Choosing between CSU Pueblo & UCCS University of Colorado at Colorado Springs Bethel

smsoftballgirl · Oct 28, 2013

I am a current accelerated student at CSU-P but got my first degree (Geography in May 2013) from UCCS and took all of my pre-reqs at UCCS. And I have friends in the accelerated at UCCS. So I hope I am a decent reference :). First off, be aware that nursing school, regardless of where you go, is rather political. By that I mean certain professors run the show and do things their way even when things don't seem fair to the students. This goes on at both schools. Personally, I chose CSU-Pueblo for several reasons over UCCS. First off, it took less credits for me to get into Pueblo and CSU-Pueblo is more affordable than UCCS. I liked the feel of the CSU-P program better, it felt more welcoming but that's just my opinion. At CSU-P, you get lots of clinical time in a variety of hospitals and I've gotten tremendous experience in just the 6 months I've been in the program. As a med/surg 1 student I've already worked rotations in the ER, ICU, OR, and next week I have wound care. I've assisted in both a c-section and lady partsl delivery in Labor & Delivery clinical. So far, I've been happy with CSU-P. At times our program can seem disorganized but it happens at UCCS too. Being an accelerated student is...a blessing and a curse. A blessing because you will be done so quickly. But a curse because of the pace. Its not impossible, and its not difficult so much as it is time consuming. I encourage you to tour both schools if possible, and try to see if you can talk to students at both schools to get a better perspective. And feel free to contact me with any questions, I'll answer as best I can.

altron2000 · Nov 5, 2013

Thank you for your input. I'm starting the traditional BSN at CSU-Pueblo in January. I'll be driving from Washington State so it's quite a move for me. Any advice is much appreciated. I'm still looking for a CNA position in a hospital like I am right now but I have also been told it's wise not to work. Just trying to see how I can afford not to. Anyway thanks!

smsoftballgirl · Nov 6, 2013

After you have passed fundamentals or if you already have your CNA, take a look at parkview medical center in pueblo. They have specific nursing student extern positions around the hospital and most of the traditional students seem to enjoy it. They work at the CNA level or unit secretary level and it sounds like they are pretty flexible with hours. Most of the traditional students work one or two days a week. The nursing department discourages the accelerated students from working, but that is because we are taking 19-20 credits a semester versus 12-16. Even with that said, many of us still work. Just make sure you have decent time management and organizational skills. Don't know if you've been looking at living places, but the Wolf Village on campus townhomes are pretty nice and affordable. My brother lives there and its a nice set-up, plus utilities are all included. Preserve at belmont apartments are very close to campus if you want to actually have an apartment.

altron2000 · Nov 6, 2013

Ok thank you!

Cheezits5744 · Nov 9, 2013

I just recently finished my traditional (2 year) program this summer. During the last year of my program, I was working about 1-2 days a week and found it manageable. I think it comes down to how flexible your employer is and how well you manage your time as smsoftballgirl mentioned. If it is possible for you to work, I would highly recommend it; it helped ease my transition from the classroom to the clinical setting and helped me get my foot in the door at the hospital I work at now.