Nursing School at Private University or UC?

Hello, I understand that my decision of attendance would ultimately be based on the type of student I am. I am conflicted between choosing to commit to nursing school at a small, private university or if I should attend nursing school at a large public research institution? Should I be looking at whether or not it would be hard to enroll in classes, or the student-teacher ratio? Money is an issue, and housing might become a problem later down the road, but I am not sure if I might have better networking opportunities if I attend nursing school in the city. Any insight is greatly appreciated! Thank you!

Consider the following at each school:

Cost? Debt?

Direct admission to nursing major or competitive after you enroll?

GPA and other requirements to stay in the nursing major?

NCLEX pass rates (consider the context of in-major entering student stats and the in-major completion rate)?

Sadly most employers couldn’t care less where someone when to nursing school except for academic positions. Nurses from community college type programs get paid just as much as students from Penn. From a financial perspective it makes no sense to spend any more getting an RN that you need to unless you are interested in an academic or administrative career. For the most part where you go to med school is also unimportant for privAte practice doctors.

^^^^^^ This^^^^^^^, the area of country I live in. RNs w/o BSN make 50 cents less a hour than a BSN RN in the hospitals. No one cares where you went to school.

Cheapest option for sure.

Why “sadly?” There’s an outside accrediting body that determines a beginning competency.

Since money is an issue what is the net cost of your different choices?
And do you have a direct admit to the nursing program at all of your choices?

Many nursing programs have the same type of curriculum. The differences might be in where you do your clinicals and how far you have to travel to do that. Also look at the NCLEX pass rates. The other stuff you mention - quality of life/education stuff - is also worth looking at, but a lot of the curriculum should be similar.

Employers might not completely care what particular institution you attended (except for some geographic issues) but they will care if you have a BSN. A BSN positions you better for the long-term job market, and it sounds like you are interested in a BSN.

I would always advise a direct admit program to the school with a high NCLEX rate that is most affordable to you and your family.

Physician here.

Get that BSN and not just the RN degree. It could make a difference years from now if not presently. You may not think you want the BSN now but years later not having that could limit advancement opportunities you don’t care about now. You want the school with good pass rates for licensure. No reason to spend more (go into more debt) for a private school if the cheaper school gives as good an education in nursing.

You are getting a college education as well as training to be a nurse (RN). Part of your choice will involve the overall academic fit of the school. Yes, it can be competitive to get into nursing programs within universities, but if you are a good student you should have the confidence that you will be accepted. Yes, a direct admit program is more ideal but do not let that be the deciding factor if you feel you can be admitted to the less costly/better program.

Nurses who pass their licensure exams have great employment opportunities. Those with better clinical experiences may do well the first year or two compared to those who got the more academic but less clinical experiences but after that it doesn’t matter where you went to school.

The most important factor to look at is the pass rate on the licensure exams- minor differences won’t matter but huge ones may mean you will be taught what you need to know at one place over another.

Needing to leave home can be a good thing, do not let that be the determining factor in your choice. Consider more than the two possibilities you mention here. A different state (public) U that is less prestigious could be a better choice than either the research place or private U.

Agree that my friends who have BSN degrees have a LOT better promotion opportunities than nurses that have “just” RN or LPN degrees. They are the ones that are selected for certification programs and advancement, the ones that go on the management and supervisory roles instead of staying at what they are originally hired at. Graduating with as little debt as possible is always a VERY good idea.