Community College vs Private College

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Specializes in CNA, RN Student.

What's the difference?

A new private college opened up in my area and they offer an ADN program which is where I'm headed in my Community College's School of Nursing. The difference is they are full time, pretty much guaranteed entry with a highschool diploma and have an earlier start date (within the next few months as opposed to waiting to see if I even get accepted to my school's nursing school and starting in september or even spring of '08) and finish faster (I think a little over a year versus 2 years)

So.....sounds pretty appealing right? So how do graduates of private college's measure up against actual college ADN graduates? I'm willing to switch and start my nursing career sooner if the degree is equivalent in the world of health occupations. I have 2 kids who could really splurge on extra mommy time if I do this, but I want a degree that's worth it and meaningful.

Anyone have any insight or info on this? THANKS guys!

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I myself have always wondered about this. It's too hard to get into the nursing program here at our community college. The likes of Bryman College & University of Phoenix (both in California), does anyone know how they're considered in standard compared to ADNs from generic community colleges?

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I myself have always wondered about this. It's too hard to get into the nursing program here at our community college. The likes of Bryman College & University of Phoenix (both in California), does anyone know how they're considered in standard compared to ADNs from generic community colleges?

I don't think the schools you mentioned do an ADN program do they? University of phoenix is an online program and I believe they only do LVN-RN or RN-BSN bridge type programs and they are quite hard to complete from what I've heard.

As far as private in General their tuition is usually considerably higher then CC I would take a look at their program see what they NCLEX pass rates are and decide from there.

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Specializes in CNA, RN Student.

As far as private in General their tuition is usually considerably higher then CC I would take a look at their program see what they NCLEX pass rates are and decide from there.

Do you think that is all that matters, if in the end the student passes NCLEX then he or she is just as qualified from a private college than someone from a community college? I mean you would think so right, but how do private schools measure up among competing CC graduates when it comes to job selection?

I know it's really expensive up front but I think in the long run it ends up being less expensive for me anyway considering I have 2 children.

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Specializes in Looking for a career in NICU.

The first thing I would do is take a look at their pass rates on the state boards. There is a competitive CC program here but their pass rate is very low in comparison with other nursing schools.

If they are very similar, then the 2nd aspect I would look at is cost. Don't pay back thousands of dollars in student loans if you don't have to.

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