CA: Location vs cost? SMU vs CSUN ABSN

[Enursing]

Hello,

I was recently accepted to 2 ABSN programs in Southern California but live in the Bay Area. I am waiting to hear back from SMU but want to know ahead of time how to pick a program.

I know you're not supposed to pick on money alone, but everything i've read said that where you get your BSN doesn't matter, it's all about what you do with the education. If you have another opinion on this, please share!

That said, let's talk money.

SMU is $66k tuition alone, which doesn't include books and other fees listed on their site. (I have not been able to get the actual cost of the ABSN from the internet - if anyone knows please let me know.)

CSUN's program costs $18k, all in. That is a GIANT ($48k) difference. CSUN's loan would cost $240/month, SMU's $771/month.

My question is if going to school in the area you're planning on working in is very helpful in landing a job afterwards. Basically, is it worth the $48k to go to SMU and establish connections in the Bay Area to help me get a job?

For instance, if I go to CSUN and move back to the Bay Area after graduation, will I have a harder time getting a job because I went to school not in the area? How many nurses got their first jobs at a location of their clinicals?

If anyone has any insight on the quality of either program or how to decide, please let me know!

[Enursing]

Hi Snoopy4! You're in a tough spot, and I feel for you. I decided to go to SMU because it made sense for me at the time. However I've heard good things about both of the other programs I was accepted to (Concordia and CSUN).

I think it depends most on where you want to work when you're done and how much debt you're comfortable taking on. The SMU name carries some weight in the Bay Area and therefore might be worth the money if you want to work up here. I can't back that up with evidence, it's just what I've heard, but I've heard it a lot. I can definitely see how working in the hospitals up here and being familiar with how they work can help when you're applying for jobs here. But is that worth the cost to you?

If your family, friends, and your "community" is up here - it might be worth the cost to have them close. Be assured the ABSN program is very demanding. I knew it'd be hard - but not THIS hard, and I was a straight A student before this. If these things don't matter THAT much to you, I'd go with the less expensive option. Less debt is always better in my mind, and the program is so intense that the time flies by.

I do think my decision was the right choice for me, but it really depends on you and your situation. SMU's ABSN is a great program - I have learned so much and have been very challenged and I'm only 4 months in. I feel very supported by the staff, students, and other cohorts. Unfortunately I don't know how other schools are, so I can't speak for that.

So weigh your pros and cons and go with what you're most comfortable with. The strength of the program is important - but you will also get out what you put in. I think it's the clinical assignments that matter the most because that is where you learn how to actually be a nurse. I'm not sure where else you were accepted, but I know both SMU and Concordia have strong relationships with good hospitals.

If you're like me, you're looking for a black and white answer. But it's not there - you have to do what feels most right to you. And get used to this because there is NO black and white in nursing :)

There are typically students that can talk to you about their experience. If you have questions about the programs, call the admissions office and ask to speak with a current or past student. That is a great way to get more info for your decision.

Good luck and PM me if you have any more questions! And most importantly, congratulations!

[Snoopy4]

Wow, thank you Enursing and Aposseadesse for your comments! I really appreciate such thoughtful and helpful advice. Like you said the answer is definitely not black and white, but this has helped tremendously:)

Last question... Is there any way to find out what job prospects are for nursing grads? I've asked admission counselors during interviews, but I feel like their answers are bias. I'd like to go to school in a place with more job opportunities since it sounds like grads usually find jobs in the area they graduate from. Basically, is it worth the SMU tuition to land a potential high-paying nursing job in the Bay Area?

Thank you for any more advice!

[NewMNurse]

So what did you end up doing Snoopy4? What was your experience?

[Snoopy4]

I ended up going to SMU. I completed the ABSN program in June of 2016 and currently work in the ICU at a level 2 trauma hospital. SMU has a good reputation in the Bay Area and most of my classmates found jobs within a couple months of graduating. There seems to be a lot of new grad opportunities lately.

Altho SMU was expensive, the program taught me well and I was able to land a new grad ICU position at a hospital with really high acuity. Our ICU isn't divided by specialty so on a given day, I'll have neuro, cardiac, or trauma patients. We get them all and I love it! Of course there are things that I didn't like about smu, but it got me to where I am today and I'm so happy! Let me know if you have any questions:)

[NewMNurse]

Wow, thanks for answering so quickly! It sounds like you got a job in an area you like.

Yes, I'm getting nervous about the $ commitment to get through the SMU program. I'm supposed to start this June! (I also got into a program at George Washington University in the DC area staying with family.)

I'm concerned about starting pay upon graduation... any info about starts in first year and progression in the Bay? You got a job in an area I think may fit me. (I've been working in health care for years as a phleb.) I'm pretty excited about getting into a new area in health care. I'm sure nursing will keep my attention.

Also, any advice for a new guy at SMU?

Thanks for helping out.

[Snoopy4]

Congrats! Are you starting in SMU's ABSN or BSN program?

Yes, the tuition is hard to swallow. But on the bright side, you will be able to make up your money quickly. Starting pay for new grads is $50-70/hr in most bay area hospitals. Tack on weekend and/or shift differential pay, and it's a good salary. Pay is generally lower in clinic settings, closer to $40/hr, but hours are "normal." You can look up salaries at hospitals like UCSF since they post all their salaries online.

As for starting at SMU, try to take advantage of clinicals. Talk to your instructors and learn as much as you can on the floor. It's uncomfortable at times since most nurses don't want you following them around, but the more you can learn, the better. Ask questions and be willing to help with anything. I remember being so excited to prime tubing for the first time. Basically, be helpful, considerate, and open-minded.

I have mixed feelings about SMU's curriculum. Almost every day I leave work thinking, "well I didn't learn that in nursing school!". But I think that's a common theme for most new grads. The majority of learning takes place once you're out on the floor (and self-research when you get home). In school, I wish I had spent more time understanding the bigger picture, instead of memorizing. It's easy to get sucked into that trap when the topics change so quickly. Also, make lots of friends! Your classmates are great resources and you will help each other tremendously. I still stay in contact with a lot of my classmates and it's nice to talk about our jobs now. Plus, it's very interesting to hear about different units; some went to ED, L&D, psych, peds, OR, clinics, etc. Nursing is a small world and we are all a team!

[NewMNurse]

It's the ABSN program. I'm feeling so happy about this right now. Thanks for your help.