Does where you received your BSN matter?

[brian.lansing]

I am planning on getting my BSN directly after my ADN program. The same college that offers the ADN program also offers the RN-BSN bridge. My long term goal is to go to graduate school and become an NP. My question is, does the school you received your BSN matter? The school I plan on receiving it from is just recently gaining accreditation from the CCNE and its program doesn't have the same repuation as the local university. Will it be a factor when applying to schools out of state such as Emory, Vanderbilt, etc.

I would love to hear any and all opinions/tips. Thank you!

[YuHiroRN, BSN]

I have personally never met any nurses who have received their BSN in anything higher than a state university, so I'm willing to say that no, it probably doesn't matter.

[MollyJ]

I think possibly what matters is what your goals are for getting the BSN and what you want it to do for you. The place I got my BSN from was a State University and I feel I can "take my degree anywhere" and it definitely added to my nursing practice. It is these last two features that I feel are essential. You want a credible degree--and for me that meant a bricks and mortar institution--and it should add to my nursing practice. Now I am not arguing that everyone should look for a bricks and mortar institution but I think a nursing faculty who are working cohesively to provide a body of knowledge that they think a BSN prepared nurse should have is important to me.

My two cents worth.

[BDWilliams09]

I think to be accepted to top rated NP programs name recognition does matter to a degree. I am currently at Emory University and I received my undergraduate from the University of Oklahoma. These schools receive 100's of applications and to set yourself from the rest you need every advantage you can get.