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Discussion

Does where you go to school matter?

Just out of curiosity, how many you have gone to schools that are not known nationally and have future employers ask about them? How many of you have gone to a school that are top ranked and known nationally and feel like you had a better chance of being hired due to your education?

I will be picking out where I am doing my RN-BSN and eventually my graduate school (my personal goal is DNP) within the next year or 2. I'm an army wife and I always have the possibility of having to move so I don't want to throw myself under a bus if I choose a more locally known, cost-efficient school as opposed to a nationally known, and probably pricier school.

So when it comes down to it, would you rather sacrifice money vs the school name?

  • Quote

    • Does where you go to school matter? 30 members have participated

    1. 1. Does where you go to school matter?

      • Yes
        46%
        14
      • No
        53%
        16

    Please sign in or register to vote in this poll.

    Featured Replies

    • Author

    Please leave any comments if you have any, I would really like to understand where the hiring manager's point of view is on it. Thank you all for voting and leaving future comments

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    An RN is an RN, as long as you don't go to a school that is notoriously easy to get in to just because it's so pricey that nobody wants to go to it, I don't think it really matters where you actually attend school at. Try to pick a school with a good NCLEX pass rate.

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    I do most of the hiring at my building. I ask the new grads where they went to school because there really is a difference in the quality of the graduates. Mostly I'm just curious. After your first job I'll bet no one asks or even cares.

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    • Author

    I understand that an RN is an RN. But I guess I was more interested in grad schools- does it matter even more then or is it not as important as it is for your RN.

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    Some hospitals specifically will not hire RNs who graduated from schools that are not CCNE or NLNAC accredited. Period.

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    ... also, CCNE & NLNAC schools will accept transfer units from CCNE & NLNAC schools only.

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    From what I've observed, where you attend school has little significance outside of the possibility of getting hired on at the site where you do your clinical hours.

    In a local market, some hospitals may have some preference towards graduates of specific programs in their area but will tend to cherry pick folks with whom they have some experience through clinical time or preceptorships.

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    Once you become an experienced RN, who cares. However, it seems to help a little getting the first job as a new grad.

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    I think it has more to do with you...it's not where you learn, but what you learn. :) However, I'm sure a prestigious school would make it easier for you to get a position.

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    Does it matter if someone gets an associates degree vs a bachelor's degree?

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    • Author

    I personally have accreditation on top of my list so I won't have to worry about that. So basically as long as it is ccne or nlnac acc. it doesn't matter whether if I choose a well known or lesser known school?

    MLS- I personally am starting with an ADN then working my way up so I can start working sooner and gaining valuable work experience. Also, if I work someplace that will reimburse tuition if I work there during school, I'll be able to save money that way. However, if you choose to get an ADN I strongly encourage you to further your education always. We as nurses are responsible for making sure we are up to date on our knowledge.

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    • Experts

    It matters at the ends of the spectrum, but not in middle. By that, I mean that if you go to a school with an exceptionally bad reputation it can hurt you -- and if you go to a school with an exceptionally good reputation, it can help you. But if you go to one of the schools in the large "middle range" of perceived quality, it won't matter much -- particularly for degrees beyond your basic entry-level one.

  • Quote

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