Choosing The Right Nursing School

[Auberry72]

Hi everyone,

After lurking around on this site for a couple months, I've finally decided to make an account and post something on here. Forgive me if I'm posting in the wrong place.

So here is my story:

I have an A.S. degree in science that I completed at the Community College of Philadelphia with the intent to transfer into a B.S. program in Chemistry. After completing one semester of Chemistry at Temple, plus doing some internships over the summer of 2015, I've decided to switch majors into nursing. I feel that I'm making the right choice by going through with this switch.

I'm currently looking for the right nursing program to go for. I would love to attend Temple's nursing program, but their program is not very transfer-friendly, and I would basically have to start over as a freshman and continue for another 4 years. I'm not really sure that's worth the time.

I did get accepted into the Community College of Philadelphia nursing program for the Fall 2016 semester, but I've recently discovered that CCP's First Time NCLEX pass rate is pretty atrocious which has me worried about the quality of that program. I'm now looking into Drexel, TJU and Aria. My ultimate goal is to get a BSN, so if I attend a diploma program, I would most likely then go for an RN-BSN program elsewhere.

I'm just wondering though....does it really matter where one goes to nursing school? Will it hurt my job prospects if I settle for a school that has lower NCLEX passing rates? What if I just study for the NCLEX on my own in order to pass on the first try? I kind of want to just get the ball rolling on my change-of-major, and I'm wondering if I should just go for CCP, or try to go for a school that has better NCLEX pass rates?

Is there anyone here who has recently graduated from the CCP Nursing program who can give me some insight?

[pmabraham, BSN, RN]

Since the entire goal of nursing school is to prepare one to pass the boards the very first time (it runs > $200 each time you take the boards), yes, the NCLEX first time pass rate matters. It matters for at least two reasons: 1) how well the school prepares its students to pass the boards the very first time, and 2) if a school has a first time pass rate that's too low for too long, the school looses its accreditation. Would you want to go to a school that doesn't prepare you well to pass the very first time? And, even if you are self teaching to make up the difference, do you want to be in a position where the school looses it's board approval, and then cannot even take the NCLEX at all (i.e. you have to start at another school)?

[lyssiaa]

Hey Auberry72,

Not a recent CCP grad, but I hope my 2 cents can help.

I recently got my bachelor's degree last year in a subject completely unrelated to healthcare/nursing. I moved to Philly and enrolled in some science courses at CCP because I knew I wanted to work in healthcare. I was accepted to CCP's nursing program and will start this fall too. I did a lot of research before choosing CCP's program. Since I already had a bachelor's, I could've chosen to enroll in a 1-year accelerated BSN program at Jeff/Drexel/Penn, but I decided heavily against that option for many reasons. One big factor was me not wanting to shell out 50k. Another reason is that I didn't want to rush learning a field where I will ultimately end up working with the lives of others. In terms of affordability, I think CCP is a great option to choose since you will also get clinical experience!

It appears from the data that there was a 83.16% first-time NCLEX passing rate for CCP students in Oct 2014-Sep 2015. I know it does say that there was a 67% passing rate the year before that and I wonder why that may be the case-- whether that has to do with the school or not. I will note that CCP's nursing program is still in good standing for its accreditation until its next review sometime in 2019. So if you end up enrolling in the program full time, you will be finished by the time the program gets reevaluated again.

My plan after I finish my ADN at CCP is to enroll in an online RN-BSN program since it will only be another year and cost around $8k (I'm looking at Western Governors University and Ohio University). This can be an option for you if you want to get your BSN in 3 years starting this fall (2 years @ CCP and 1 year online). The forums for WGU and Ohio's programs on All Nurses are fantastic, so don't be afraid of looking into online RN-BSN programs as a later option. I also heard many students in West Chester's new RN-BSN program (Philly Campus) are actually CCP students-- affordable program since it's a state school.

I don't think I can answer your question on whether a low NCLEX passing rate school will hurt job prospects. My thinking is that once you obtain a BSN (no matter from X, Y, or Z school) and pass the NCLEX (no matter what the passing rate from your school), you will be qualified to compete against other BSN applicants for those nursing jobs. No one can take your degree away from you. Competition in Philly is tough, so consider looking into nurse residency programs, internships, applying outside of Philly just to get some experience and then look into Philly jobs later.

I'm all for you sticking it out with CCP's program. I believe if you are a good student, it will all be fine and you will pass. I also don't want to object to you looking into other programs if you feel that your potential and growth can thrive at a different program. You seem to have done a lot of thinking and researching, so keep it up. All the best and good luck on your journey!

[Blue Robin]

Anytime you have been accepted into a nursing school, take it. There are a lot of students who would love to be in your place, now in terms the right nursing school. CCP is not a bad choice, it is a cheaper option but you will work in the same hospital sites and clinics as students in Jefferson University, Drexel, Temple and Aria. The main difference is that your classes will more clinically intensive whereas the other students focus on both clinical and theory classes.

I don't think hospitals care that much about where you went to school as long as you have your license and now they want nurses with BSN's if you want to work in the main hospitals and serve in the military.

My suggestion is stick with it, take that spot cause students would love to have your spot. Another is that once you graduate you can go get your RN-BSN which is cheaper alternative and hopefully you will be working.

Now if you want to go to another school with better pass rate, I would suggest Aria Health which is excellent, Jefferson University and Drexel.

[pmabraham, BSN, RN]

Yesterday at clinical, our clinical instructor shared that she's been talking with local hospitals over whom they would hire all things being equal except one thing: A person who got their BSN/MSN in the classroom (i.e. on a physical campus) or online. She shared the feedback she's been getting is in the classroom (on a physical campus) would be hired over someone who got their degree on-line.

[lyssiaa]

Interesting feedback to keep in mind when choosing BSN (and MSN) programs. Is this in Central PA?

[pmabraham, BSN, RN]

This was in the areas of Dauphin, Lancaster, and York counties.

[smarie0708]

I was in your similar situation I got accepted to Bucks (which is on probation due to not enough students passing the NCLEX) which worried me. Yes I could study on my own to pass, but I have also heard that the instructors arn't the best there and don't really help students - which is opposite of how Aria presented its self, so I chose Aria and will be starting in the fall for a number of reasons being, high pass rate, high student retention rate and the feel of when I went there, it felt more of a family feeling like they really care and want the students to succeed. From there I will get my diploma in nursing but in 6 months after I will receive my BSN from Penn State with their collaboration. And bonus* you only pay Aria tuition for the RN-BSN with Penn State.