Mexico is a country located in southern North America and is the third-largest among the countries in Latin America. It is a country that houses a population in the extremes of wealth. A surge in enrollment rates to tertiary education was reported from 2000 to 2017, with the government sector still pushing to increase education participation. The language of instruction in educational institutions is generally in Spanish, however, there is an increasing trend of using English as the language of instruction in some tertiary education institutions.
Nursing education in Mexico is a popular course and is offered in almost all tertiary institutions. The first nurse training in the country was conducted by nurses from the United States and Germany in the 1900s, with the training turned into a 3-year program in 1929. In 1935, midwifery training was required to proceed to nurse education. Bachelor in Nursing was offered in the country in 1967, and graduate studies in Nursing in 2002.
There is a low number of nursing professionals in the country, and in response to this shortage, the Better Health Programme Mexico (BHPMx) funded by UKaid was established. This program first worked in collaboration with the National School of Nursing and Obstetrics of the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico to outline the barriers and restraints that the country is facing in the interim of nursing education. It also worked together with various nursing education providers to fund the education of students in the diploma, undergraduate, and graduate levels.
Education in Mexico is 3-4 years in an undergraduate course, 2 years in Master’s, and 3 years in doctorate. Listed below are some of the best nursing schools in Mexico.
Top Nursing Schools in Mexico
1. University of Juarez Autonoma de Tabasco
The University of Juarez Autonoma de Tabasco is a public institution in the city of Villahermosa, Tabasco. The University was established in 1958 from its previous name – Juarez Institute – founded in 1879 and was flocked by students for education over the years; in the same year, the program in nursing was also offered. It has various campuses all over Mexico: Jalapa, Jalpa de Mendez, Comalcalco, Cunduacan, Teapa, and Emiliano Zapata.
The university has a selective admission that requires applicants to pass the entrance exam and screening before going through the admission process. Its nursing program is offered under the Multidisciplinary Faculty of Comalcalco, in the undergraduate, that is taken in 3 years, and Master’s level. The language of instruction is in Spanish or Castilian, thus, international students are required to have proficiency in the language. The average tuition for the Nursing program is US$1,800 per year.
2. The Autonomous University of the State of Hidalgo
The Autonomous University of the State of Hidalgo is one of the top-ranking universities in the country that was founded in 1869 as the Literary Institute and School of Arts and Crafts in Pachuca. It is one of the oldest and largest universities in Hidalgo, and the best in Mexico for postgraduate studies. It has established various campuses including Actupan, Apan, Atotonilco de Tula, Ciudad Sahagun, Huejutla de Reyes, Minderal del Monte, Tepeji del Río, Tizayuca, Tlahuelilpan, Tulancingo, and Zimapan.
Its nursing program is offered under the University Center for Health Science (CUCS) in a 3-year program that costs an average of US$1,125 per year. The Autonomous University of the State of Hidalgo is among the best nursing schools in Mexico and participates in exchange programs with other institutions outside of the country.
3. National Autonomous University of Mexico
The National Autonomous University of Mexico is recognized all over the world as an excellent University well-known for its contribution to research and its educational excellence. Its nursing program is offered under the National School of Nursing and Obstetrics that is focused on providing education to prepare present students for the profession and continuing education for working professionals. Master’s in nursing is available in various specialties that are integrated with research and practical education. Undergraduate nursing is also offered via distance learning. Information on fees may be available upon request on the University website.
4. Universidad Panamericana
Universidad Panamericana was founded in 1967 that ultimately panned out to offer a variety of disciplines in its 4 campuses: Mexico City, Guadalajara, Aguascalientes, and Santa Fe. The Mexico City campus houses programs on Health Sciences wherein the nursing program is offered.
As one of the top-notch nursing schools in Mexico, Universidad Panamericana’s school of nursing is equipped with laboratories and facilities to enhance the learnings and skills of its students. Some of its facilities include an amphitheater for cadaver dissection, a microscopy room, an operating room, and laboratories for teaching and research. The school of nursing also works in partnership with renowned hospitals in the country and abroad for clinical placements. Exchange program with participating universities abroad is also offered to its students.
5. University of Guadalajara
The University of Guadalajara is an important resource for the workforce in various industries in the country. It has 2 other educational systems: the Virtual University and the High School Education System. It was founded in 1791 as the Real Universidad de Guadalajara offering education in medicine and law. Due to conflicts with the different factions of the government, the university was closed and reopened multiple times in the 1800s. In the late 1900s, the university operated as a democratic and nationalist institution, updating its curriculum and reforming its faculties and colleges into university centers, resulting in the formation of a university network that covered the whole state of Jalisco.
The University of Guadalajara is known as one of the best nursing schools in Mexico. Its nursing program is offered under the University Center for Health Science offered in 3 different locations in Guadalajara. It is associated with various universities both within the country and abroad for exchange programs and clinical placement.
Hopefully, this article on the best nursing schools in Mexico was helpful. Make sure to also check out our Available Programs for International Students to learn more about studying abroad.
