Community or Private schools

I would stick it out and wait for the community college. Take all the non-nursing courses you can in the meantime so when you start school you won't have those to deal with, and you can get your GPA up. Maybe you could check and see if there is any way to speed up your entry into the program.

I will be attending a pricey private university starting in Sept. I started by looking into the state colleges, both community and university, but both had waiting lists. I waited too long to get going and the private university took me now. I did all my prereq's at the community college level and will transfer to the university for just the nursing program. That alone is $28,000 but they gave me a 1/2 price tuition waiver because of my grades for prereq's (and membership in phi theta kappa). They have also offered student loans to cover the rest. I am also still applying for other scholarships that I qualify for. My tuition with the waiver is about the same as at the state university here, so sometimes the private schools can be done at about the same price.

You have to decide what is best for you... and then trust that you are making the best decision. I want a BSN and I didn't want to wait any longer to start.

I'm attending a private catholic college this fall ( BSN), it is expensive but I like the faculty as I had taken some-req's there. The classes are smaller and they are geared towards non-traditional (older) students, they also offer scholarships and if you qualify for "grants" it really cuts the price down. The only downside is that it is 45 min one way. There is no waiting list, probably b/c it is expensive.

I agree with memphispanda, take all the pre-reqs you need at the community college. If you have small children you might want to be closer to them or have a support system to back you up if you decide to do the longer commute.

Good Luck

I am a RN with a BSN who is currently working on a MSN/MBA. I received my BSN from the Medical college of GA a public school and I'm now at Ga College, the community college where I did my core classes. I have been a nurse since 2000 and I can honestly tell you that I don't know how things work elsewhere, but at the places I've been to in ga, pay isn't differentiated between RNs with ADs and BSNs. Hospitals don't care where you graduated or whether you had a 3.0 or 2.1 GPA. All they care about is if you have a degree. There's a nursing SHORTAGE!!!! I have worked with nurses that went to Emory for $40,000 and still don't know crap! You have to study and you will only get out what you put in- regardless of the school. I would suggest living within your means and go to the community school. Besides, who can concentrate on school work when in the back of your mind you're thinking... I am in a world of debt. that's not a good way to start off. I went to a public university, HOPE scholarship paid my entire tuition, and unpon graduation I started out making $30/hr in a small town rural hospital. You can always work at a large facility when you get out and they will train you.You should just know the fundamentals and you'll have a preceptor.

Good luck!

Ursula

Look at the school's NCLEX pass rates. That will tell you the potential of that school meeting your needs. I chose to attend a private university instead of a CC then transfering. That's just a personal decision.

Originally posted by meandragonbrett

Look at the school's NCLEX pass rates. That will tell you the potential of that school meeting your needs. I chose to attend a private university instead of a CC then transfering. That's just a personal decision.

Good advice

I am in a community college with a pass rate of 98%.

The tuition is manageable and no loans to deal with after I am finished.

Just graduated from a CC and I have no school debt. Works for me! Now if only I can pass the NCLEX.

I just graduated from one the best nursing programs in the northwest. It is unique in that the 4 major universities in this area got together and formed this program. They have their students take prereqs at the respective institution then transfer to a separate college of nursing which is run by the state university. The consortium is made of a catholic, presbyterian, and 2 state universities. Each school has a certain number of spots ear marked for their students. We all paid the same tuition to the public university running the program. Upon graduation, we recieve a degree from our respective university and the university running the program. Its a dual degree program. I think it was the best. The limited space makes it extremely competitive as so many other BSN programs can be.

I think it all depends on the area you are living in. I live in South FL and I would have to wait a good 2 years if I wanted to attend a community college. Plus competition is fierce! So alot of students go to private schools. It's so bad that the private schools have waiting lists as well.

Now you have a child so you have to take that nto account also. You have to put your child in first place because nursing school will always be around. Your child will never be 2 or 3 years old twice.

At the end both are doable, just gather up all the facts and write down the downsides and benefits of attending either or.

Let us know your decision.

I transferred from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to a private university. I was fortunate to have a 3.8 gpa so was awarded a $15,000/year renewable scholarship and the rest of my tuition is covered in grants from the University and good ol' Uncle Sam.

My husband has been out of work since 9/11 so I qualified for the Federal Pell Grant too.

Originally posted by nursing 101

I think it all depends on the area you are living in.

I agree. I live 5 miles from a CC, but the nearest university is 3 hours away. There was also little competition to get into my school, and the tuition was very cheap. So where I live the CC was the only way to go.