Does where you go for graduate nursing school matter?

[lyndsmar]

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! :)

[lyndsmar]

I guess what I means was better to get a BSN elsewhere that doesn't cost nearly $100k.

Then JUST do the MSN part are case western or wherever you choose.

I think overall, where you get your NP education at matters more than where you get your RN education at.

Yeah, I definitely see what you're saying. Well at this point, I've been accepted to schools that grant me both my RN and MSN, no sense in doing all the applying again. I think this thread is really pushing me over the edge toward Cinci. All said and done it will be 60,000. For the BSN and MSN. And I'll be working in between to cover it, with the opportunity of my place of employment for RN job paying for the rest of the MSN portion. I think if Cinci had a bad reputation that would be one thing, but it's still a respected school. That's what I'm gathering from everything

[jena5111, ASN, RN]

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.

This is precisely why I decided to become an RN via the community college route rather than a direct-entry MSN program. I have a non-nursing bachelor's and fantastic grades; I could have easily gained admission to a direct-entry MSN--heck, my city is home to one of the best programs in the nation.

But I did NOT want to be in employment purgatory upon graduation. I don't think the MSN means a whole lot without the practical experience to back it up. With my humble ADN (from a very reputable nursing program) I had an acute care job offer upon graduation. Every shift gives me the quality of experience that will enhance/support the MSN I hope to obtain in the next couple of years.

And it was pretty cheap!

[mkk99]

This is precisely why I decided to become an RN via the community college route rather than a direct-entry MSN program. I have a non-nursing bachelor's and fantastic grades; I could have easily gained admission to a direct-entry MSN--heck, my city is home to one of the best programs in the nation.

But I did NOT want to be in employment purgatory upon graduation. I don't think the MSN means a whole lot without the practical experience to back it up. With my humble ADN (from a very reputable nursing program) I had an acute care job offer upon graduation. Every shift gives me the quality of experience that will enhance/support the MSN I hope to obtain in the next couple of years.

And it was pretty cheap!

Good luck to you! Are you planning on doing an acute care specialty? I have trouble seeing the value of acute care experience for someone wanting to do primary care, like the original poster. The money is a whole different issue, but the "job purgatory" situation, for primary care NPs, I don't think is the same as for acute care NPs

[bgxyrnf, MSN, RN]

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.

Careful with your generalities if you can't back it up with data.

I graduated from a direct-entry MSN program and better than 90% of our graduates found nursing jobs of various sorts.

You can graduate from one of these programs and successfully compete with all the other new grads for entry-level jobs.

[melissamabd, DNP, RN]

I think you would do well to ask yourself additional questions here. This is far more than blue collar training for a "job". It's a profession, which is nearly the opposite. Will you be furthering your education? It won't be too long before a doctorate is the competitive preparation. Will you be assuming leadership positions on your hospital board? Helping to direct the ANA, NANDA, NLN? Will you be teaching one day? Or pursuing a position at a major teaching and research institution? These are likely factors as your career progresses, so you may need the best possible preparation. I cannot make that judgment for you, but I think price is an overly simple factor. It's time to start thinking about what you want in broader terms. At your level, you will want as much preparation, professional affiliation, mentoring, and credibility as you can get. Use your vision and reach as high as possible!

[lyndsmar]

I am beyond grateful for EVERYONE'S input, but special thanks to those standing up for the grad entry route. Those of you telling me to get my bachelor's first at a cheap community school - I appreciate your concern, but I have done my research, I have put in more effort than I can describe, and worked my butt off to get accepted to these graduate level programs. I am very proud of myself and don't regret my decision. This isn't a topic of whether I should do a grad entry program or not, because that is already set in stone. I am simply trying to decide if I should go to the better school that costs more or save my money and go to the school with the lesser reputation. As a side note about my debate, I've also been extremely impressed with the organization and communication efforts of Case Western and displeased with the reverse of Cincinnati, but still, the cost! That's what I'm really trying to figure out. I am hoping to reach out to a variety of nurses and especially NP's who have graduated from a variety of schools and programs, with varying reputations and prestige, to get a feel for if where they went to grad school really helped or hurt them in their careers. Thanks again to everyone :) I look forward to respond if throughly when I have some time off work and a break from the 12 hour shifts!

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

the cost! That's what I'm really trying to figure out.

$80k is not worth it. If you're going to do a direct entry MSN, find a cheaper school with a solid local reputation. The 'Case Western Reserve' brand name is not all that impressive outside Ohio.

Don't.Do.It...

[RNdynamic]

In the case of nursing school, I would strongly consider cost as a priority before "name brand." Nursing school curriculum is standardized and ultimately no one will end up caring where you went to nursing school or what your grades were. Going to school for nursing is not like attending acting school at Julliard where your alma mater's name carries a great deal of weight.

As far as Case Western, here in the Northeast it's pretty irrelevant. I've heard of it and I would not consider it to be a nationally recognized school. From my understanding, it's well known as an affirmative action mill as well.

[Boomer MS, RN]

I have to admit this is a passionate topic for me. I feel strongly that all RNs should be prepared at the baccalaureate level. Should every RN have a master's? In a perfect world, maybe, maybe not. Every other profession is this country requires a graduate degree, and some, such as Pharmacy and PT now require a doctorate. So I applaud that more nurses are getting a master's. This is not to mean anything disparaging about all the nurses out there with associate degrees. Wish I had a dime for every one I treasured after working with him/her. In my opinion, more education is better, but some people cannot afford the expense. Since you said you have been accepted to both programs, I hope you can continue to seek out others who graduated or in those programs. You'll hear all sorts of opinions.

I think your choices are wonderful, and I disagree that Case Western does not have a good reputation outside of Ohio. I read literature when in school published by professors from Case Western. It is well known in the graduate world. You'll find your way. These schools are looking for good students; I'm not in the academic world but learned an entirely new perspective while at UCSF. It's exciting. One step at a time. I just don't think you can go wrong with either school from what I know.

[RNdynamic]

Case Western is well known in the graduate world? Yeah -- as an affirmative action mill.