I am fortunate enough to have been accepted at Linfield (fall cohort) as well as OHSU. This decision is making me a lunatic!! I have felt for a long time that Linfield is my school of choice. I love that they go straight through summer and I will graduate in 21 months. I have read through the posts on this site and Linfield has so much to offer. I love that they work so much from a global perspective, and I feel that the critical thinking emphasis that they place on the education really prepares for management and advancement.
Then I got accepted to OHSU. I'm so star-struck and in awe of OHSU. I never thought in a million years I would be accepted there. They are rated so highly on a national level. I'm fairly certain I don't want to stay in the PDX area after I graduate, and the OHSU name will carry more weight out of state than Linfield will. The state-of-the-art sim lab makes me drool a little and I know that having clinical rotations at OSHU will give me access to things I will never otherwise see.
All of that being said, I'm leaning toward Linfield at the moment. Am I crazy to be considering giving up my spot at OHSU? Is OHSU getting me off track with their fancy name and sim lab? Then again, in the grand scheme of things an extra year of school doesn't make that much difference and I may really need the extra year of clinical rotations to feel prepared. Someone please help me stop spinning in circles!! ANY advice or thoughts would be greatly, greatly appreciated!
OHSU has a better reputation, not just in rankings but among Charge Nurses who deal with nursing students as well.
I am not knocking linfield, but of the programs they have the Highest cost, and a reputation for the least clinically prepared students. Just my $.02.
I too was accepted at Linfield and I decided against it because it is insanely expensive. Even with a generous scholarship package and a double max on student loans I was still thousands more out of pocket than I could possibly have made a dent in before time to pay for my kids to go to college.
I am anxiously waiting for a letter from one of the other schools I applied to, and I mean ANXIOUS since I didn't have another acceptance before I had to take or leave Linfield. Speaking of which - how did you get a deadline extension past May 1??
Bottom line: You will graduate with 1/3 the debt and more nationwide school recognition from OHSU. But if you still have time, audit a lecture at each. They will let you.
I too was accepted at Linfield and I decided against it because it is insanely expensive. Even with a generous scholarship package and a double max on student loans I was still thousands more out of pocket than I could possibly have made a dent in before time to pay for my kids to go to college.
Bottom line: You will graduate with 1/3 the debt and more nationwide school recognition from OHSU. But if you still have time, audit a lecture at each. They will let you.
Well, once you factor in the transfer scholarship, it really isn't that big of a difference.... certainly not 1/3 the debt. Especially considering the time savings. When I ran the numbers comparing Fall start @ Linfield vs. Fall start OCNE OHSU it was a difference of less than $12K after the scholarship.
I have children, too, and would have gone with OHSU if I had the option and time wasn't a factor, but for me it's not worth an extra year in school at this stage in my life. The experience and salary I would gain in that first year offset the cost difference. Additionally, like you, I was a little skeptical regarding clinicals at Linfield, based on what I'd heard on boards like this. However, after touring the school, studying the curriculum, and talking with students & nurses, I changed my mind and don't think their clinical skills are lacking. They might not get as much clinical time, but they do still get a lot and I've decided that I like the critical thinking and leadership focus. (There's a good thread here: Q's for Linfield Nursing Graduates - Nursing for Nurses )
Granted, I'm biased, because I've chosen to go to Linfield ;-)... but, OHSU was initially my school of choice until I started crunching data & numbers.
Thanks for your thoughts! The money is an issue, but as you mentioned, the experience and salary the first year make up for that. At the end of the day, I had to put my family's needs first. After speaking to my husband and my mother at length, I felt like the choice was no longer mine, I have to put them first. Then my five year old, after hearing us talk about all of it, asked me to choose Linfield "so she could have mommy back sooner"....gulp...Anyway, it kinda makes me physically ill to think about giving up my seat at OHSU, but I know that Linfield is a fantastic place to be. It's a great school and I am super excited about starting in the fall!! Thanks again for all of your thoughts and support!
Then my five year old, after hearing us talk about all of it, asked me to choose Linfield "so she could have mommy back sooner"....gulp...Anyway, it kinda makes me physically ill to think about giving up my seat at OHSU, but I know that Linfield is a fantastic place to be.
Awwwww..... that totally tugs on the ol' heartstrings, huh?
I totally understand your struggle over this whole thing... it is a tough decision! Can't wait to see you in the fall and actually meet you in person! ;-)
me too! getting excited to start in the fall. I've still got to take micro! gulp! I'm taking it at Rock Creek this summer. I'm signed up for the CPR lifeline course at Barbur Blvd. for the 25th of June if anyone wants to join me!
Andie, I totally understand the struggle you've been going through, and understand your 5 year old wanting more time with you. I've a five year old girlie too, and she has no idea how much time I'll be away for the next 2 years. It would be hard to drag it out longer. And it's essential to go for the BSN as so many hospitals are now choosing to not hire RNs without their BSN.
me too! getting excited to start in the fall. I've still got to take micro! gulp! I'm taking it at Rock Creek this summer.
Who are you taking it with? I highly recommend Patti Ayala. :)
.... I've a five year old girlie too, and she has no idea how much time I'll be away for the next 2 years. It would be hard to drag it out longer. And it's essential to go for the BSN as so many hospitals are now choosing to not hire RNs without their BSN.
I have a four year old girl... we should get them together for playdates every once in a while.
me too! getting excited to start in the fall. I've still got to take micro! gulp! I'm taking it at Rock Creek this summer. I'm signed up for the CPR lifeline course at Barbur Blvd. for the 25th of June if anyone wants to join me!
Andie, I totally understand the struggle you've been going through, and understand your 5 year old wanting more time with you. I've a five year old girlie too, and she has no idea how much time I'll be away for the next 2 years. It would be hard to drag it out longer. And it's essential to go for the BSN as so many hospitals are now choosing to not hire RNs without their BSN.
Ciao, enjoy the sun! Jen
I was just looking at that June 25 with lifeline last night!! I was planning to call today to set it up. I'll see you there!! BTW, I'm taking micro with Barry Anderson right now at PCC RC. It's a time consuming class, but I feel like Barry makes it reasonable. He curves his exams, and then curves again at the end of the course, which is saving my behind right now given that all I can think about is NURSING SCHOOL!!!!
I hate to break it to you but outside of your immediate location, nobody cares where you went to school so long as it was an accredited program. Even locally, it's not that big a deal.
Of more significance are the clinical sites for each school since unit exposure during school is one of the chief means by which new grads are being hired these days.
Sim labs are fun and have their place but, in my opinion, aren't worth much consideration in choosing a school.
Personally, I'd choose the school that provided the most acute-care clinical hours, from which I could graduated from the quickest, and which was the least expensive.
I hate to break it to you but outside of your immediate location, nobody cares where you went to school so long as it was an accredited program. Even locally, it's not that big a deal.
Of more significance are the clinical sites for each school since unit exposure during school is one of the chief means by which new grads are being hired these days.
Sim labs are fun and have their place but, in my opinion, aren't worth much consideration in choosing a school.
Personally, I'd choose the school that provided the most acute-care clinical hours, from which I could graduated from the quickest, and which was the least expensive.
I've been told that top-tiered grad schools look at where you did your undergrad. In fact as I now speak with grad schools, where I did my undergrad is often a question that admission folks ask me.
I've been told that top-tiered grad schools look at where you did your undergrad. In fact as I now speak with grad schools, where I did my undergrad is often a question that admission folks ask me.
Location of undergraduate education is one element of the grad-school admissions process though, from all I've been able to glean, a very small part. Of much more significance are things such as academic success, GRE scores, recommendation letters, research/publication history, entrance essays, and interviews.
A top-notch applicant from any accredited university will be competitive for admission into any graduate program.
and I know that having clinical rotations at OSHU will give me access to things I will never otherwise see. 
dharmawalk
50 Posts
OHSU has a better reputation, not just in rankings but among Charge Nurses who deal with nursing students as well.
I am not knocking linfield, but of the programs they have the Highest cost, and a reputation for the least clinically prepared students. Just my $.02.
I too was accepted at Linfield and I decided against it because it is insanely expensive. Even with a generous scholarship package and a double max on student loans I was still thousands more out of pocket than I could possibly have made a dent in before time to pay for my kids to go to college.
I am anxiously waiting for a letter from one of the other schools I applied to, and I mean ANXIOUS since I didn't have another acceptance before I had to take or leave Linfield. Speaking of which - how did you get a deadline extension past May 1??
Bottom line: You will graduate with 1/3 the debt and more nationwide school recognition from OHSU. But if you still have time, audit a lecture at each. They will let you.