ASN question ~ hospital-based or community college

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I get the difference between BSN and ASN, what I don't understand is the difference between hospital-based nursing programs and community college programs. I'm in the Cincinnati area and know of two hospital-based programs (neither are Diploma programs anymore; both are Associate degrees) and a few community college programs. The CC ones are about half the cost. You don't finish any quicker with one or the other. What is the difference? Does the hospital one prepare you better? If the exam passing rates are similar, is that all that matters? Could they have similar passing rates but one not prepare you for the reality of nursing? The hospital programs cost $24,000 (total) while the CC cost around $10,000 (total). I could get my BSN for $24,000 at a local university. I know it's hard to compare two programs since you have to choose one or the other, but can anyone help me out? Is it really worth twice as much to go to a hospital-based program. And then, of course, when I think I should just choose one of the hospital programs, I start thinking "why wouldn't I just get my BSN for the same cost?" In case anyone is from the Cincy area, the schools I am mentioning are as follows (if you know any specifics about these programs, I'd appreciate it if you would share):

Hospital-based:

Good Samaritan College of Nursing & Health Sciences

The Christ College of Nursing & Health Sciences

CC:

Cincinnati State Technical & Community College

University of Cincinnati ~ Raymond Walters College

BSN:

Northern Kentucky University

Thanks in advance.

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Specializes in Ortho/Neuro.

I am in an ASN program at a private college and the tuition is a lot higher than the community college programs. The advantage to my private college is that there was no wait list when I applied. The community college at the time had a roughly 3-4 year waitlist. Another advantage to my ASN program is that you are able to complete most of your BSN classes (everything except the actual nursing classes) while finishing your ASN. After I recieve my ASN (May 2006) I only have one year of part-time classes (once a week) to get my BSN. I liked the flexibility that offered me. I have a few friends who attend the community college and they would easily have another 2 years if they chose to get their BSN. If you are only choosing to get your ASN and are willing to possibly be put on a waitlist for your ASN I think the community college would be fine. Good Luck!

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Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.

I don't know if it's this way everywhere, but around here, community college prgrams are associate degrees, while hospital programs are diplomas, both for R.N.

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

My state has no hospital programs left. I understand that "up north" they still exist. I"m "down south."

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I am in NYS and where I am there are 3 college AAS programs, 2 hospital based-AAS programs and two BSN.

Trust me when I say that I have researched the stucco out of all of them. In my area the hospital based programs have a way higher NCLEX pass rate. One is 100% and the other is 95%. The college runs around 85%.

The hospital based programs have more clinical hours and start clinicals in about six weeks-where the college based program starts somewhere in the 2nd semester.

Both of the hospital programs will hire you on as a student nurse assistant after completing the first semester and both will pay for your tuition in full if you agree to work there after graduation.

So, as you can see, where I am-hospital based is the only way I plan on going when I do it. If they are both similar in your area-follow your gut and go to where you are comfortable.

Some people apply and go where they get in, some go where the financial aid is better or costs are lower...it all depends on what you need and want out of a program.

Much luck to you! It is so hard to choose a program (yet isn't it exciting!)

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I graduated from a hospital program after I already had a BS, and I would not have done it any other way. The clinical training was the best. And I had all options open to me.

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Specializes in RN: L&D, LPN: Med/Surg, CNA: MedSurg/LTC.

Would you do a hospital based program if you plan on getting your master's? Is there a diploma-BSN or diploma-ADN or something? Seems like all the RN jobs require a ADN.

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Most hospital-based programs actually now offer the ADN, not strictly the Diploma.

The most important thing is what you are going to learn and how you are going to use it, hospital-based programs are known for their clinical training and usually excel at that. If you look at it the other way, the insructors are employees of the facility, they are not guest instructors there. Makes a big difference when getting assignments, etc. They got the first choices always, at least in my program.

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