700 each to two financially-needy nursing students each year. Case Western Reserve University awards scholarships to virtually every nursing student each year to help off-set tuition costs.

Another option is tuition assistance programs, such as that offered by the Cleveland Clinic. The Nursing Student Tuition Assistance program provides tuition reimbursement in exchange for a work commitment at the clinic upon graduation. Students must work one year in exchange for every $5,000 awarded. A maximum of $10,000 is awarded per academic year.

Cleveland offers prospective nursing students a revitalized downtown corridor, limitless entertainment and recreation options, a promising job outlook, and a first-class health care industry. Educational and employment options are plentiful, providing endless opportunities for students with varying objectives and interests.