I just got accepted into all three schools for direct-entry nursing, and I’m having trouble deciding which one to attend!
I’m considering UVA the most, because of its prestige, but since only ~30% of their nursing students work out of state, I’m worried that I won’t be able to properly fulfill the requirements to get licensure in CA, which is where I want to work in the future.
I’m also considering Case Western for nursing. They’ve given me a pretty good merit and aid package, and are known for nursing.
Finally, there’s USF! USF is very close to my house (about 1 hour away), and would allow me to visit home often in my first year. I could probably even commute for the rest of the years to reduce cost! I’m a family girl, so USF being close to home is a great plus. USF also has connections to UCSF, which would give me access to one of the best hospitals in the nation. However, USF is nowhere near as prestigious as UVA…
Do you have any thoughts or suggestions? I want to make a suitable decision and have no regrets!
these are all vastly different schools, hahaha. you’re (basically) deciding between a state flagship vs. a private nonprofit vs. a jesuit school. is money an issue? UVA seems to be the most expensive (since you’re OOS), so i think you should rule that one out. case western seems like a happy medium:
— you have good financial aid
— ties with the cleveland clinic (a big plus)
— known for pre-med
one of the caveats, however, is you’ll be far away from home. i, also, may be a little biased because i think case is inherently underrated by many people. USF sounds like a good deal too, though. its connections with UCSF are a big plus too.
You will NOT be able to commute 2 hours a day as a nursing student. And once you’re on campus, you’ll be too busy to have time to go home.
Look at their NCLEX pass rates.
What’s the net cost at each? (tuition, fees, room, board) - (scholarships, grants)? DO NOT subtract any loan.
@kalons@MYOS1634 Thank you both for the feedback! Currently, the net cost of Case is around $17K, and USF is around $25K. I don’t know what my cost for UVA will be yet. The NCLEX pass rates for Case is 95%, UVA is 93%, and USF is between 80-90%. I’m also concerned about the connections I will miss out on if I go out of state. @MYOS1634 Which do you suggest is the best option?
What’s your parents’budget?
Right now, your best value (qualitycostROI) is Case Western. It’s right by hospitals, excellent program with excellent placement and NCLEX pass rates, lots of smart kids, no problem registering for classes…
We are from the Bay Area and my daughter is a second year nursing student at Case.
Her high school is a feeder to USF.
All her friends from high school attend USF for nursing.
My daughter did not apply, because the nurses in our family suggested not to (even though we are a legacy family).
The reasons being - “low” NCLEX pass rate and just issues with the nursing program in general.
I have known students that want to stay in Bay Area for nursing choose Dominican over USF.
Ironically, the “smartest” of my daughter’s friends who goes to USF, got deferred a semester (I think because they were restructuring their nursing program at the time).
@wildcatmom16 Thanks for your input! I agree that USF isn’t the best for nursing. Both the NCLEX and the price are worrisome. How is your daughter handling the coursework at Case? Are the classes manageable?
@nursingnbusiness
The best thing about Case is that you begin clinical rotations rights away! No waiting until junior year to find out nursing is not for you.
My daughter had a bit of trouble her first semester - Case more or less gives you a curriculum to follow. She was carrying 18 units and just couldn’t handle biology and anatomy. She had to drop anatomy . That pretty much set her back a year. Most people have taken ap bio and tested out. It was a learning experience. So this year she had to retake anatomy and is now taking second semester anatomy. It’s managable, she just had too much on her plate.
Case offers a lot of help. They have what they call “SI” - supplemental instruction. It’s like a discussion class that is led by a former student who did well in the class. This is in addition to regular office hours with the professors. (Teaching a section of SI is also a way to make money, as it is a paid position).
They also offer “ess” which is one on one tutoring - you are eligible for 5 hours a week.
Are you going to do an overnight? My daughter is not hosting this year because she’s in Greek housing this year and they are not allowed to have overnight guests.
If you are, she can meet with you.
There is also a “send off” party hosted by an alumni family. The last two years it has been held in San Mateo County.
For some reason, I can’t send PMs - but when I figure it, I can send you her contact info.
@wildcatmom16 I also haven’t take AP Bio so I’ll be on the same boat as your D! Unfortunately I don’t have time to do an overnight, but I am going to visit this week on April 5th Both SI and the tutoring sound incredibly helpful so I am grateful to have Case as an option. I will message you about your daughter’s contact info! Thank you for the advice
Both SI and the tutoring sound incredibly helpful so I am grateful to have Case as an option. I will message you about your daughter’s contact info! Thank you for the advice