[bugjam]

Hi, I live in Grand Junction right now, but my husband may be transferred to fort collins next year and I am thinking of going to school for a BSN. The closest BSN program I saw is in Greeley--what is it like to commute from fort collins to Greeley? We are also considering living in windsor or ault--somewhere between Greeley and FC and commuting.
thanks for any advice on this.

[wannabeinwanaka]

I don't live in either town, I live in the mountains in Estes Park. But I would say that your commute from Ft Collins to Greeley will be fairly simple. It isn't far and there are so many ways to go. Good luck!

[GregRN]

It's crazy to think CSU, as large as it is, doesn't have a BSN degree offering. But it's true. You'd have to do two years there and then transfer to another program. That said, could you go to CSU, located right in Ft. Collins, and then transfer later? If not, the commute to Greeley from FC is not bad at all. Traffic to and from either place, even during rush hour, would likely be better than rush hour traffic in GJ. Options, options, options...

[CityKat]

It's about 1/2 an hour if I remember correctly and that was in 1989. I used to travel to Fort Collins from UNC all the time back then and remember it being a very very easy drive.
not to worry.

[hope3456]

Originally Posted by GregRN

It's crazy to think CSU, as large as it is, doesn't have a BSN degree offering. But it's true. You'd have to do two years there and then transfer to another program. That said, could you go to CSU, located right in Ft. Collins, and then transfer later? If not, the commute to Greeley from FC is not bad at all. Traffic to and from either place, even during rush hour, would likely be better than rush hour traffic in GJ. Options, options, options...

I got my ADN from FRCC in FC, it was amazing how many people who had bachelor degrees from CSU were in my class getting an associate degree - kindve backwards isn't it?

[rannah12]

Hey, I live in GJ too and I used to live in FC and communte to Greeley in 2000 and I think it took like 45 minutes and the traffic is roughly the same as far as rush hour until you get into FC which is worse then GJ but its not a bad drive. I actually enjoyed the wind down on the way home and the chance to wake up before I got to work. Good luck, I would love to move back to FC.

[RNin'08]

When I was at UNC last year there were a lot of students in my classes that commuted from Fort Collins and Windsor (I made the commute from Denver!) The drive to Windsor is a bit easier, only about 20 minutes and a lot less traffic, but like other posters have said, the drive isn't bad to FC there's just a bit more traffic the closer you get.
If you have pre-reqs to take I would suggest taking them at UNC for 2 big reasons: 1) Cost - UNC is *way* cheaper than CSU!! (only a few dollars more per credit hour than the community colleges) and 2) better score on your Nursing school app! They work on a points system for admittance and you get more points for the amount of credit hours you have with the school.
Good luck with your decision!

RNin'08
~my reality check bounced~

[bugjam]

I was wondering about where to take the prereqs so thanks for that input--i'm leaning toward UNC for the reasons you mentioned. did you have to wait to get into UNC? or did you get in the first time you applied? did you like the program? and did you find a job right after you graduated? thanks so much for the info.

[RNin'08]

I got into UNC the first time I applied, so no wait, but I also got into CU and decided to get my degree there. I took pre-reqs at UNC and really enjoyed it. A few of the friends I made on campus are currently in the program and love it. The school has a good NCLEX pass rate and the nursing professors that I had for classes like Patho and Pharm were great. I know a few people who have graduated from UNC and they haven't had a problem finding work, the hospitals in that area have some good new grad programs specifically for UNC.

RNin'08
~my reality check bounced~

[whiskeygirl]

Hi Bug,
I did my BSN at UNC. Loved it! I was really put through the ringer for my associates at another school. Dean lied to the students, instructors were part of the "nurses eat their young" and were incapable of being an effective or supporting educator. The good instructors were definately outnumbered here.
Not UNC! EVERY instructor I have had has been an above average communicator. The instrustors respect the students! (What a novel idea) EVERY instructor I have had has had their masters degree either in nursing or education! I have NEVER heard of student vs. staff issues, like an instructor singleling and picking on a student. My experience is the most students do very well in this program. Grades are high, but NO ONE will say that it is a cake walk. It's not.
Don't get me wrong, I had my own issues with other parts of the school- credits were not applied correctly, transfer credits not given for appropriate course work, inaccurate billing. Every time I called the school to fix the above issues staff were pleasent to talk to and ALWAYS willing to take the time to fix the problem.
I could probably go on and on because I think so highly of my experience there. University of Northern Colorado is clearly a school that values their students.
Any solid student wanting a really good educational experience is wise to attend UNC.