Does it matter where you go to nursing school?

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For some careers, like a lawyer, it really matters where you go to school. If you do not go to a top law school or graduate at top of your class in an average law school you are not going to get a good job. How much does this matter when it comes to nursing?

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Absolutely.

Established institutions will have established relationships

They will attract top talent from the other students, to the teacher, clinical opportunities etc...

Reputation is important. There are plenty of places out there willing to take your money.

Ask what it is your paying for.

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Not as much as it does in law. But it can make a difference. There are some schools with really outstanding reputations, there are some schools with really lousy reputations. The vast majority of schools are somewhere in the middle. Going to a great school can be an advantage, but it's not going to "make or break" your future career. As long as you stay away from the really bad schools, you will be okay.

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Specializes in PCT, RN.

This doesn't necessarily make a difference.

My mom went to an accredited community college, nothing fancy, and managed to work in some pretty important hospitals and clinics in the area and is going on to get her CRNA.

It's mainly about how you perform in school and how your NCLEX turned out.

Like elkpark said, as long as you stay away from the really bad schools, you'll be okay.

Having a prestigious school on your resume will look great, but be careful you don't get too deep into student loan debt by doing that. A previous post had been from this girl about going to a school that costs $90,000...don't do something like that.

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Specializes in NICU.

It all depends on whether you are staying in the same town or plan on moving. A community college may have great reputation with the local hospitals, but if you move out of state then it doesn't transfer it's reputation. What matters when picking a school is it's NCLEX pass rate and cost. If the pass rate is low (

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I think it does a little bit, but its not going to make or break you. Getting a degree from a highly reputable or known institution in any field is going to give you a leg up. However, I think it matters a lot less in health care than it would in a career in law or business. The one exception I would guess is non-accredited organizations.

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