Does it matter if I get my nursing degree at Capella vs another school?

I've been accepted at UNCW and Capella for MSN in education. UNCW won't start until June and should take a year. I can start Capella now. I did Capella FlexPath for my BSN and enjoyed it, I finished 12 courses in 48 weeks. So I'm thinking I can probably finish the MSN in under a year, so the cost would be about the same. Would I have the same chances of getting hired with Capella as I would with UNCW? They are both regionally accredited.

Specializes in Education.
On 1/5/2022 at 4:39 PM, MrsC16 said:

I got my MSN - Nursing education at Capella, through the flex path. I had no problem finding a nurse educator position. I am currently studying for the CNE exam and feel their curriculum aligned well with the CNE competency.

I ended up going to Capella and just accepted a position as a nurse educator for 17 physician office. I also want to take the CNE.

Specializes in Education.
MentalKlarity said:

Will it keep you from getting a job in general? No.

Will it make you less competitive for desirable jobs? Yes! I have had numerous employers tell me I was interviewed/chosen over other candidates because of the schools on my resume. In a sea of phoenix and walden graduates that are a dime a dozen, standout with a school that is known for quality versus a for-profit program. I worked for an employer that refused to allow NP students, for example, from for-profit programs such as Walden due to safety issues and poor quality. Who wants THAT on their resume!?

I didn't have an issue with my Capella degree with any of the positions I applied to and ended up with a very "desirable" job making much more than I was, with a lot of autonomy, room for creativity, and a great schedule as a Nurse Educator ?

Specializes in Psychiatry.
1 hour ago, DeLynn said:

I didn't have an issue with my Capella degree with any of the positions I applied to and ended up with a very "desirable" job making much more than I was, with a lot of autonomy, room for creativity, and a great schedule as a Nurse Educator ?

Congrats! Some people who buy lottery tickets also end up winning! It doesn’t make it the norm or a safe bet. 

Specializes in Psychiatry.
2 hours ago, DeLynn said:

It's quite possible for some to not have any problem finding a job they want no matter where they received their MSN, as in my case and I'm sure many others. It's not easy to graduate from Capella and graduates are not "a dime a dozen" or everyone would get their MSN. 

I mean, the Capella acceptance rate is 100%, they advertise getting a masters in 13 months and “payment plans”, they have coupons for the admissions fee, and for admission they only require a bachelors (with a 2.8 GPA!?), RN license, and application. They have start dates basically every few weeks. They pride themselves in having no test score, interviews, or reference letters required. If that’s not a joke what is? My aunt went to be an X-ray tech at her local community college and had harder entrance requirements!

Specializes in oncology.
2 hours ago, DeLynn said:

students must receive a B or higher in all courses in the MSN program.

This is the usual norm. Occasionally a 'C' will put you on probation. 2 'Cs" and you are out.

 

2 hours ago, DeLynn said:

The required GPA is actually 3.0, not 2.8,

This is the result of grade inflation. 

Specializes in Psychiatry.
4 hours ago, DeLynn said:

Capella University is accredited by CCNE, so all of these statements are mute. Nothing from your statement means that the school does not teach nurses how to become a Master's prepared Nurse Educator. The required GPA is actually 3.0, not 2.8, and students must receive a B or higher in all courses in the MSN program. I learned so much from the program! I was also accepted into a state school, which did not require interviews or reference letters and states: "At just $10,630 our online MSN Nurse Educator program is one of the most affordable around, and you can complete your degree in as few as 12 months". And what does a discount on admission fees have anything to do with the quality of the school? NC State and Duke offer an application fee waiver, I guess that means they aren't a legit school??

Calling someone's school a "joke" is unprofessional. I think this forum is to encourage and help fellow nurse educators. 

From the website:

Applicants to the MSN in Nursing Education must provide the following information for admission:

A bachelor’s degree from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, or from an internationally recognized institution

Your official BSN transcripts, with a cumulative grade point average of 2.8 or higher on a 4.0 scale

Verification of your current, unrestricted RN license to practice in the United States

A valid, government-issued form of photo identification

A $50 nonrefundable application fee, required at the time of application, to cover transcript requests, transcript evaluation, and other administrative costs

GRE and GMAT are not required for admission.

Specializes in Education.

FYI, if you have a 2.8 GPA you need to do extra steps to get accepted, it's not automatic. The program also requires teaching hours in the practicum for the MSN ED and the program covers curriculum development, implementation and evaluation (A LOT actually). I had absolutely no problems in receiving several offers as a clinical educator with my Capella MSN ED. 

Specializes in Advanced Practice, Critical Care.
5 hours ago, londonflo said:

I reread the OP's initial comment and the program she/he was interested in was for preparation for a Nurse Educator in a Hospital. She/he seems to have been successful in completing an MSN program and has acquired the job she desired.

Thus, my original comment: "Does it matter where you go to grad school to obtain an educator position (especially a clinical educator), I'm going to say no. Employers do not care for the most part. I would say it matters more if you are getting an advanced degree for a clinical role such as CRNA, NP, CNM, or CNS. "

It seems I was very specific since I actually named the four advanced practice roles that require 500 hours (or more) of clinical practicum.  As CNSs, you and I already know this. Hospitals do not care what program was attended by their clinical educators. Academia may or may not care. Doctoral programs care where your undergrad and masters degrees were earned. .

Since the OP is already employed in academia and the employer has made it clear they don't even really care which terminal degree is obtained, they are probably not going to nit pick over where it was obtained. But I stand by my opinion to attend the best program you can afford in terms of time and money. In the end, it is all about the effort you put into learning and earning your degree.

If you are going to put in the time, you might as well study an area of interest or you will be stressed and miserable. Especially when it comes time to do your dissertation, capstone, or project (depending on your program) because you will be living with that subject in depth for quite a while!

 

Specializes in Advanced Practice, Critical Care.

My mistake as I thought she was looking at a faculty position. A terminal degree seems a little excessive for a clinic position. There was a lot of ruminating about EdD, PhD versus a DNP in addition to does the name and reputation of the school matter.

 

Specializes in PD,Nxstage,hemo.
MrsC16 said:

I got my MSN - Nursing education at Capella, through the flex path. I had no problem finding a nurse educator position. I am currently studying for the CNE exam and feel their curriculum aligned well with the CNE competency.

Have you taken the CNE yet?

MrsC16 said:

I got my MSN - Nursing education at Capella, through the flex path. I had no problem finding a nurse educator position. I am currently studying for the CNE exam and feel their curriculum aligned well with the CNE competency.

Did you have any experience prior teaching experience,

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