Does where you go for graduate nursing school matter?

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Hi all,

I am planning on beginning a "graduate entry" nursing program this Fall. For those of you that aren't familiar, these are unique programs designed for those that already hold a bachelor's degree in an area unrelated to nursing. Students become an RN quickly, in 1-2 years, and then progress directly on to an MSN specialty of their choice, either full-time or part-time while working as an RN.

I have been lucky enough to be accepted into a few of these programs, and I'm excited to start, but I can't decide where to go! I am deciding between Case Western and University of Cincinnati. With both of these programs, I will end as a nurse practitioner (most likely family or pediatric - primary care, haven't decided just yet). I think they both seem great, but through research it seems that Case Western has a significantly better reputation - 8th MSN school in the country this year vs. Cinci at 54th.

The issue lies in the fact that Case is more than double the cost of Cinci (around 80,000 more when it's all said and done). With or without knowing specifics of either of these schools, my question is this - do you think it matters which school I go to? Is it worth it to take out a lot more loans now? Will the name of the school pay off in the long wrong, or am I better off to save my money? I feel that for a graduate entry program the circumstances are a little different; many people are skeptical of a program that is this accelerated and compressed, so would it be beneficial to go to a better school so future employees can be certain I've gotten an appropriate education? I just don't know. Any insight would be much appreciated!

P.S., I haven't had much luck reaching out to alumni of either school, so if anyone knows of anyone, please let me know!

Thanks! :)

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Case Western has a prestigious reputation in the Upper Midwest, but might be unknown to people in other parts of the country.

There's no way I'd spend $80,000 on an educational product when I can earn that same degree for less than half the tuition and fees elsewhere.

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Case Western has a prestigious reputation in the Upper Midwest, but might be unknown to people in other parts of the country.

There's no way I'd spend $80,000 on an educational product when I can earn that same degree for less than half the tuition and fees elsewhere.

Yea. For example, I'm in the South East and I've never heard of them.

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Specializes in ER/Tele, Med-Surg, Faculty, Urgent Care.

I paid $9,800 for my Masters for FNP.

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Specializes in MCH,NICU,NNsy,Educ,Village Nursing.
I paid $9,800 for my Masters for FNP.

I think mine was around that much as well, except it was a post-master's. I don't think price does always quality make.......

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

No. It really doesn't matter.

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Thanks. My situation is different, though. The NP portion will cost me around 30,000. The first 2 years is a "masters of nursing" degree. I end as a master's prepared RN. That part is 92,000. Still expensive, but yeah

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

You may wish to research this prior to going directly to MSN. Most who do that find themselves unemployed due to the vast majority of MSN level nursing positions requiring 3-5 years or more of acute care nursing experience. Therefore they are overqualified for acute care nursing and underqualified for the positions requiring the MSN degree/postgraduate certificate.

I am not trying to rain on your parade, but you would be unwise to proceed forward without investigating and giving it consideration. That is a huge amount to spend on student loans and come due without a decent chance for employment.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

And yeah...that mount of money is absolutely absurd to take on for what nurses make, even MSN or nurse practitioners.

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Specializes in retired LTC.

Very good advice, not.done.yet. Hope OP really listens to it and most others'.

Case Western is private? That would explain the high cost. Personally, I don't think ANY NAME is worth that cost in today's job market.

Just my $0.03!

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Thanks for this! You are definitely right, and I've done quite a bit of research on this and have found the same thing. That is why I'm only considering programs in which I will get my RN, and then work as an RN while going to school as an NP. Possibly even working full time for at least a year before starting any schooling. When it's all said and done, if I work part time throughout the MSN portion, I will graduate with a minimum of RN experience under my belt. This is why I have chosen to deny other programs that don't allow you to work (Emory, OSU)

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Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine.

So, the total will be $30000 + $92000? For MSN with projected salary around $80000 in Ohio? :uhoh3::wideyed:

Gosh, you can go to medschool just as well for that sort of money. And yeah, the school doesn't matter that much if you are not going to high academia.

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