Nursing Programs: Public vs Private Universities, does it really matter?

[gizzel84]

Hello all current nursing students and active Nurses! I need to pick your brains please!

I am a 2nd degree student and mother of 2 beautiful girls. I made the biggest decision in my life coming back to school to pursue a degree in nursing and I cannot be happier.

So I applied to a BSN programs at a few of my local schools here in NYC. As you all know, all these programs are super competitive! I Studied my butt off for all my pre-requisites- attending night school and weekend school so I can continue working. I spent weeks perfecting my personal statements- often hounding my mentors and friends for their feedback.

So now I have heard back from the schools and I am in!!! WOOOO Something I did not expect- I got in to both of my first choice schools!!! Wow- I have choices? I did not expect this. All the late night studying paid off!!

Both are wonderful programs, with great clinical placements- the difference is, one program is at a Private University, while the other is at a Public one. The Private school program is 6x as much as the private!!!!

I am trying not to let the $ be the main deciding factor, but as you all know it carries a large weight. As a second degree student I am not eligible for most financial aid. I received my "financial aid package" from the private school, and it was laughable. I would have to take in private loans for tuition and living expenses, as my husband cannot carry all the burden on his own. I am also applying for scholarships.

So going back to my original question, what makes or breaks a good Nursing applicant once you are out looking for a job? Is it the school name? Or is it the NCLEX score and the clinical placements you had at school? As I applied to schools I was well aware of the tuition and costs and decided I was willing to get into this educational debt, and consider it as an investment. But should I get into this large debt if I have the choice not to?

The two schools I am referring to are Pace University and Hunter College in New York City, for any of you familiar with the schools.

HELP ME!!! I would love some insight =)

[Annachu512, BSN, RN]

I personally attend a private school and love the smaller size. But the higher price tag is something to consider. My school is VERY giving with it's grants and scholarships so I only pay half of what I should. If you're really unsure, see what grants may be available and maybe that price tag will not be as bad as you think.

But the question is...will my degree be better since I attend a private school? No, as long as the school has a good reputation, go with the cheaper one. I only attend the expensive one for the distance factor. I'm a commuter with a baby girl so that was what I needed. Good luck!

[mindlor]

I dont know how many times I have to mention it.....

A C C R E D I D A T I O N

Now listen, I am an idiot and dont know what I am talking about so please....

Dont listen to a word I say.......

[gizzel84, BSN]

Hey everyone. Thanks again for the insight. I accepted my seat at Hunter (public).I am very excited to start.

[jemmens]

I Have been at both a private nursing school and a public nursing school. I transfered from the private nursing school because it was too expensive, and my father got a job at the pulic university and I had to pay only half the tuition so I tranfered to the public school.

This is just my opinion and it doesnt reflect all the private and public nursing schools in the US. I thought the classess where easier to pass at the private school and I had a 4.0 gpa over there, if you think about it, private school is like a business and the students are the customers,they get minimal funding from the state and federal gov. so they will do anything to keep the students and make them stay and pay the expensive tuition.

but when I got to public school, cos of my GPA from the private school I got a scholarship and let me tell you a public school will make sure they get a good return on their investment in you. the classess were harder, and my GPA has dropped to 3.6 ever since. I find that it is difficult in general to get an A in a public school vs. a private school. Again it could also be that I started all my hardcore nursing courses at the public school so that may account for the drop in GPA as well.

[sjbrk]

I definitely disagree with the idea that private schools are easier. I am in a nursing program at the only private school in my area -- there are three other public universities around that also offer a BSN. Our grading system is much higher than the others, and our classes are tough. We also will graduate with more clinical hours.

Private school is not the easy way out.

[jemmens]

I definitely disagree with the idea that private schools are easier. I am in a nursing program at the only private school in my area -- there are three other public universities around that also offer a BSN. Our grading system is much higher than the others, and our classes are tough. We also will graduate with more clinical hours.

Private school is not the easy way out.

That's why I said it is only my opinion from my experience from both a private and a public. U dnt have to agree and u re entitled to urs.

[theantichick]

I think it all depends on the area. I have heard of places where the public nursing programs are not well respected.

Where I'm at, the public schools (community college) are very highly respected. The private universities have good programs, but I've been interested to find that when we're out in clinicals, the floor nurses aren't impressed with the students. They are almost always very impressed with the students from the community colleges and the public university.

Then there are the private nursing schools. They are a racket and not worth the time even investigating.

Like someone said here - CHECK THEIR ACCREDITATION, and there should be a mechanism to check both their graduation rates and their NCLEX pass rates, do it. A school that flunks everyone out so their NCLEX is high probably isn't any better than a place that passes everyone and half fail the NCLEX. You want a balance. But if they're not properly accredited, keep on walking.