Dilemma! Should I change schools??

NENE RN · Sep 13, 2011

Is there something wrong with your current school? Is the school having issues, ei: pass rates, clinical sites?

Wyu_24 · Sep 13, 2011

Pass rate for NCLEX is very high for graduating students at RHC. The clinical sites are also good, but also very far from my house.

mamayogibear · Sep 13, 2011

If the only reason you would consider changing programs is because of the commute I would stay in the program that you are in. Also you should think about who ever was on the alternate list that did not get in because you took that spot. It would be really unfair to them if you left after one term because it was inconvenient for you. I am moving to a new town to go to nursing school and other students who still live with their parents are commuting an hour each day. I chose to move because for the price of my 500 sqft studio where I live now I can rent a 2 bed house with a garage and a yard in the small town the school is in.

Wyu_24 · Sep 13, 2011

Mamayogibear - The commute is not the only reason I am considering changing schools. GWC was my first priority because of all the great things I have heard about the program. They just built a brand new nursing facility (less than 2-3 years ago) with great labs and classrooms as well. I am also familiar with the campus, because I took all my pre-req's here.

macgirl · Sep 13, 2011

My first question is how old are you? And how badly do you need to graduate an get a job? If you are young and an extra semester isn't an issue... then look at cost of changing programs, is the new school more money? (The newness of the building shouldn't factor in at all. After the first semester you just don't spend that much time in the lab area and spend most of your time in clinicals or in a regular classroom.) And remember the old adage "better the devil you know" By which I mean, if you like your instructors and classmates, and are getting good grades then stay where you are.

mzrainydayz, BSN, RN · Sep 13, 2011

Think long and hard and do what's best for you. I was in the same dilemma I had to choose between two schools to apply to. I wrote down the pros and cons for both schools. The school that I did my prereqs at I chose not to apply to their ADN program so I chose the other school. I am happy with my final decision. All nursing programs are different in some way even though the content is the same. The school that I applied to it will take me a hour to get there versus the other school it was only thirty minutes but I was like if I have to drive the extra I will, it will all be worth it in the end. Good luck! :twocents:

Wyu_24 · Sep 13, 2011

Macgirl - I just turned 24 last week, so I am still pretty young. The tuition isn't an issue because I will be getting a fee waiver. My grades are ok right now, its only the beginning of the 4th week today and we haven't had a major test yet. But, I have had this same professor for a summer nursing fundamentals course and she really frustrates me the way she lectures/tests. Extremely hard to even get a B on a test even after reading the chapters and all the notes.

Mzrainydays - I feel like switching schools might be the best choice. But, I am still unsure of myself. My friends and family also have told me that GWC is the better choice. The time spent commuting is the biggest deal for me. Rather than being stuck in traffic I could be reviewing material and studying. How are you dealing with your long commute everyday?? And what semester are you in?

Ldial1 · Sep 13, 2011

School2006/20072007/20082008/20092009/20102010/2011

Pass# Taken%

Rio Hondo College8385.54%8878.41%9992.93%11691.38%9792.78%

Golden West College10390.29%12393.50%17287.79%14391.61%113

88.50%

http://www.rn.ca.gov/schools/passrates.shtml

I would worry more about the NCLEX passing rate rather than the travel time and the shiny new building. How much travel time are you truly going to save going to the closer school...even if it's an hour... When you look at the big picture, travel time is barely enough

of a reason to change schools. As the previous post said "it is your decision" good luck!

Wyu_24 · Sep 13, 2011

Thanks for posting that info Ldial1. I am not really worried about the NCLEX passing rate for either schools, since they are both pretty high. GWC does have a lower passing rate for 2011 but they also had more students taking it than RHC. Thanks again!

pc2801 · Sep 13, 2011

My professors require us to have a recorder to record lectures. I listen to those lectures while I commute. I may not be fully paying attention as I navigate traffic but the material does get in my head. My school is 25 miles away, and for many years they've been offering clinicals at the two hospitals closest to my home 3 and 8 miles away. I found out that they are no longer offering clinicals at all at these two facilities and I may have to travel 90 miles for an up coming rotation. Since our clinicals require us to be onsite at 6:30 a.m. this means I will be leaving my home no later than 4:15 a.m. I have no idea when I will have time to study when I am getting home at 6 at night and having to go to bed before 10 p.m. The next closest school would be 40 miles away with all clinicals between 30 and 65 miles from my home and their clinicals begin at 7:30 in the morning. Either way I will have a lot of driving in the next two years, but you can find ways to use that time to review materials. Also, if you make flashcards you can pull them out during breaks in your day while you are on campus.

caliotter3 · Sep 13, 2011

New buildings and facilities do not make a good program.