Help me with 2nd Degree choices

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Hi all!

I'm looking at applying for an 2nd-degree program in nursing in the fall, but I'm having a hard time wading through the choices. I live in mid-Michigan, so my first two choices are MSU and LCC, which both offer ~14 month programs for RN, though MSU is BSN and LCC offers only Associates, obviously. I would like to know what folks thought of their respective programs. I hadn't really considered LCC, but many have since suggested it to me, as I'm taking the prereqs there. Lots of LCC people denigrate the MSU program, and say the LCC "is one of the nation's best." Any truth to any of that? I find it hard to believe that LCC has one of the best nursing schools, but maybe I'm biased.

I've also considered commuting to UofM for their program, though I don't know how smart that would be. Also, would having a BSN give me any advantages over having an ADN?

Also, can anyone shed some light on my chances of getting in? I have a BA with a 3.9 GPA, and I fully intend on acing all of my prereqs for whatever program I choose. I am in-district for LCC, and volunteer at a hospital.

Thanks!

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

Nursing programs have become competitive in general as far as the admission process. Many prospective students apply to more than one program to increase their chance of getting in at least one program. I find that many community college grads say that their program is very hard. I somehow agree with them in that I have had experience teaching at a community college for a med-surg nursing course and the students do get put through the wringer. Universities, in my opinion, have a nicer environment and allows for students to be helped with their weaknesses during the program. I also find that the incoming first year class in community colleges are larger in number compared to universities. Because of this, there is a tendency for community colleges to weed out those who perform poorly. Nevertheless, I still think community college programs provide a great deal of service to students who can't afford attending a university program. In actual clinical practice, I personally have not seen much difference in how a new CC grad and a new Uni grad performs in the clinical setting. BSN preparation allows the nurse to advance to certain positions that only require a BSN such as some nurse manager positions and some case manager positions. But many ADN grads can easily get a BSN later on after they are already working as RN's.

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Specializes in AGNP.

I will be graduating from LCC's first accelerated class in just a few weeks. I thought it was a great program. My first degree is from MSU and even when I was there I heard negative comments about the organization of the nursing program. That is one reason that I chose LCC over MSU. One of the other reasons was cost. MSU's program is around $20,000 & that doesn't include living expenses. I spent under $10,000 for all of the tuition, books, etc for LCC and was able to work part time during the program. They say you will not have time to work but the majority of the people in the accelerated program are working part time. LCC's pass rate on the NCLEX is around 97% but I do not know the numbers for MSU.

My plan is to go into one of the MSN programs available for students who have an ADN degree and a non-nursing bachelors. By going through one of these programs I won't really be losing any time since I planned on skipping straight to an MSN all along.

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Thanks for the advice. I don't know if there is any truth to the rumors about MSU's program being substandard, so I'll investigate a little more. But short term, I think my plan will be to apply to MSU, and go there if I get in.

If I do not get in, I will be applying to LCC next fall and perhaps UofM and MSU as well.

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

While I've never attended any program at MSU. I find it hard to believe that a reputable institution like MSU would have a substandard nursing program. If it's any consolation, I've worked with more than 5 nurses who are MSU grads and I find these nurses to be generally just as competent as the ones who attended a different program.

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Specializes in AGNP.
While I've never attended any program at MSU. I find it hard to believe that a reputable institution like MSU would have a substandard nursing program. If it's any consolation, I've worked with more than 5 nurses who are MSU grads and I find these nurses to be generally just as competent as the ones who attended a different program.

No one has ever said that the MSU nursing program is substandard, all of the negative things I have heard have been regarding organization of the program & politics type things.

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Good luck,

I am at MSU right now as an undergrad. This is my third time applying to the traditional program (hope 3rd times the charm). However, if i do not get in I plan on the accelerated program. I have not heard anything bad about the program, it is just hard to get into. If you have a good GPA it will make life a lot easier, I beleive they really only look at GPA.

Good luck!

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.
No one has ever said that the MSU nursing program is substandard, all of the negative things I have heard have been regarding organization of the program & politics type things.

I was responding to The Seeker's post where the statement "I don't know if there is any truth to the rumors about MSU's program being substandard" was made. I am not accusing anyone of making a false claim. I am merely affirming that such a rumor is probably incorrect as the MSU program is fully accredited by the Commision on Collegiate Nursing Education and has produced graduates that have gone far in their nursing career. I am also not disputing anyone's claim that their nursing program is good or bad.

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