Deciding which school is best for my future Nursing plans

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Hello everyone,

I have been lurking on AllNurses.com for a while now but I feel like I have some questions worth asking now.

My background: I am a student who has finished the prerequisites for most 2 year RN programs in Washington state. I just completed a CNA program and working part time as a CNA and part time in another job. I do not have any degrees other than my High School one.

My plans: I want to go to a 2 year program for RN and eventually go on to a 4 year (such as UW Bothell) and get my BSN.

My questions:

  1. Is it better to go to a school that is convenient to get to on a daily bases or go to a school that is better and further away?
  2. Does anyone know if certain schools work with UW Bothell Bachelors for RN better than others?

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I know specifically because I applied to their program for Fall that Everett CC has classes directly on their campus for the UW Bothell RN-BSN program. You take the classes a few days a week at Everett and get your BSN from UW. A BSN from UW would be great regardless of where you take the courses it's still a BSN from an incredible nursing school. Check each individual school's website and see which ones work with UW Bothell. I know Bellevue does I just don't know if you can take courses at Bellevue during RN-BSN or if they just have some sort of articulation agreement. I don't know about Shoreline but maybe they do as well.

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I also have applied to EVCC for Fall. I am partial to that school, however it is the closest to me. I think because the programs are all tough, going to a school that is close will be beneficial as you may have long hours and adding drive time with traffic could add stress to getting there. UW does work closely with Everett and would be a very good option. Good luck! I am getting nervous now, can't wait to hear something, even tough I know it could be a couple more weeks!

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I go to Bellevue College. The nursing program is a very good one, and has been around for a long time. They do have an articulation agreement with UW, but you would have to do the RN-BSN program at the UW campus in Bothell. Bellevue College also just started an RN-BSN program of their own. I would say pick which ever accredited school is closest to you. I have known a couple of people who decided on Lake Washington Technical College becaue they are easier to get into than some of the other programs but they are not accredited and UW will not accept credits from them. Here is a list of the accredited Associates programs in the State:

http://www.acenursing.net/accreditedprograms/directorysearch.asp

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Thanks everyone~! I didn't know that Lake Washington Tech was not accredited for UW so that was good to learn. I am really aiming for Bellevue so hopefully my TEAS test tomorrow goes well :)

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Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff.

IMO, and I might be flamed, but I would stay away from Tech school's in general. They don't seem to have credits that transfer easily.

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Lake Washington got accredited this year.

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Specializes in Emergency Medicine.

Where did you find out they are accredited jaycam? I corresponded with the admissions counselor and knew they were working on it but never heard they got it.

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As of what I can find, LWT is NOT nationally accredited. they may be regionally accredited, but they are not Nationally acredited.

Here is the link to all of the acredited institutions in WA state for Nursing Schools and their programs.

http://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/Pubs/669080.pdf

For the most current NCLEX pass rates:

http://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/6000/669336.pdf

I look at this often which has really helped me in my decision making.

Anyone doing the application cycles now?

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Thanks everyone~! I didn't know that Lake Washington Tech was not accredited for UW so that was good to learn. I am really aiming for Bellevue so hopefully my TEAS test tomorrow goes well :)

How did your TEAS go? Are you still planning on Bellevue?

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