Did anyone get their BSN at a very prestigious school?

[nsm1639]

I have been accepted into an ABSN program at a very prestigious university that is known for having very rigorous undergraduate classes. Its nursing program is also very highly ranked. While I'm humbled and excited, I'm terrified at the same time. My first degree was in a non-science field, and my school was definitely not as prestigious as the school that I've been accepted to for my ABSN. Now, I know that nursing programs are going to be hard no matter which school you go to, but I'm wondering if the material that is covered in the nursing classes at these prestigious schools differs in depth and detail to the that in nursing classes taught at other schools. I know that we are being taught the same "kinds" of classes at every nursing school, but I think it's safe to say that the material covered in classes for a biology degree at Stanford, per se, is much more challenging than that at a small local college. However, I heard that exam questions at any nursing school are pretty similar because they try to make them as close as possible to the NCLEX-style questions . Maybe the prestigious schools give out assignments that are more difficult and grade them harder? I'm not sure. If there's any of you who obtained your BSN at a very prestigious school, can you share your experience?

[blackberrymousse]

I'm very curious about this too. Most highly ranked BSN programs are very disproportionately expensive (given the projected salaries of nurses) and I'm wondering if it's worth it. What makes these BSN programs worth 75-100k in tuition? Do their graduates get amazing jobs straight out of graduation/right after taking the NCLEX?

I went to a prestigious university for undergrad and while I enjoyed my time there, I don't think it was worth the cost and I could've gotten just as much from a less expensive private school or even a public school. I wonder if it truly does make a big difference and matters more when it comes to BSN programs.

[Calalilynurse]

I went to a public university with a prestigious nursing program that is has the #1 to top 5 pass rate in out state every year. I think that's only because all of our test were nclex style, on computer, no going back. You also got no degree if you didn't get a certain score on the comprehensive ati. Their clinical game was lacking in that we got to very little outside preceptorship and I have noticed this with other bsn programs. The best hands on prepared nurses I have worked with have been ADNs. My degree for 3.5 years was like $35k. NCLEX pass rate is more important than level of prestige on paper especially when you consider adns and bans in my area start out at the same base rate.

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

One of the primary things you need to be successful in nursing is the ability to analyze data. So, here's your assignment: take a dive into how 'prestige' is assessed and ranked. Then, see how these factors impact the practice of nursing by graduates.

What you'll find is ZERO correlation between student/ graduate success and prestige.

I wouldn't waste my hard-earned money, because- frankly- no one cares where you went to school. They care if you 1) passed NCLEX 2) can do the job.

true story.

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

I went to a state university ABSN program. Nowhere near "prestigious". I got a high quality education and several unique opportunities such as a disaster simulation with the National Guard Urban Search and Rescue and a health fair for the inmates at a Maximum Security Federal Penitentiary. The ABSN program has a 100% NCLEX pass rate with 1/2 of my cohort passing at 75 questions. All of us found new grad positions fairly quickly. I got a position out of state despite the fact that nearly all of their new grad hires being from local schools. The fact that I didn't go to a prestigious school did not play a factor in my hire.