Does reputation matter for Nursing School?

[Lindsay2228]

Hi! I'm in the process of a huge career change. I was going to law school and I'm now changing to going to Nursing school. I'm in the very beginning stages; I'm just now starting the pre-requisites. For law school, the reputation of the law school is very important in determining where you get a job, as well as the type of job you get. Is the same true for Nursing School? I understand that it's important to check out NCLEX passing rates as well as passing rates for students. However, I'm most interested in a school at the University of Rochester. It has a great program, a great reputation, and it's where I currently live which makes it even more convenient. The cost is phenomenal compared to, say, a state school in NY. The state schools are good, but this school is famous for it's research and hospital. My question is, is it worth paying the price for this school for both its reputation and convenience? Or would it make more sense to go the economical route?

[dishes, BSN, RN]

I agree it doesn't make any difference in the workplace, but gives you an edge if you decide to pursue higher education. A nurses salary is fairly good but a lawyers is better, what made you change your career direction?

[redhotzz]

In these days of "I'm a Phoenix" advanced learning, it matters not where you went to school. In 40 yrs I have never been asked where I went to school or what kind of grades I made. When you are checked out they check you via your license # and name via computer. Please do not flog me about internet university. I am all for it! I just used it to make a point. I am not against learning in any fashion that works! I may be old, but I am totally with the times!:typing:nurse:

[llg, PhD, RN]

It can make a small difference when you pursue advanced positions, graduate school, teaching positions, etc. However, it is never a huge factor and is almost always outweighed by other things, such as you clinical skill and experience, professional accomplishments, etc.

Many nurses who have accomplished great things have gone to "unknown" schools. So people look at who you are and what you have actually done much more so than where you went to school. Though the school can help a little in certain situations if everything else is equal.

llg, PhD, RN

[redhotzz]

For me...I have NEVER wanted to be in administration at all. I make that known when I change jobs. I am a "worker bee". I will do charge, but not all the time. I absolutely love to precept new nurses and EMTs...BRING THEM TO ME!!!:redbeathe:redbeathe:redbeathe but I want nothing to do with higher up, who BTW never sees a patient unless we go into 'diverting' then 'the suits' are crawling all over the ER. That is not MY kind of nursing. I love to teach, whether it's discharge teaching or as I do stuff to my patients. I spent 13 YEARS telling MDs in the 80s that I felt women were having a MIs when they came in with different symptoms...one eye twitching, jaw pain only..and was often patted on the noggin...and several times in the ER I went ahead and put women on a monitor (at least) or did an EKG anyway and lo' and behold...acute MI! For my yearly educational fulfillment I did a study on women presenting with 'stress' and acute MI and after years of people seeing it....DUH!!! lookey here...the goofy redhead who thinks stress is gonna be our #1 killer is pretty much on the $$$. I've thought about adrenal fatigue/exhaustion for years...again, associated with stress and why so many people now need anti-depression meds. I saw people having withdrawl type symtoms from sudden stoppage of their anti-depressants and now that's a reality. I belonged at the bedside, and that that is how I saw what I saw that made me think the odd things that I thought. Sadly, they pay bedside RNs 20% more than Masters degree nursing school RNs...a study I just read. It is not worth the time and $$$ FOR ME to do that when I can be effective at the bedside. We all have to listen to our own drummers. :redbeathe

[roser13, ASN, RN]

Never, EVER, been asked my alma mater. It matters not one bit.

[Goingthere]

No. Because unless they have an affiliated hospital you want to work for, there really is no benefit to the name.

[llg, PhD, RN]

Just because people don't ask about it doesn't mean they don't notice. It's probably on the application you submitted and/or your resume. They don't have to ask you about it because they already know.

While it is not as big a deal as it is in some professions ... I have seen it matter when all else is equal. Over the years as I have been in leadership positions, I have seen lots of times when people noticed that an applicant attended a school with a particularly bad reputation ... or a school with a particularly good reputation.

Just this summer, with competition so keen for the few new grad positions we were offering, I know of one new grad whose school gave her "extra points" before she interviewed. The manager told me that she was looking forward to meeting this applicant because of the school she went to combined with the hospital at which she had done an externship. They were impressed with her credentials before they even met her. Yes, she got the job while many people did not.