I’m planning to major in nursing to become a nurse practitioner or nurse anesthetist in the US Military in the future. I am deciding between Raritan Valley Community College (I was told it takes me longer to become a nurse if I go to community college), Saint Peter’s University (accepted into the nursing school), Montclair State (did not get in nursing school), and I’m waiting on TCNJ. Unfortunately, I got rejected from the Rutgers School of Nursing which was very competitive. I can afford RVCC and Montclair; and Saint Peter’s gave me a very good scholarship. Any ideas on what’s good?
Are you a direct admit to Nursing anywhere?
Are you pre-Nursing at Raritan and Montclair, or in another college?
Or, at Raritan Valley, would you be preparing the RN?
If you’re a direct admit to the RN program at Raritan Valley, that’s what I’d do. This way after two years you can start working part time at a well paid job. You would then complete your BSN with money to spare, or you could continue straight to the BSN at Kean.
Calculate costs of Raritan (2 years) + Kean (even count 3 years there) v. St Peter’s.
Do you live near enough RVCC that you can commute or would you have to rent an apartment nearby?
Would you suggest Ramapo as well if I get accepted?
Is Ramapo direct admit or pre-admit?
Go to where you are a direct admit to the nursing school AND where you can get great critical care rotations or electives.
OP,
Depending on your situation (life situation, money situation), maybe the community college option is best, if it leads to RN standing. It is almost 50/50, the number of RNs who have a BSN and those who do not. Yes, the bachelor’s degree typically means a slightly higher starting salary, but not every woman/man can take the time to go to school for four years (or longer).
I’m surprised that you say that the community college option would take longer. I am no nursing expert (though my ex-mother-in-law was a nurse, so I do know about this field in general), but I was under the impression that some nursing programs at the CC level can be completed more quickly, especially if one attends the two summer semesters.
I’m sure you already know this, but RNs don’t need a four-year degree. As long as you take the rigorous sequence of courses that lead to you being able to sit for the NCLEX, you’ll be an RN (if you pass the exam, which has an 85% pass rate for first-time takers, though there are horror stories out there of people who have had to take the test five or six or more times).
Also, as much as I love this site, you might search out dedicated nursing forums. There are plenty of them out there, and the nurses there (and nurse hopefuls) can give you much more specific information, probably even about the institutions you are considering.
@Hapworth --OP wants to be a nurse anesthetist/CRNA. They will need a BSN and then a Masters degree. An associates degree + a post Bac BSN will take essentially the same amount of time give or take just a few months.
If OP can afford it and has a direct entry into a BSN program this is the optimal path.
Rowan has good BSN program and access to clinical rotations
What matters is whether the nursing program is direct entry. Ramapo has direct entry AFAIK and would be in that case the superior choice. Nursing at Ramapo is a point of pride and excellent.