Does it matter what nursing school you went to?

[Unique87]

Do you think it truly matters if you went to a "top' ranked nursing schol or any other nursing school? I'm in a pickle I really want to go to a "top" nursing school but I know b/c I just went to an info session if I applied now I would get turned down my science gpa would only be a 3.00 and they want an average of 3.33-3.50. I can get my gpa up if I retake this chem class and get an A but if I do then I have to wait two more semesters instead of one if applied to other schools which I'm thinking about, to get into that school. I just think I'm getting hung up on the word top and their only top when it comes to graduate nursing schools. Like I can afford them for my msn. They said things that irked me like theres no document for this but employers really like nursing graduate from our school because their trained better than most clinically. I don't want to even go to that school now after I hear that. Whose to say that's true? :argue: Anyway just wanted to vent.

[BellasMommyOBRN]

what school was this? i would love to go to john hopkins. they look at your whole character, as well as your gpa. (but the cost is something i couldn't do)

some schools that are considered "top" programs have earned their reputation by pass/fail rates. others have earned their reputation through another degree program that is very competitive (like a med school). i honestly can't answer your question as to whether or not they chose applicants who graduated from "top" schools over the "average" school, but i wouldn't think so. graduating from a top school wouldn't make you a better nurse, i think employers (hopefully!) would realize that.

i really think the only thing a "top" school would provide is a leg up in furthuring your education in either masters or graduate levels.

just make sure you look into schools you want to apply to. visit them, ask questions, and then chose the one you feel the best about!!

good luck!

[Unique87]

The nursing school I'm referrring to is University Of Maryland Baltimore and their only a "top" school when it comes to their graduate program. I just want to get into a nursing program and soon tired of prereqs and waiting so I might just go and apply to other schools I'm looking at so I can start next fall.

[BellasMommyOBRN]

sounds like you have a good plan.

apply around and see what happens.

make your decision from there :)

[kevano51]

If u want to work in a hospital, then they have a lot of rules and regs and they might be pickier about where u went to school initially, but once u have four years of experience under your belt, they simply look at your experience and your license.

[CuriousMe]

I don't know that ranking necessarily matters (although it can't hurt of course), and I don't know squat about the program you mentioned....but all you need to do is read a bit on AN and you'll quickly see that all programs are not equal.

I'd be more focused on the content of the program and the kind of education you receive. Often that goes along with "top" schools. But I wouldn't assume.

[ImThatGuy, BSN, RN]

What's a nurse going to do that will warrant attendance/graduation from an Ivy League/top ranked school? Unless you're going to teach at one or run such a program I don't see why it would matter. I say pay the minimal tuition at the local state U.

[decembergrad2011, BSN, RN]

I chose my school out of convenience because I grew up where my college is located and can pay in-state tuition.

But it was really nice to be able to say that my school is nationally ranked. After reading a lot of threads about criticisms of nursing school, and types of situations that I just haven't experienced at my school, I do have to wonder how much the national ranking plays a part into how good the school is for the students while they are there.

Make sure that the school is accredited and that they have an NCLEX pass rate of above 85-90% and you should be fine. Our pass rate is 97%, which made me feel a lot less nervous about passing on the first time around!