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Discussion

How to compare nursing programs that are so different? or: Which one do I choose??

I am 38 and I am determined to go to go back to school to become a nurse. I have a bachelor's degree and am looking at my local programs for 2nd degree folks like myself and have narrowed it down to 2. Problem is, the programs are very different and I don't know how to compare them and decide what's best for me. Here are the basics:

Program 1

- public university

- 14 month program after which I can take the NCLEX and work as an RN

- Cost about 18k plus books, lab fees, etc.

- Need to take 7 more prereqs (21 cr. hours, which will add significantly to the total cost))

-would start winter '09

Program 2

- private school

- 20 month program that awards an MSN

- Cost about 42k plus books, lab fees, etc.

- Need to take 3 more prereqs (10 cr. hours), the rest are part of the 20 months

- would start fall '08

Because of the prereq differences I would finish each program at about the same time (6/2010).

I went to info sessions for both schools and both seem great.

So how can I go about comparing the programs since they are so different? And how do I decide which is best for me? I know at least initially I plan to work in a hospital, 3rd shift weekends mostly so I can be at home with my children (15 month old twins and a 9 year old with special needs). But as the twins get older I think I would want to further my career and become an NP or ???, I don't know yet what my final place will be but I love that there are so many options open to nurses!

I'm pretty sure we would qualify for a lot of financial aid because of our family size and income. But I don't know for sure what the total cost would end up being.

Thoughts? Anything else I can look at to compare the 2 programs?

Thanks much for reading!

Karen

Featured Replies

I would ask the following questions:

How much clinical time would you get during school? There are many nursing schools in my area, and some have strong relationships with hospitals while others have very little actual clinical time. Make sure you get clinical time at a few different facilities. It's great to see the inner workings of these places before you start applying for jobs.

How big are the classes? Individual attention both from the teacher and the clinical instructor can make or break some students. We also had a lab instructor whose full-time job was to be available for us if we wanted to practice dressing changes, IVs, injections, etc. She also helped those who needed extra help with their math skills.

What is their NCLEX passing rate for the past few years? There is a very expensive private school in my city with a BSN program. Unfortunately, their grads have been failing NCLEX like crazy! Meanwhile, those of us from my small, hospital based program have all passed. (100% pass rate for the past few years!)

Best of luck to you!! I'm a mom who went back to school at 38 for a second career. It's the best thing I ever didi!!

Is that Ohio private school MSN Xavier of Mount Saint Joe's in Cincy?

Personally, I'd get the Direct-entry MSN and be done with it. I want to teach eventually so killing two birds with one stone would be of value to me.

That is of course as long as that MSN direct entry ahd a decent NCLEX pass rate.

In truth it does not matter which school a nurse graduates from.

Looking at your future goals and present situation is the BEST way to pick the right nursing school.

  • Author
Is that Ohio private school MSN Xavier of Mount Saint Joe's in Cincy?

Xavier

Thanks for your thoughts! I'm not sure where I what my eventual goals are at this point, that's part of why this decision is so hard. I know that in the next few years I will have to go back to work (I'm a stay at home mom right now) and I can't stand the thought of going back into what I was, doing making less than half of what a new nurse around here makes. but as far as where I want to end up in nursing, I don't know. :confused: I *think* I would like to do an NP or some other advanced field but I'm not sure. I shadowed a NICU nurse one day and loved what she did so maybe that'll be it for me?

Ask about their NLN reviews. The school I almost went to lost their NLN accredidation....RIGHT before I graduated from the program I chose. (would have been me) The school I DID choose....was an NLN gold standard school, 1 of three a few years ago to be awarded a national award of excellence. 95% pass rate for NCLEX.

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