Does it matter where you go to school?

[jamie0110]

I am considering going to Unitek college in Fremont, CA which is a more like a western career college kind of school and is not a community college or state school program. I am considering going to Unitek because of the long wait lists for all the other nursing programs in my area. My biggest fear is that my future employers will take candidates from other colleges over me because they have their RN and have their AA or bachelors. Does it really matter where you go to school? Any feedback would be appreciated.

[Spritenurse1210, BSN, RN]

After some research, i have discovered that both the LPN program and the LPN to RN bridge program are approved through the board of nursing in the state of CA. My question to you is, what do you want to pursue? I would recommend that if you do go to this college that you start out with the LPN program and work your way through to the RN program. Both programs are state board approved. MHO

[caliotter3]

If you get an RN after attending Unitek and the employer wants an RN, you have a good chance. Particularly once you start getting experience. Employers do not care much about the school you attend. But still, someone with a degree will have an advantage over you if Unitek does not grant degrees. Your best option is to graduate from a college, four year or two year, that grants degrees. You might want to obtain your initial nursing license after attending Unitek, then move on to further your education as soon as possible.

[mamamerlee, LPN]

If you go to the RN program, it is an ADN program. A good place to start!

[twentytenRN]

Not really, but you need to make sure the nursing school is accredited by the NLNAC, otherwise if you decide to further your nursing education, your past credits won't be counted. You'd still be able to get your license if it weren't accredited because I don't believe any nursing program would be able to hang around if the BON's wouldn't recognize the education!

Furthermore though, I'd recommend you get at least an associate degree and go for your RN. BSN is even better. There's a lot of competition out there in a tough job market and employers do sometimes prefer a BSN over an ADN, but it doesn't neccessarily matter where it came from. I was just asked, "Do you have a degree or diploma in Nursing?" The subject of where I obtained my degree was irrelevant and never came up, although it is listed on my resume.

[Michael A RN]

The area that I work in has both a four-year college thatgrants BSNs and a community college that grants ADNs. For many years, the hospitals would hire the ADNs over the BSNs due to the programs each had. The BSN program was having problems with accreditation and the pass rate for the NCLEX was around 50%. The ADN program was passing around 94%. Talkingwith HR reps from the hospitals, they believed the ADNs were better prepared then the BSNs. Personally I think you get what you pay for and what you put into whatever program you go to. Get the RN and if you want keep improving yourself with as much education or certifications as you can.

[RunningRNBSN]

I agree with the poster who advised that you check in to the NLNAC accreditation. Just because a school is approved by the State Board of Nursing does not mean it is accredited by the NLNAC. Without NLNAC accreditation, you could face difficulties in pursuing a bachelors or masters degree (if you decide to further your education, which I hope you do).

[annaRNC]

For me where I did my undergrad was a good school but not an ivy. It made no difference in job offers but what helped the most was my externship and working as a tech. This is going back about 4 years but I think most places look for things like that especially now in hiring. For grad school I am going ivy because I think it matters more. It better because it's darn expensive.

[leslie :-D]

when i was going on interviews after nsg school, all the prospective employers commented (positively) on the school i went to.

to some, it matters.

leslie

[GooeyRN, ADN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN]

I haven't been asked WHERE I went to school or what my degree was, I was just asked if my license was current/any issues with it. I couldn't tell you WHERE my co-workers went to school. :)

[DirtyBlackSocks]

Take continuing education into consideration.

If you just want to get your RN license and leave it at that, then it's fine.

If you want to bridge into other practices, such as NP. You need to make sure those credits transfer towards an ADN/BSN so you can bridge into a Master's degree, etc.

[kevano51]

everyone says experience matters, experience matters but for someone who is young and goes straight through for a bsn, how to get experience, at some point they are out of college and hitting the streets looking for a paycheck??