Grossmont or San Diego State?

Kabin · Feb 11, 2005

For me, two years wait is too long a wait. I'd check out all options and even consider a private school (USD?).

If family arrangements made it possible, I'd also consider attending an out of state school. Community colleges in Phoenix, AZ have a zero to one semester application/waiting period. At Arizona State, the BSN application period is almost one year before attending.

Kabin · Feb 11, 2005

I should also add, what caught my attention is I attended both Grossmont and SDSU years ago. :)

prmenrs, RN · Feb 11, 2005

USD doesn't have a "generic" program--they're mainly RN to BSN or above. (Unless things have changed a lot). The SDSU program gives you a BSN, which is always a better choice, IMO, because it gives you so many more options. Grossmont and the other community colleges give you an Associate Degree. If you have the time, and can get the $$$, go to SDSU. Otherwise, go to Grossmont, or Southwestern or any of the other Community Colleges.

The only other generic BSN program, as far as I know, is Pt. Loma Nazarene. I have always been very impressed w/the nurses I'v met from that school. If you can afford it, I highly recommend it.

Ultimately, the decision you make will depend on your situation. I wish you the very best in your endeavors!

Faeriewand, ASN, RN · Feb 13, 2005

Hi Kaban. I just wanted to thank you for your reply. I have 3 children to take care of so I need to stay in the area. Just curious, where did you get your RN? In San Diego?

FW

Faeriewand, ASN, RN · Feb 13, 2005

Prmenrs, Thank you for your thoughtful reply. Yeah I wasn't sure about which to go for, a BSN or an Associate Degree. You say you have more options when you get a BSN? That just might be the road for me then. Guess I'll keep plugging away.

Thanks again.

NurseFirst · Feb 13, 2005

Hi, I'm still doing my science pre-requisite courses for nursing and am a student at Grossmont College right now. I just need one more course in general ed to be able to go to San Diego State. I'm not sure which school of Nursing I should go to. I will apply to both but I"m wondering which is better. Grossmont said they had a wait list of 2 years which I find highly dismaying. I am almost qualified to go to San Diego State but will have to take out student loans to pay and I understand that I must have all pre-requisite courses completed before I can apply to the school of nursing there. In other words, I can apply to San Diego State this fall for next fall but can't apply to the school of nursing until next year. Then I'm not sure what happens from there. Dang I wish I had started my science courses sooner but I had to take Chemistry first and I couldn't take that until I had the pre-requisite algebra class. And to top it off I'm already 43 and not getting any younger. Otherwise I wouldn't worry about the time and just take it as it comes.
Any thoughts on which is the better school? I hear they are both pretty good, I just would like any feedback on this.
Thanks for listening and any responses on this issue I would greatly appreciate.
Faeriewand

I can understand the "I'm already 43" as I am 54 (soon to be 55!).

1) look up in http://www.cccco.edu at the community colleges that are near you that have RN programs, for other possible choices.

2) Consider getting an LVN first and then do an LVN-RN bridge program (but, don't do the 30 unit program as it is only valid in California).

Grossmont -- I know about it because it has, I think, the only cardiac tech program in a California community college. Cardiac tech sounds cool to me :)

NurseFirst

USA987, MSN, RN, NP · Feb 14, 2005

I am a Grossmont LVn-to-RN nursing school graduate. They told me the wait was 1-2 yrs. when I applied and I was actually was accepted in 6 months. I thought the Grossmont program was great and the $$$$ of a community college education was definitely affordable. While I was going throught the program, my classmates hubby was going through SDSUs program. They had a 100% NCLEX pass rate that year. I guess you really need to crunch the numbers and see what works for you. It really doesn't hurt to apply to Grossmont's program while you are trying to figure out what to do.

good luck!

Kabin · Feb 14, 2005

Hi Kaban. I just wanted to thank you for your reply. I have 3 children to take care of so I need to stay in the area. Just curious, where did you get your RN? In San Diego?
FW

Hi,

Unfortunately, I'm going back to get a BSN now so the studies at Grossmont and SDSU were in othere areas.

Kensington · Feb 14, 2005

If you can afford it, or if you are able to take out student loans, I would highly suggest that you look into Pt. Loma Nazarene. My NP & mentor teaches there and I have heard nothing but FANTASTIC things from the students and staff. If the cost is a problem, then definitely check out SDSU... in your position, I would definitely go for the BSN. SDSU has a great program as well - it's just that Pt. Loma is more personal and overall I think have a better program.

Good Luck!

K