"oh. . .You're going to a COMMUNITY college?"

[Toodee]

Hi all of you out there!

I currently attend a local community college where I am enrolled in my last pre-req for the nursing program at my school. I live in an area where there is a prestigious health care university fifteen minutes away. When I am asked by my co-workers (I work in a hospital's radiology dept.) what nursing program I intend on applying to I tell them the community college I currently attend or 3 other prospective J.C schools. Each time I get, " Oh, so you're going to go to a community college? Loma Linda University has a nursing program." I obviously know Loma Linda University has a nursing program but I cannot justify spending upwards of $30,000 a year for an ASN. I don't want the student loans for the rest of my life and when I explain this they just give me a blank look like I am a leper. I would just like to know if I'm going to be missing an opportunity of some unforeseen sort if I just stick with the Community college route and get my BSN after I pass my boards or does it even make a difference?

I really appreciate all your help!

S.D

[CT Pixie, BSN, RN]

I heard the same thing while taking some courses at the Community college. I would laugh and say, "yes, I am going to a community college and paying a fraction of the price you are at A B or C University. As a matter of fact all of my professors are also professors at A B and C University! and I highly doubt the professors are withholding any needed or extra info for the course, just because we aren't enrolled in THAT University" And all our Community College credits are transferable to all those "better" University and Private Colleges..again..I paid a fraction of the price the people in the "better" non-community colleges are..

People are truely idiots sometimes. I don't care what school you go to, as long as you get good grades and graduate, why should it matter??

[kew82]

I have a B.S. from a state school, and am now going back to school to become an RN. I've taken all of my prerequisites at jc's. I have a 4.0, and expect a lot from my instructors. I'll tell you from experience that there is absolutely no difference in the level of instruction from one to the other. I'm transferring back to state because I'd like the option for NP or other advanced degree in the future, but as far as differences between state and jc... it's just money. In my opinion, it's not bright to pay more than you have to, especially if all you're buying is a brand name!

[nursejenni08BSN]

I really wish that everyone could put aside the pride and understand that it is not always about dollars and cents, just like it is not always about the name of the college that you attend. Yes, sometimes these things play a role in decision making, but lets look at things realistically. So what if the school is free if they are so impacted that you can't get in for multiple semesters. Is it really more cost effective to wait for the chance at the opportunity for a free education, or pay, or even better yet do a little extra work and get scholarships and attend a school that has spots. As I see it many of the community colleges accept based upon the lottery system (which is great for those with less than perfect GPAs) or there is State and Private Schools (If you have a really high GPA many times it is much easier and quicker to be accepted because acceptance is base in whole or in part on a scoring system). There are pros and cons to every school, just like there are pros and cons to ADN vs BSN degrees. Oh and I know for a fact of a hospital that will only hire ADN nurses IF and only IF they have a Bachelor or Masters in something else, and if they are a Nurse Manager that they have only a certain amount of time to bridge their ADN degree to that of a BSN. What's my point? Get in to school, where ever you can, Get out of school, Pass the NCLEX, find a Job and start your career.

[Proud 2b Me]

I have been told that if you have a Bachelor degree, in any field you can go to Samuel Merritt College here in the bayarea and get you BSN in a year. You might want to check areiund and see if this is an option at other college

[paganoid]

I have been told that if you have a Bachelor degree, in any field you can go to Samuel Merritt College here in the bayarea and get you BSN in a year. You might want to check areiund and see if this is an option at other college

I know a guy who is doing the accel'd BSN program this year at CalState Sacramento. It's a double classload (I go 20 hours a week and work 40, he goes to class 40 hours a week and doesn't work at all).

The one-year program isn't for everybody, especially if they have job or family committments tying them down. But for the young, energetic, student with a clear schedule it may be the best option.

[chickapea]

I am a firm believer, in any occupation, that it's not the school, the grades or the degree that makes a person great, but the dedication and determination. Good luck to you!!

[kew82]

I have been told that if you have a Bachelor degree, in any field you can go to Samuel Merritt College here in the bayarea and get you BSN in a year. You might want to check areiund and see if this is an option at other college

I looked into it prior. My wife is an RN at UC Davis Med Center. She precepts students as they do clinicals. Apparently the quality of the teaching isn't getting it done in the programs that are condensed (excluding Sutter, they don't rotate though Davis). They are turning out some pretty poor students, so I hear. I decided to just do the extra year and not risk it. Thanks for the heads-up though.

[Sharingan]

I plan to get my BSN in the future but for now, CC is the way to go. Sure, they've got long wait lists. Some of them even use the lottery system (which I don't agree with). However, with $20/unit (less than $3K for the whole program), nothing can beat that. I already have some debts from my previous study, so I'd like to avoid taking out any more studen loans. I don't mind waiting a bit longer as long as I don't have to take out loan money.

Mt.SAC has a good reputation (as well as a long wait list). There are really many reputable CC programs around your area. If I were you, I wouldn't care one bit what anyone has to say about my choice of education.