Advisor says poor school name value will worsen chances

[friendlyskies, MSN, RN]

Hi all! I'm currently in an entry-level generalist MSN program and would like some opinions on further steps. I plan on getting a DNP or PhD eventually and definitely want to have an FNP certification.

I'm trying to decide whether to get an online post-master's FNP from University of Southern Indiana and go into practice, pay off my loans, and pursue my doctoral degree down the road, or just go directly into a DNP/PhD program now (about 3 more years). Part of the reason I am hesitating to do a FNP first, even though that's my inclination at the moment, is because my advisor believes USI has poor name value and will worsen my chances of getting a good job or getting into a good DNP/PhD school in the future. I don't know how true this is. I have friends who are MDs and NPs that are starting medical spas in a nearby affluent area and I plan to work at a similar one after getting my FNP. I'm not sure if I will be "looked down upon" in that field for not having my FNP from a prestigious school. Any thoughts? She seemed really adamant and acted like I would be signing a death warrant because my other degrees are from prestigious schools. I'm very confused. Personally I don't feel like there should be such prejudice as long as the school is accredited, has good pass rates, and is not for-profit.

[TheDudeWithTheBigDog, ADN, RN]

The only thing that matters to you when it comes to college is "Will these classes transfer towards another degree?" That's it. For getting accepted into a doctorate nursing program, maybe someone that decides your fate will hate that school, but most don't know a single thing about any school except for their own.

The only thing you should care about is accreditation. Your school is CCNE accredited, and has a nice list of others that'll cover your other general classes. Most likely, they'll transfer. The school you got your master's degree from isn't going to affect whether or not you get into a doctorate program, your ability to function at that level is. Someone with a master's from some no name school that's published an article in a reputable journal is going to have a way easier time getting in than someone from Colombia who barely passed his composition classes.

There is no such thing as your choice of school meaning that you can't get a higher level degree, there's no such thing as your choice of school meaning that you can't get a job. Stop listening to these people. They're not getting rejected or not hired because their school wasn't good enough, it's happening because THEY weren't good enough.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

Moved to student NP forum