Does it matter where you get your degree from?

Mattigan, RN · Sep 24, 2002

Hi Sunny. Welcome to Allnurses.

No, I don't think it matters. It needs to be an accredited school of nursing - if you ever want to go for masters or some certifications but other than that I don't think it makes much difference. I know all nursing schools are different as to what nursing model and conceptual /theoretical frameworks etc. they use. Some schools may be better than others but generally, you get out of it what you put into it. Nursing school just gives you a foundation to begin to learn. I was amazed at all the things that were stressed as so important and I didn't find a place for them in my practice at all. Some others I entirely reworked to where the instructors I had would not recognize it as anything they taught.

Stargazer · Sep 24, 2002

As long as your school is NLN-approved, it shouldn't make a significant difference in getting or not getting your first post-grad job. Some nursing programs have a better rep or a little more cachet than others, but it's not quite equivalent to hundreds of Ivy League law- or business-school grads duking it out for the most prestigious positions. The need for nurses is just too great.

Your school performance and/or work experience are going to count for more. That said, it does pay to research your top choices carefully and make sure their nursing practice and teaching/learning theories are compatible with your own style and beliefs, for 2 reasons:

One--you'll be spending the next 4 years of your life there, and you don't want to spend it muttering "Bullsh*t!" under your breath in every lecture. Two---although it shouldn't be a barrier in obtaining a post-grad job-- for better or for worse, you and your school will somewhat reflect on each other for years to come. (While in clinical, wait and see if you don't hear people saying, "Yeah, State U. nurses are always SO...." whatever.) :)

Best of luck to you.

apricotkittycat · Sep 25, 2002

This is an interesting question as I have an ADN and would like to get my BSN but would like to find something I can do online in my free time (yeah right). There are so many out there I don't even know where to begin.

renerian, BSN, RN · Sep 26, 2002

I got my BS from a distance school as I work so much and needed a flexible schedule. It is accredited and several people have made faces during an interview when I said I did distance. My major is in nutrition and it is HARD to do distance. No one there to help you. I think it does matter to some people. I am getting my MS the same way though and I am just as proud of it.

renerian

Nurse Ratched, RN · Sep 26, 2002

As long as you have a valid license when you're done, I don't think anyone gives a rip where your degree came from (Cracker Jack U. lol :)) Besides, most of your learning happens after you start working. (No way does school do an adequate job of simulating real life nursing.)

Tim-GNP · Sep 27, 2002

The only thing that employers care about is that you have a current, unrestricted RN license.

I do get asked about my nursing pin, though... two interlocked triangles with a mace in the center---it looks similar to the pin that the people from star-trek wore. It's sort of a strange looking little thing. That's the only time people have ever asked me about my school.

globalRN · Sep 27, 2002

That's right...employers are more interested in you, your skills and your experience. No one that I have encountered has ever asked about GPA. They want to know what certification or degrees...period. And as Tim-GNP noted in one of his previous posts....valid DEA number.

Only advice...if you might do graduate work ...try to keep a GPA of > 3.0 in undergrad. I NEVER thought I would go to grad school but did

llg, PhD, RN · Sep 27, 2002

I agree with what Stargazer wrote. While it is not the same as in some professions in which the school you went to makes a BIG difference, it is not totally inconsequential, either.

First, you want to go to a good program so that you get a good education. Yes, great people can make the best of a bad program and do fine ... and yes, "horrible" people graduating from good programs can be horrible nurses .... but wouldn't you rather give yourself the best chance possible by attending a good nursing school?

Also, I have hired nurses for both entry level positions and advanced practice positions for many years -- at several different hospitals in different parts of the country. While the schools of the applicants are not the most important criteria in selecting which candidate to choose, it sometimes is a factor. Most managers know which are the good schools and which are the not-so-good schools in their area. If there is more than 1 applicant for a position, that can make a difference. For example, if a new grad is applying to work in a ICU that is only wants to hire 5 new grads at this time and there are 7 applicants, the school issue may be the deciding factor.

llg