Has your alma mater ever mattered?

RNperdiem, RN · Jul 13, 2010

It might matter for new grads.

After 12 years as a nurse, I doubt it matters now.

nicole109 · Jul 13, 2010

I find that my patients ask me A LOT! Maybe it's because I look like I belong in high school...but my employer(s) have never really cared too much, and I've stayed local to where I graduated. But I'd say at least 2-3 patients a week ask me where I went to school, and because it's an old private school that's been around for eons, they all seem to know about it--it seems to put them at ease knowing that their nurse was well educated. Never mind the fact that the real education comes after you pass NCLEX and take your first step out into the real world...oh well =)

CNL2B · Jul 13, 2010

I know there are some ivy league prepared nurses on this site. It would be interesting to hear what they have to say about it.

Otessa, BSN, RN · Jul 13, 2010

Coming from a different field into nursing, I'm curious if the name of the college/university you went to has ever mattered after you graduated.
I've seen how in law, for example, the school you attend has quite a strong bearing on your employment opportunities later on. While I'm sure employment and opportunities in nursing aren't as pegged to alma mater, I do wonder if there is any stigma or benefit attached to certain schools.
Has anyone ever found this to be the case as you've hit the "real world"?

No, never mattered. Just had to be from an accredited college that was recognized by my place of employment.

otessa

dinah77, ADN · Jul 13, 2010

does matter based in where you live. I know in my city, many employers prefer to hire from my school, vs other programs.

PetiteOpRN · Jul 13, 2010

If anything, it matters locally and to the patients.

Locally, there is one ADN program that stands head and shoulders above every other RN program in the region (including the BSN programs) in terms of the clinical skills and attitudes of the new grads. There is one that is just terrible. The others are pretty much lumped in together. If your preceptor has been precepting for 15 years, then the school you went to will probably influence her opinion and expectations of you.

If the patients have an opinion, it probably has more to do with a nurse going to a prestigious university versus a community college. They're going to be more impressed by St. Mary's or Loyola than Joplin Area Community College.

My father has taught residents all over the country, including those at Mass General. He says that even at the residency/fellowship level, teaching and skill level is pretty equitable across the board. The only big difference between Mass General and a state school, is that fewer of the residents make you scratch your head and think "how on earth did they become a doctor?"

LaxNP, DNP · Jul 13, 2010

From my employment status no. I have a stacked resume with different experience. I have worked at a level 1 trauma center for a few years. I just interviewed for a position as a nurse recruiter and we spoke about this during the interview. The head of HR said the actually do keep a data base of all the schools and nurse outcomes (hiring, firing, initial med and skills tests) and stated there is a trend from school to school. But all in all, I worked in high pace ICU's after finishing an online LPN-RN program, then a traditional RN-BSN. It's all about how you carry yourself and how you treat your patient.

whichone'spink, BSN, RN · Jul 13, 2010

At one hospital in my town, my school is given preference for clinical spots as well as for new grad positions. At the other hospital, I don't think its that big of a deal. There's a mix of grads from my school as well as the other nursing school in town.

tswim · Jul 13, 2010

I have found that university affiliated hospitals definitely have a preference for students who attended their schools, and large "elite" hospitals have a preference for BSNs.

I too still get asked what school I went to by patients on a regular basis. Because they recognize the name, even though it's not a local school, it makes a good impression.

As for getting hired though, the primary factor is experience- especially in this economy.

guest2210 · Jul 13, 2010

When I graduated from my LPN school 30 years ago, it mattered a great deal. It was "old school" and employers knew the new grads coming out knew their stuff and were taught very well. Now the program has gone downhill, and crank out new grads every 9 months who have no idea of what they are to do. Most schools have made medical terminology class an elective.

Carrie9RN · Jul 13, 2010

I work at a hospital that has a nursing school (ADN program) affiliated with it. All nurses on my floor with the exception of maybe me and 2 others became nurses through said ADN program. At my yearly eval, my manager gave some criticism and tried to contribute it to me being a BSN nurse vs all the ADN nurses. MADE ME FEEL LIKE LESSER OF A NURSE WHEN I BUSTED MY BUTT IN SCHOOL FOR 4 YEARS VS 2 YEARS! I just smiled and nodded but I could still about vomit thinking about her comments and bullcrap rationale.

Cathylady · Jul 13, 2010

I work at a hospital that has a nursing school (ADN program) affiliated with it. All nurses on my floor with the exception of maybe me and 2 others became nurses through said ADN program. At my yearly eval, my manager gave some criticism and tried to contribute it to me being a BSN nurse vs all the ADN nurses. MADE ME FEEL LIKE LESSER OF A NURSE WHEN I BUSTED MY BUTT IN SCHOOL FOR 4 YEARS VS 2 YEARS! I just smiled and nodded but I could still about vomit thinking about her comments and bullcrap rationale.

Obviously your manager has only her ADN and is intimidated by you ;-)