Does it matter what school you go to get your Nursing Degree?

[lc3]

For instance a top ten nursing school versus a school that isnt even ranked?

What if one school is more affordable (but lesser known) versus a school that is more expensive, which would you chose?

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

There's a need for tens and thousands of nurses. Those 10 ten schools can only supply a fraction of that need.

No it does not matter.

[caliotter3]

Only if down the line your career goals include going up the "hotty totty" ladder in academia or management somewhere. The rest of us are happy to get into and graduate from any accredited nursing school.

[llg, PhD, RN]

It usually doesn't matter ... as long as the school is of good quality and has a decent reputation. The "average" school is just fine for most purposes. However, there are some TERRIBLE schools out there and you should avoid them. They provide a bad education and their graduates are not respected by people who are "in the know."

For example, avoid schools that have NCLEX pass rates significantly below the national average of 84%. That means that their graduates can't pass the licensing exam on the first try. That indicates that the quality of their education is not very good. You may also want to avoid schools in which a large percentage of students who begin the program don't graduate on schedule. That indicates that you might lose your money by flunking out after having paid for several courses ... or that you will have to pay more than expected as you repeat courses a second time ... or that the teachers are not doing a good job of teaching the content and the students are therefore failing the required exams ... and/or that the atmosphere and stress level in the school is exceptionally bad as many people flunk out or drop out in dissatisfaction.

[2bNurseNik]

Sometimes we have to choose a school that is convenient, which for me, outweights the "top ten" rated schools. I think it's important but other things come into play when choosing a school. Especially in adulthood. Of course, I would prefer a top ten school, but in the end, that really isn't as important as other factors that are important to me.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

This is a time when the alma mater on your resume has no real meaning.

The only thing you want to know, before choosing one, is of course whether the school is accredited, and whether the NCLEX pass rate is acceptable.

I found that graduating from one with a reputation for grueling academics and clinicals benefitted me only slightly from one where the drop-outs and fail-outs of all the other regional schools graduated from. We both got hired; the only difference is my interview was a formality, I could have been hired over the phone, and hers was a bit more involved. We both had passed the NCLEX-RN, and that was the bottom line.

[CT Pixie, BSN, RN]

If the school is accredited, you pass your classes and sit for the NCLEX and pass..all that matters is that license. Your license doesn't have the school you attended..and you are as much a nurse as someone who went to a lesser known school or a top 10 school.

I'd rather a nurse treat me who's graduated with great grades, clinicals etc than an Ivy-leager who scrapped by, by the skin of their teeth.

To me the school doesn't matter..the nurse and his/her skills, education etc is more important.

In answer to your ?, I'd go with the school with the better NCLEX result rates rather than the cost (and of course I'd attend the school that accepts me ). I'd rather go to a school that X amount of 1st time test takers pass than another school where not many do.

[AimeeJo RN]

I appreciate this question because I came to this site to ask practicing nurses how they feel about online degrees. I don't know if this is the right place to pose the question. This is my first post.

[NurseShelly]

I appreciate this question because I came to this site to ask practicing nurses how they feel about online degrees. I don't know if this is the right place to pose the question. This is my first post.

I've been researching online RN to BSN programs and went as far to speak to an advisor or representative, and I was informed that your degree or diploma won't state that you obtained it through an online program. Of course a representative of any program will say how wonderful it is and that your getting the same education as your on campus counterparts. I can honesetly say that I feelonline education is the wave of the future, and when you work 12hr days or nights, it seems to be the only way to go, at least for me. Anyway, from my research, online RN to BSN programs have the same accreditations as the traditional programs, and it seems that previous and current work experience makes up for your clinical time, if I understand correctly. So, in my unexperienced opinion, online programs are as good as traditional. Sorry, I went on and on. I've been trying to convince my family that I won't be wasting time and money on an online RN to BSN program for about a week now.:monkeydance: :monkeydance: :monkeydance:

[NurseShelly]

I appreciate this question because I came to this site to ask practicing nurses how they feel about online degrees. I don't know if this is the right place to pose the question. This is my first post.

Oh, if you're asking about online programs to obtain your RN, if the school is accredited, a person might miss out on study groups and such, but if a person is dedicated, I think they can successfully complete the program and find themselves on the same playinf field as other graduate nurses. OK, I'll shut up now.

[JenieLou]

As long as they are acredited and you get what you need to pass NCLEX, it doesn't matter. When you are hired into a job, nobody will care where you went to school.....

[justme1972]

Nope.