Why NOT private??

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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I've been on this forum for sometime now and read a lot of threads about how competitive nursing programs are and people are staying on a waitlists and are willing to travel miles and miles from home to any college they get in. I have a question, why is that? Are you only considering public schools that have huge wait lists? Why not go into private school? They have so many scholarships available that you might end up paying about 4-5 thousand difference per year. Yes, in 3 years of nursing school (if you take pre-reqs in CC), it will be 12-15 thousand difference. But don't you think it is worth it? You will have to pay around 100$ more per month for student loan, but you can be directly admitted into the program without a waitlist and possibly get a better education. Now, I am not saying that all private schools are better than public, but they do have smaller class sizes and usually better clinical placement. Student who are applying to public or private schools, what were the most influential factors that helped you make your decision?

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
My last degree there were no curves in any of my classes. Now there's a curve on every test. Do actual nursing classes have curves on tests? That would seem unfair with the program requirements, except for the person it helps.

Although I like getting A's on everything, I'm really a B student with padded curves. I feel I cheated and grateful at same time.

That doesn't mean there are grade curves in nursing school; many times there is little to none at all.

Now, back to the thread on choosing a school, whether it be public or private. :)

I am a cna and I work with a few nurses (bsn) who bring home about the same amount of money each month as me bc they are paying tons in loans. Not worth it to me.

I am a cna and I work with a few nurses (bsn) who bring home about the same amount of money each month as me bc they are paying tons in loans. Not worth it to me.

Where state are you located in? What's the hourly ? Do you know how much their loan payments are?

Thanks for your comment, gpa is really something I need to consider (in terms of private school especially). I also wanted to ask if employers actually looking at our overall gpa after we finish nursing school? Or all they need is our license?

I've had almost all A's in my pre-reqs. When ppl in last year's class told me to figure on never getting an A in nursing school, I was skeptical. But now that I'm in, I see the grading scale is different. Not only are the classes much more difficult (even though I'm an LPN to RN with many years of experience), but you need a 92% to get the A. Also, I am in Missouri and checked a few hospitals around. One major hospital in Columbia MO has a starting salary of $42,500. In smaller towns, it's not that high. Still better than what I'm making now though lol

My last degree there were no curves in any of my classes. Now there's a curve on every test. Do actual nursing classes have curves on tests? That would seem unfair with the program requirements, except for the person it helps.

Although I like getting A's on everything, I'm really a B student with padded curves. I feel I cheated and grateful at same time.

No curves in my nursing school.

I am currently a senior at a local, private, not - for profit BSN school. Tuition is about 26k a year and I recieve minimal financial aid and scholarship. Currently I am in 67k of debt. I got into a highly, highly competitive public associate degree program and chose to go the private way despite the rediculous amount of money it costs...I will tell you why. First off, in my area (NY) associate degree nurses are NOT being hired at all. With the exception of some nursing homes and if you are VERY lucky a hospital with the promise to go for your BSN within 2 years. I know this from talking to many friend that have gone this route AND nursing recruiters AND hospital administration that I have spoken too. Second, the education I am recieving although not guaranteed to get you a job (your grades, licensure, externships, volunteer opportunities, and of course who you know will get u a job as well), increases my chances of getting a job tenfold WITH a much higher pay. I go to a accredited school that hospitals are known to recruit student right out of graduation because of the quality of the education. It might seem silly to some to spend such an exorbitant amount of money for an education but as a future nurse it is important to look at the whole situation (as in your nursing practice). You will need to eventually get your BSN which will cost you money. In my area, BSN is offered at private institutions or by cheaper non - accredited schools (why bother if you are competing against others who went to an accredited schools).The amount of clinical hours offered by certain programs also affect how your hired. By me there is an excellent BSN program that is accelerated, SUNY (which is very affordable) and accredited, however it does not offer as much clinical hours. Nurse recruiters look at this since the job market is so competitive. If I wasn't wait listed for a year for this program I would have went this way anyway. HOWEVER, with the amount of debt I am in, it is very risky with the job market the way it is. I have excellent grades, am apart of sigma theta tau international honor society and have done an externship in hopes to increasing my chances of getting a job, I'm really not that worried. I have many friends who have graduated from the program I am in, found jobs right away and are making on average 75K a year or more. I know others that went the cheaper way ( non accredited, ASN, ect.) and if they have found jobs they are offered pay around 35-40k. Yes I have a TON of debt but unfortunately, in many area it's the only way to work in a career that you really love and make the max amount of money. Of COURSE there are many reasons why you can not go to a very expensive school- and I am STRICTLY talking about my area because I do not know how it is in other states or areas, but it's not such a ridiculous notion to pay so much to go to an expensive private school after throughly looking at the pros and cons of each way. I will be paying the price for my choice and I have researched the hospitals in my area that offer Tuition reimbursement. If you choose to expensive private way..you must ensure that you are the bestfof the best. All because you pay more doesnt mean you will get a job. Whatever way you choose, if this is really what you love to do and you are dedicated enough you will score a job and make a difference in patients lives every day. Good luck to you all!

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