Advice, please! I'm torn! OHSU or University of Portland?

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Hello! I've been going over this decision again and again in my head, and just when I think I've come to a conclusion, I think of something else that changes my mind! I could really use some advice from current or former students (or even if you just know someone who's gone through the programs). Thank you in advance!

I was accepted to OHSU's accelerated BSN program, scheduled to start in June of this year. I was also accepted to University of Portland as a transfer student (I have a previous Bachelor's degree) which is scheduled to start in January of 2017. I interviewed for the Providence Scholar program (where U of P/Providence Health Systems pays for just over 80% of your tuition if you work for Providence for 3 years after graduation). We were supposed to be alerted of the Prov Scholar decisions this week, but apparently one of the coordinators had to leave town, and they've delayed the decisions until week after next. So while I thought I'd have everything all planned out this week, I'm still in turmoil!

If I don't get the Prov Scholar program, my decision is easily made... I'll go to OHSU because I can't afford U of P's tuition on my own. But if I am offered a spot in the Prov program, I don't know what to do. Here are my issues:

- OHSU is a shorter program (15 vs 18 months) and starts earlier. I would graduate a full year earlier if I did this program.

- OHSU is an accelerated program, and I'm just a bit nervous about the pace/workload. I have a toddler, and my husband works full time.

- The feeling I get from U of P (thus far) has been really supportive.. Everyone's been super nice and approachable, and they make it feel more individualized. OHSU has given me the feeling of just being a much larger institution... I've gotten a "Everyone wants to come here, so we don't need to make an effort to engage/support you" attitude. That might be totally off, but it's just the feeling I've gotten so far.

- U of P will equal a guaranteed job after graduation for those in the Prov Scholar program. I'm also a little concerned about the flooded Portland market, so a job guarantee would be nice.

If all things were equal (same length of program, same start date, same pace) I would choose U of P. But I just can't decide with things how they are. Does it make more sense to just jump right in and get it over in 15 moths at OHSU? And cross my fingers I get hired somewhere relatively quickly? Or should I wait and start U of P in January, not graduating until summer of 2018, but be guaranteed a job?

I know this is a "good" problem to have (if I get the scholarship!) and I feel incredibly lucky to have been accepted to both of these wonderful institutions. But the stress I'm feeling now is even more than I felt during the application period! I'd love to hear any advice! Thank you!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Oncology.

I say wait for UP - if you get the Prov Scholars program. I went to UP and did the AEM UP program (which I do not recommend for getting a masters), but my undergrad portion of the program (18 months) was awesome! Just the right amount of time, it went by fast but not so fast that I was overwhelmed. The education I got was phenomenal and the clinicals were great - UP is known for having more clinical hours than most nursing programs (not sure about OHSU though). Obviously I would not go there if you don't get the Prov Scholar, as it is ridiculously expensive. But I'm pretty sure you won't regret waiting for UP especially given the job promise and getting 80% paid off!!! Congratulations!

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Oh, I forgot to mention that you have to pay taxes on the Prov. Scholar money, so with taxes added in, the tuition is just barely less than OHSU.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Oncology.

I still would personally go with UP. I remember now I had a coworker who did the accelerated program at OHSU and she wasn't quite as "clinically prepared" as she ought to have been. I think this may have been because it's crammed in even less time (though I think that was when the program was even less than 15 months, so it might be better now). Either way you can't lose, but in the Portland job market, a guaranteed job at a Providence hospital is hard to beat!

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I still would personally go with UP. I remember now I had a coworker who did the accelerated program at OHSU and she wasn't quite as "clinically prepared" as she ought to have been. I think this may have been because it's crammed in even less time (though I think that was when the program was even less than 15 months, so it might be better now). Either way you can't lose, but in the Portland job market, a guaranteed job at a Providence hospital is hard to beat!

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond! I appreciate your insight. :)

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