My D has been admitted to both UCONN and PITT nursing programs. We are trying to make a tough choice between the two. We are in Mass so both are OOS tuitions and similar costs. Obviously UCONN is closer so that makes things easier. We know PITT nursing is ranked higher and seems like the logical choice with so many UPMC’s on campus. The program was very impressive when we visited. My wife and I are leaning that way. Does anyone have any insight into the UCONN program?
I think the 3rd and 4th year clinicals are in Farmington. Approx a 40 min drive away. I assume they have transportation to and from? Just curious if anyone has some advice or knowledge of the UCONN program?
If costs are equal then I’d suggest Pitt is a clear front runner. The clinical time can be done in a variety of settings but, yes, it is not uncommon to have nursing students do their clinical time in Farmington. UConn Health is a small (approximately 150 bed) suburban hospital that is rarely, if ever, at capacity. It is not a level 1 trauma center, and many of the most acute cases bypass it for that reason. There is no pediatric service at UConn Health. The facility is very publicly seeking a private partnership that may alter its relationship with UConn. Hartford and St Francis offer more opportunity but are a good hour from Storrs. Also, UConn is facing $140+ million in budget cuts over the next two years, and its naive to think that won’t impact academic programs. Pitt’s urban location and its affiliation with a world class level 1 trauma center provide fertile training ground for aspiring nurses.
@RelocatedYankee
Thanks for the info. Good to know about the huge budget cut. That is very big. I’ve read that classes will be larger and there will be fewer professors because of this. That’s a ton of money to cut in just 2 years. All public schools seem to have budget woes but not like this one.
My D is deciding between UMich and Pitt. Pitt gave her a scholarship with guarranteed employment at UPMC for three years following. UMich is instate, I’m alumni and ranks higher than Pitt. Folks in nursing field, does school rank really matter for your career? What about experiences…both are top programs but ones offering $$. Tough decisions because I’m all about MGoBlue and appreciate the Michigan Alumni network globally…Pitt alumni network?
@Melgaye 2 great schools to choose from! Congrats! How much did PITT offer? PITTS tuition is $50k+ for OOS. Did they offer enough to beat Michigans instate?
Yes it looking like full tuition.
@Melgaye Welcome to PITT! That’s unbelievable.
Can’t turn down a free ride at one of the top nursing programs in the country. 5 UPMC’s all with in walking distance or a short 5 min bus ride away makes it a no brainer to me. I’d reach out to admissions if no one responds to this thread about PITT alumni networking. Or start another thread about it and I’m sure you will get the answers your need. Congrats to your D. You must be so proud:))
@Melgaye The Chancellor scholarship at Pitt is a BIG DEAL… I would not turn that down in order to go to Michigan, especially in nursing. Looks like an easy decision to me. Pitts has one of the top nursing programs and with all the hospitals around the school and the city, its will open a world of opportunity. Surprising that OSU with all the opportunities that it offers does not have a direct program that would be able to attract some of these well rounded students… They could be going choosing OSU but instead they end up at other schools.
Thanks and I appreciate the humor. She will never attend OSU scholarship or not. Lol!
@Setter4life --this isn’t a Chancellor’s scholarship. Interview notifications for that just went out last week so there is no way someone could’ve already been awarded Chancellor’s.
@Melgaye I’m an RN and FNP. Rank doesn’t matter at all in nursing. I mean obviously you don’t want to go to a school with lousy clinical rotations and a horrible NCLEX pass rate. But your student is likely to find themselves working right next to nurses who went to jr. college for their ADN and then got their BSN a few years later. Your student will make the SAME amount of $$ coming out of U Mich as the new RN who went to local regional U and got their BSN.
@carachel2 thanks! I want her to get great experience and limit the crazy student loans that could come.
It’s official. D just picked PITT over UCONN for nursing.
We are excited. Pretty easy choice for us but she wasn’t ready to commit until tonight. She’s excited as well. Incredible program at a great school. Hail to PITT!
@Collegedad33 Cheers to this great news! Thanks for all your help.
@Banker1 Thanks! We are very excited.
Thanks to u as well for advice along this crazy path to school. Has your D decided on a school yet? Any luck with the Honors program at Ohio State?
@Collegedad33 D eliminated OSU during her visit a couple days ago. She was able to confirm just as we had heard it’s no longer direct entry for Nursing even for Honors. Also D thought it was far too big for her. While she hasn’t made her decision, at least she is starting to eliminate schools. So that’s a plus!
@Banker1 that’s to bad about Ohio State but it sounds like the right decision for her. My guess is she will have plenty of options with her stats. Good luck and keep me posted