 Relocating for nursing school can be a smart move if there aren’t any nursing schools near you that fit your needs. Before relocating for school, take some time to learn about your new city, check out neighborhoods near school and secure housing.
Your area might not offer the right nursing school for you, so consider relocating. If you already hold a non‑nursing degree or existing college credits, an accelerated program in a new city could offer the lifestyle and career opportunities you are looking for. Relocating for school takes careful planning but can be worthwhile.
Notre Dame of Maryland University in Baltimore welcomes out‑of‑state students. Our Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program lets you graduate in as few as 15 months after you complete any prerequisites. After you graduate, you can take the NCLEX‑RN to earn your nursing license.
Relocating for nursing school takes more preparation than attending a nearby program. You’ll need to learn about your new city, secure housing and build a support network.
Tips for Relocating for Nursing School
First, choose the nursing school and city that fit your needs. If you get distracted easily, a quiet environment can help you focus. If you prefer having many activities during downtime, a city setting may be better.
Learn how to choose a nursing school.
Notre Dame offers the ideal blend. Our main campus in Baltimore, Maryland, is where students attend labs and classes for in‑person coursework. If you enroll in online classes, you would complete labs at the NDMU Elkridge Learning Site just outside Baltimore.
After choosing a nursing school, you’ll need to secure housing and familiarize yourself with your new city.
1. Find Housing
Choose housing near our Baltimore campus or the NDMU Elkridge Learning Site, depending on your learning modality. Living close to labs reduces your commute and gives you more time to study.
There are a few great neighborhoods near the NDMU Elkridge Learning Site that make it easy to find a place to call home, including:
- Columbia
- Elkridge
- Ellicott City
- Ilchester
- North Laurel
If you plan to commute, learn about transportation options and traffic. Even though coursework for our hybrid ABSN program is completed online, you still need to travel for skills and simulation labs.
In the Metro Baltimore area, multiple commuter bus stops and several metro train stations are within walking distance of our site. If you’re commuting by car, the NDMU Elkridge Learning Site is accessible via Interstate 95. The average commute in Baltimore is about 30 minutes.
2. Get to Know Your New City
Nicknamed “Charm City,” Baltimore is filled with hidden gems scattered across its unique neighborhoods. It is also an ideal place to earn your BSN because it positions you in a bustling health care hub.
Baltimore is internationally known for its medical facilities, making it an attractive place for those seeking to work in its growing health care sector.
The city’s health care job market is booming. Notre Dame students complete clinical experiences at top health care facilities in the area, including:
- Anne Arundel Medical Center
- Franklin Square Hospital
- Johns Hopkins Bayview
- Johns Hopkins Hospital
- Mercy Medical Center
- St. Agnes Hospital/Ascension Health
- University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC)
Many nursing students later work at the same health care facilities where they completed clinical learning experiences.
When you’re not at labs or clinicals, Baltimore is a vibrant city with lots to explore and outstanding food. Proximity to Chesapeake Bay means good seafood such as fresh Maryland crab, oysters, and more. If seafood doesn’t appeal to you, the city has many other award-winning restaurants and foodie hot spots.
Discover what you can expect in nursing school, including labs and clinicals.
3. Explore Cultural Attractions
If you're moving with your family, Baltimore has plenty of family-friendly attractions. Here are a few top-rated options for a day out:
- National Aquarium: Have some under‑the‑sea fun seeing a variety of fish, penguins and other critters.
- Port Discovery Children’s Museum: Take the kids for interactive educational displays and installations.
- Professional sports teams: Enjoy the competitive spirit at a pro sports game. In Baltimore, we root for the Ravens, Orioles, and Blast.
Even if you aren’t relocating for nursing school with kids, Baltimore has plenty to see and do. The area offers a wide range of cultural attractions such as museums, historic sites, breweries and outdoor destinations.
4. Connect With Your Cohort
Your nursing cohort is the small group of students who move through the program together with the same start date and anticipated graduation date.
Nursing cohorts often become close‑knit, forming friendships that can last a lifetime. Your fellow cohort members understand the challenges you face and can support you as you support them. Building these relationships can make relocating for school easier, and you can form study groups with your new friends.
Ready to Relocate for Nursing School?
You can earn your BSN in or near Baltimore and enjoy all the city has to offer. Notre Dame of Maryland University provides faculty mentoring, tutoring and Academic Success Coaches to support you. Choose online or on‑campus coursework and graduate in as few as 15 months.
Request info today to get started.