Does it matter what school you go to?

Moogie · Mar 25, 2011

If you think you're going to regret not going to Johns Hopkins in the long run, then the additional cost and commute might be worthwhile. If you would rather save money and a bit of travel time, I honestly don't think you're committing career suicide by going to the other school.

Maybe I'm wrong here---but somehow I get the feeling that you're worried that you might regret not going to Hopkins. You don't want to have regrets about the road not taken. Do you have family or work obligations that are going to demand your time? Or can you spend all your energies on your ABSN program and not worry that the money and commute are taking away resources from other things important in life?

I wish you the best in this decision. Oh, and congratulations on getting accepted! :anpom:

Sowhat105 · Mar 26, 2011

In my personal experience a BSN is a BSN, and its up to you what you make the school. I passed on going to Georgia State University, and instead picked a state college 10 minutes from home. Honestly, I have never regretted it. I find I get far more hands on experience, and actually get close with my instructors. I learn a lot more then my friends at GSU or Emory. My school has a beautiful campus, only 5,000 student, but we have a rich student life and you get the traditional 4 year college experience for 1/20th the cost of Emory, and 1/4 the cost of GSU.

On paper some people might place higher value on a big name university, but that person is a fool in my opinion. You put into it, what you want to get out of it. Your college is what you make it! I say go for the cheaper one! You really want 120k in debt?

newRNstudent02 · Mar 27, 2011

A BSN is a BSN, but Johns Hopkins! C'mon! Top school in the country. Ivy league and in my opinion, the most prestigious Ivy too! Do what you think is right and congratulations on your acceptance! Many employers will be impressed with your background. It could be a potential job booster.

UVA Grad Nursing · Mar 27, 2011

Where do you intend to practice? Where are you thinking about graduate school? GW has a fine reputation in the immediate DC area, but is not well known out of the Beltway area. Their nursing program is also relatively new (about a decade old). Hopkins has an excellent national (and international) reputation.

Reputations do matter as you are going for those initial 1-2 jobs in nursing, or when you are applying for that MSN degree.

pitaya · Mar 28, 2011

Now normally I would tell you that private schools are a HUGE waste of money. But ever since I was in 4th grade and learned who Florence Sabin was and that she went to Johns Hopkins...it has been my "secret" dream to attend Johns Hopkins! My grades pre-nursing school didn't make it a possibility, but my nursing school grades are much better, so I'm thinking I might apply for their public health grad program and I would have an extremely hard time turning them down if I got in!!!

So...what does Johns Hopkins mean to YOU? In any case, George Washington is still a great school!

heavenbound · Mar 28, 2011

This is an interesting subject matter as I hear many ask this question. Grant it, who wouldn't want to attend a prestigious ivy league school if they could afford it and had the opportunity. However, in my opinion after doing several research on this topic, I found that it really doesn't matter what school you attend as long as it is accredited and will provide you with the material you need to pass the NCLEX exam and become an exceptional nurse. I am pretty sure those who have attended the big name schools are not given different questions on the NCLEX exam as to those who went to a smaller or not as popular name school. And to the OP GWU is still expensive in my eyes, I just recently researched their tuition for their nursing program and it was $973.00 per credit and scheduled to increase. As far as finding a job post graduation, I think has a lot to do with the economy at the time, the individual. What I have heard is also helpful is volunteering at a hospital you aspire to work at upon graduation, and how well you do and establish yourself during clinicals. I wish you all best in whatever decision you decide make.

CuriousMe · Mar 28, 2011

One guiding thought I have in my life is that I'd much rather regret something I did, than something I didn't. By doing...whatever....it may not work out the way I intend, and may be a huge mistake, but I'll learn something from it.

I've never learned from something I didn't do and would hate living with the "what if" for the rest of my life.

I say, if your hat is set on Johns Hopkins...go for it!

chicagoing, ADN, RN · Mar 28, 2011

If your heart is set on JHU and you're able to afford the tuition (either through your own savings, loans, scholarships, grant, etc.), then you should go for it! Just from what I've heard and learned from the internet, JHU is more prestigious than many Ivy League schools (even though it is not itself an Ivy).

I would think that attending either JHU or GWU would set you up for some very nice networking opportunities, if anything :)