Hello. I was wondering what feedback you all have about SUNY Plattsburgh for nursing? Any and all feedback welcome
Two of my children went to Plattsburgh, though neither studied nursing. D’s best friend did and she has had an excellent career as a travel nurse since her graduation about 5 years ago. A friend’s D went there as well and has been working at a local hospital since graduation.
It’s a direct admit program, which is worth its weight.
The location is lovely and the school is a good value.
@techmom99 Thank you for your feedback!
The price tag makes it worth it. However, I disagree that the location is lovely. IMO, isolated and economically depressed area is how I would describe it. But again, the cost is so reasonable within the context of higher education and the students I know who have gone there seem to love it and have a good undergrad experience.
@Empireapple Thanks for your comment. Is it true there is an unsafe area bordering near one side of campus? Is Plattsburg overall isolated and dreary or just outside of campus?
I don’t think you have to worry about unsafe areas. Most places have areas that aren’t that great and let’s face it…anything can happen anywhere. Even in the nicest neighborhoods. I think your question about the school if it’s isolated or dreary can only be answered if you visit it. I know so many who love it there. For others, it wouldn’t be a fit. Take the drive up the north to see it. It’s very easy to get to. Good luck!
@Empireapple Thanks again
@Empireapple and @readthetealeaves -
Both of my children enjoyed their time at Plattsburgh and did not find it particularly unsafe. There are depressed, drug areas (as there are 20 minutes away from my upper middle class LI neighborhood), but the campus, which is actually not isolated and is in the middle of the city, is well-maintained. My D was an RA and never told me of any incidents that would have made me question the kids’ safety up there. I also read the police blotter and local papers on a regular basis. The Amtrak station is five minutes from campus. There is a cute downtown area that is walkable from the campus. My D volunteered at a food co-op and frequented many cute thrift shops there. The school is near Lake Champlain and across the lake from Burlington (there’s a ferry). Montreal is less than one hour away.
I think that the school and the nursing and education program s in particular are really worth looking into.
@techmom99 Thanks for the update on Plattsburgh, it sheds light on the atmosphere there. I am glad your kids enjoyed their time there. It seems like a nice campus.We will definitely keep checking it out
Hi @readthetealeaves, Other than having a poor reputation and there being a lot of crime evidence from Plattsburgh City Police Dept., I would say the most important criterion for choosing a nursing program is where will you get work after you get the degree? This goes bad to school reputation and internships. Besides the numerous problems of crime, over $8 million dept, and many students leaving, Plattsburgh State University have trouble staffing the nursing program with actual registered nurses with credentials to teach (most if not all at Plattsburgh nursing program do not have a required Phd or MD). They also operate a BSRN at the branch campus in Queensbury but there is no one there qualified, as their only faculty left to take a better offer at Sienna. Likewise, at the main campus, the qualified Nursing faculty have left to take better offers elsewhere, leaving the rest there.
You can research where they place students. There are no or few placements. Employers do not want to deal with Plattsburgh State University because of their poor reputation, as it can impact public perception and stock prices. There are numerous complaints against Plattsburgh State University, including court cases.
Personally I would say stay away from there and pick a university that has qualified teachers and guaranteed placements in hospitals. Would you want to work in an aged care facility in Plattsburgh where it snows and is cold most of the year - that is even if you could get a degree from them and get hired? Or would you rather work in a contemporary hospital with a solid union, training updates, good salary with benefits and upward career opportunities?
If you are somehow stuck in the North or like Plattsburgh, I might suggest to looking at Vermont. Vermont have taken over the hospital facilities in Plattsburgh and they have great nursing programs in Burlington and other VT colleges.
As per other posters here, there are some good nursing schools in New York CIty. All SUNY tuition is about the same so why go to a bad school like Plattsburgh State University, waste four years of your life, throw your money away, in instead of making a lower risk investment in a good school?
I would not believe moms or pops version of a university. Do the research yourself and visit there yourself without a tour guide to see how bad it really is in Plattsburgh State University and then visit other schools, compare. Decide.
@Larshans I did some more research after I posted back in October and we decided to move on to other options