<p>I haven’t read all the replys, but since I am a nurse I thought I’d put in my two cents.</p>
<p>As far as the school she goes to (or the nursing program), an RN is an RN and it doesn’t matter where she goes to school as far as the hospitals are concerned. If she is licensed, they are happy. </p>
<p>For that matter, for the average run of the mill job (non-management) they don’t care if she has a 2, 3 or 4 year degree either (for the most part). </p>
<p>What does matter for your daughter is the pass /fail rate after graduation for the nursing exam. This is one question you definitely should ask. And you will be surprised - a two year degree school might have a better pass rate than the BSN program. </p>
<p>As far as her future career, definitely a BSN is the way to go. And she shouldn’t stop there if she really wants to progress in management. I would suggest either a nurse practitioner program (masters) or masters in public health or even health care management. </p>
<p>But to do all that she doesn’t have to go to the most expensive private school . A state school with a good pass rate on the exam is perfectly fine. </p>
<p>It’s a great career. One other tip: when she graduates, she should take a job in either ICU or ER for the training. Both will hire new grads. It is MUCH harder to move into these areas after taking a job in a less demanding area. Even if she wants to concentrate in oncology, for example, she should do a couple of years in ICU or ER and then move into the other area. Labor and Delivery may be one exception, however, again - L&D is much more willing to take a nurse with ICU experience than ICU is willing to take a nurse with only L&D experience.</p>
<p>While an RN is an RN may be true in some parts of the country, it is definitely NOT true in the Boston area. Very few hospitals, if any, are hiring AD grads, and then only if they are already employees with a proven record or the program is directly affiliated with the hospital (ie former hospital schools now offering an AD). </p>
<p>Unless there is a particular reason to go the AD route for a new highschool grad (dying parents in a remote area with only AD programs), then a BSN is the way to go. I would not encourage someone to go to a program that does not guarantee placement in the nursing courses. Many programs have requirements of a 3.0 for 2 years prior to entering the specific nursing curriculum. However, they expect a high washout rate. You could get through the 2 years with a 3.0 only to find out there are only 50 slots and 100 people want them, all with a 3.0 or higher.</p>
<p>I agree that the NCLEX pass rate is very important and that there is no particular reason from a nursing education standpoint to pay for a very expensive college. Some of the best nursing programs are in state universities. </p>
<p>If a 2 year program is chosen, then the new RN needs to get into a BSN completion program. </p>
<p>There are geographic differences, but in this area it is very unusual to get an ICU or ED position as a new grad. Most expect previous med-surg experience.</p>
<p>I decided to become a nurse when I was 12 - my mother convinced me to take the 4 year degree program and it was the best decision I could have made. I had the benefit and enjoyed 4 years of university as well as graduating with a marketable degree. That was a real consideration when I saw many BSc and BA fgraduates from my year struggling to find jobs post graduation in a tough economy. I graduated in '81 from a Canadian univesity (Dalhousie) but would agree that it opened options - I have worked in Pediatrics, mental health, teaching and have landed in public health. In addition to a good base, it allows your daughter to go on an take a masters degree or look at other areas like nurse practitioner. Best decision I made was becoming a nurse - suits my personality and interests (not like my father who wanted me to be an engineer - I hated math).</p>
<p>It looks to me like the biggest part of your problem here is what you stated above: “It’s strange to me that a kid can be so driven and focused, though. I’d probably be a lot more comfortable with an “undecided” kid!” </p>
<p>I’ve got one of those kids too. Career goal burst onto the scene like Athena bursting out of the head of Zeus and promptly took over her life. She’s headed into a profession that I never would have expected for her, but that is perfect for her. Happydad is a near nervous wreck worrying about the reliability of her future. I have to play the calm, agreeable parent on this one even when I start to feel a bit twitchy myself. </p>
<p>Your daughter is going to be more than OK. The 4year BSN will be perfect for her. I want more like her around when I feel sick!</p>
<p>I’ve been a nurse practitioner for 24 years, agree with all who recommend the 4-year degree, though unfortunately it seems many nursing programs spend a great deal of time on pseudo-academic nonsense. With luck, your daughter will find one that concentrates on science and clinical skills. Just a note re the physician assistants; all the ones I’ve known (many) are doing hands-on work with sick people, not admin - maybe teaching on the job. Same for nurse practitioners - an occupation I very luckily fell into by chance.</p>