Having a really hard time deciding between the Nursing School at Boston College vs. Villanova University. Clinical locations and job placements are big factors, but so is overall program. Can’t tell which one has a stronger program? Villanova seems to do a great job with communicating about its program, but maybe Boston College is just strong? Thank you for any direction you can give!
The Villanova program requires more chemistry, so if that is not your favorite subject then Boston College may be a better option. Both are great programs and you can not go wrong with whichever you choose. Have you visited both campuses?
My daughter was faced with the same decision, chose BC and never regretted it. So, I’m biased toward BC, hands down.
The big advantage that BC has is the number of top hospitals in Boston for placements and clinicals. In addition, your best shot at a first job is with a hospital is where they’ve seen you work. My D in fact did get a job at Children’s Hospital upon graduation. Even if you later move, having that on your resume will open doors elsewhere. The BC degree is highly respected in the field and will also serve you well.
Another factor to consider is where you want to live after graduation. Because there’s a good chance that you’ll get a first job near your college, you’ll be well served to factor that into your decision now.
Finally, I suggest that you compare graduate school options at the 2 schools. Your career opportunities will be enhanced by getting certified as a Nurse Practitioner or by getting another advanced degree. You can do graduate work later, but the likelihood of doing so decrease as time goes on. BC has excellent graduate school programs, but IDK about Villanova. Obviously you can do graduate school anywhere, but your opportunities will be greatest where you were an undergrad and your familiarity with area hospitals will make for a seamless transition.
Best of luck with your decision.
Thank you so much!! I really appreciate your taking the time to write such a detailed response. It’s such a difficult time to make such a big decision. THANK YOU!
Yes–and really impressed by both. The Villanova Nursing program does a fantastic job with communicating their nursing program. Boston College focuses more on promoting the larger college in general, but we know the nursing program is also strong but just don’t feel like I really know it as well.
Where do you want to work after graduation? BC will offer better access to the Boston area hospitals while Villanova to the Philly/NY area hospitals. Otherwise both programs are excellent.
You’re welcome. I understand the stress. It’s not helped by all the other stresses we’re going through otherwise. The good news is that you have a choice between two top notch nursing schools. Top notch. Both.
Are you from New Jersey? If so, VU is certainly easier for back and forth between home and school. That’s a plus.
Boston has 4 major research hospitals in the Longwood Medical Area: Dana Farber Cancer Center, Brigham & Women’s, Beth Israel/Deaconess, and Boston Children’s. All are Harvard affiliated. BC nursing students are fortunate that they are able to get placements at these world class hospitals. So, there are always lots of BC students commuting to that complex for various clinicals. This makes logistics a lot easier for getting to and from placements as kids car pool or find other ways to travel in groups even if they’re not in the exact same buildings. Mass General is another world class hospital at which BC students get placed, but it is in a different part of the city. It is a very big hospital, so there is likely a group of students going there as well.
I suggest contacting Admissions at both colleges and request that they put you in touch with nursing students to talk to and ask questions as well as a representative of the Nursing School. I would specifically ask about the ease or difficulty of getting to and from placements. Train? Car pool? College van? Other? How many minutes does it take? How safe are the neighborhoods? Do you need a car?
I would also ask for the names of the hospitals where most students are placed. What are the numbers of students placed at each hospital? Check out those hospitals. The best hospitals will train you in best practices. You want to learn what is cutting edge, what professionals do when provided with the best equipment and the best staffing. You can always learn to compromise and adjust if you find yourself working where that’s not the case, but you’ll never know what to aspire to if you’ve never been exposed to it.
Knowing this kind of information will make a difference in your daily life and real world experience in college. It will make a difference in your professional life later on.
Best of luck in your decision. You really can’t go wrong with either one. You’re lucky to have a choice. Congratulations for having achieved such high goals.
However, this degree of breadth may reflect Villanova’s excellent reputation in nursing.
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Does Boston college require high school physics to get into nursing program?