About to pull trigger, am I making the right career choice?

[mtg0884]

I've been wanting to go back to NP school for years as I initially started PA school at 18 but switched over after my friend who was a PA scared me out of it with how he wished he would have become an NP. Anyways,

Im 27, male, married, own a house, would really like to have kids. I planned to go to Jefferson in Philadelphia as I thought the name would be good to have behind my name but they only offer a 3 year program, regardless of what there website states. I really, don't want a LONG drawn out, 3 year program.

I've applied to University of Cincinnati as it is a 2 year program.

I personally feel like I will have less job offers because I didn't graduate from a "LEGIT" well known school. I am going for FNP. Most of my friends are doing the 3.5 year Drexel program. They are all fixated that there school name will land them a much better gig than a dedicated online program like I may do.

Basically, having doubts

[zmansc, ASN, RN]

Worry less about the school name and more about becoming the best provider you can be. Pick the program that will best fit your needs, they all sound like they have good enough reputations.

Study hard, and make time to network with providers. Do these schools provide you with preceptors or do you identify the preceptors? If you do, even more reason to start networking with providers now, and keep networking all the way through the program. If you can, find outlets where you rub shoulders with providers. I happen to work a one day/mo clinic for the homeless with one. That small effort has done wonders at opening up doors for me in a multitude of ways, far more than any name on a degree will do. Personally, I had my preceptors lined up and committed before I applied to my program, that just shows how anal retentive I am!

[Candimk2]

I say go for it! I would never go to a school that would take 3.5 years, which is why I'm particularly happy that mine is only 2.5 years (part time), full time would only be 5 semesters (sigh). Don't base your decision on what your friends are doing, do what's right for you & your schedule.

[ricardoj]

I say go for it! I would never go to a school that would take 3.5 years, which is why I'm particularly happy that mine is only 2.5 years (part time), full time would only be 5 semesters (sigh). Don't base your decision on what your friends are doing, do what's right for you & your schedule.

Do you mind my asking what school you will be attending?

[ghillbert, MSN, NP]

As someone who hires APPs, I don't really care where you went to school. I am much more interested in your clinical experiences, grades and more importantly, the references of your preceptors than the name of the school.

[adventure780, BSN, MSN, RN, APN]

I honestly think best thing to do is pick a program that is affordable and fits your needs. If it's hard to fit everything in, you will struggle and not enjoy it as much. Be motivated and keep networking along the way no matter where you end up at

[Riburn3, BSN, MSN, APRN, NP]

Another nice way to look at it is you are going to have 1.5 year advantage in the job hunt over your friends. I also think school prestige, particularly in nursing, means jack and squat most of the time.

[IrishIzCPNP, MSN, RN, APRN, NP]

I think in many cases school name doesn't matter. There will be times it does but it doesn't mean that those who didn't go to x school won't get a job. I recently heard somebody make a point that Drexel was known to have excellent grads. So it clearly means something to somebody...but it won't mean something to everyone.

You need to do what works for you after weighing all your options.

Drexel does have an excellent program.

[adventure780, BSN, MSN, RN, APN]

I agree with the others here as long as the program is accrediated you should be fine