Help Pick Atlanta College for BSN!

sweet tooth · Jul 14, 2006

I'm going the ADN route,but if I were going BSN, Georgie Baptist would be my top pick. I think they have the best reputation for turning out clinically prepared nurses. Then I would choose KSU, Clayton, Emory, Georgia State.

SharonH, RN · Jul 14, 2006

This is for a prospective Nursing student that need to create a short list of BSN programs to apply to (all the pre-nursing courses are being completed in the fall at a community college).
Prospective student lives about 30 minutes from Atlanta (actually, in Snellville, GA).
(a) Regardless of cost, what will be your top 5 Nursing programs to apply to in Atlanta area?
(b) If cost were to be a contsraint, thereby ruling out Emory (as an example), what will be your revised top 5?
From web research, current working list is: Emory, GA State, Clayton, and Kennesaw State University (from allnursingschools.com Kennesaw is not accredited by NLNAC????).
Comments about these schools (or others), and how they compare against each other will be truly appreciated. The program has to be within 1 hour of Snellville due to family.
Thank you for taking the time to respond.

I would rule out Clayton based on location alone. For that matter, I would also eliminate Kennesaw. That leaves Emory and GSU. If cost is a factor, that leaves Georgia State.

ak127 · Jul 14, 2006

Don't necessarily rule any of them out due to cost. Apply for admission and financial aid at all of them, then look at what you are offered before making the money decision. Emory may cost a lot, but they have *lots* of scholarships as well. Education is like used car shopping, if you are savvy you don't pay full price! Fill out FAFSA *&* CSS PROFILE. Apply for private scholarships. Ask for info on grants for Georgia residents. Ask your current employer about tuition reimbursement. Honestly, if you wanted to go to Emory thier employee tuition credit is the bomb. (one year employment required, so you'd have to start there now for fall 07 help).

Call EVERY local hospital and inquire about thier education programs. Many will help you pay for school in exchange for working there. Ones I know of off the top of my head: Emory University Hospital, Emory Crawford Long, Wesley Woods, all pay 50% of Emory's tuition for 2 year comittment-called the NEAT program. Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta, similar deal- called the CHANCES program. St. Joseph's $3000(?) per year, one year comittment for every year of support. Northside up to $10,000 per year, one year commitment for every year of support- called Northside Scholars. I am sure there are others.

Also important to look at which schools will accept your prereqs, since you did them before choosing a school. All have different requirements.

That having been said, I'm attending Emory this fall and letting Northside help with with the cost. Emory's BSN-MSN segue program was a good fit for me, and Northside offered a really awesome scholarship package that includes mentorship, a job shadowing and externship program. Its like having extra clinical rotations, so I can feel more confident in my skills and my eventual choice of practice area. I am so excited to be starting!

Best of luck to you in your choice! :balloons:

Don't be intimidated, don't miss deadlines, and ask ask ask for help!

You can do it!

PS- add GSU B. Lewis School of Nursing to your list of ones to look at. I have a friend starting there in the fall who is a very smart gal and is pretty impressed by what she found there. The only reason I crossed them off my list was they didn't have a BSN-MSN combined program.

AdonaiLoveable · Jul 14, 2006

I would keep Clayton on the list...even though the distance might be great, a good bit of the trip would be a reverse commute for you. Same is true with Kennesaw State.

I advise making the trip to Clayton, Kennesaw, GA State, and other schools during the hours that you'd have to drive there if you were in classes. Even though GA State is closer distance-wise, downtown traffic and parking time add up. I found that to be the case and even though GA State is closer to my home, Clayton State took about the same amount of time and much less hassle to get to and from.

Also look into the new Gwinnett College, I think they are developing a nursing program which may become available soon.

My list -- if money were no object:

1. Emory

2. GA Baptist at Mercer

3. Kennesaw State

4. GA State

5. Clayton State

6. Brenau

7. Georgia Perimeter (ADN program)

My list for expenses:

1. Clayton State

2. GA State (in particular the accelerated program - those extra semesters add up!)

3. Kennesaw State (same note as above)

4. GA Perimeter (cheapest, but I place a high value on getting a BSN over an ADN since they will both take at least 4 semesters).

Adonai

BSN_RN_to_be · Jul 14, 2006

You gals (& guys) are great - thank you very much for all your thoughts. Very detailed, helpful and precise information. Just what I was hoping for.

Wish you all a great weekend!