Howard CC RN program vs Towson BSN program?

[akumal987]

Hi!

I am new here. I tried the search but didn't really find what I was looking for.

I am currently a student at Howard Community College...my plan was to get my RN at Howard then transfer to Towson to get my RN to BSN. (I still may do this....haven't really decided yet, because I am just taking GenEds at the moment). So my question is, if you were in my shoes what would you do? Would you stay at Howard, get your RN then go to Towson? or apply for the spring of 2012 for Towson (my parents, since I am just out of highschool would like me to stay at Howard a minimum of 1 year, and since I didn't take fall classes, I need to stay there for spring 2011 and fall 2011)? Who do you think has better clinicals, profs, ect.?

Thanks so much!!!

[Student4_life]

IMO, stay at Howard to knock out all your pre-reqs and then see which school accepts you. I know Towson is very difficult to get into so keep your grades high. MHEC has info on Grad rates and nclex pass rates.

[PharmaRN]

If I were you, I would get my RN at HCC and then transfer to Towson or Maryland to do the RN-BSN program. You'd save a lot of money and wouldn't be heavily discriminated against in terms of being able to find a job.

In fact, if I were you, I would do what I did: keep your grades as high as possible, apply to the accelerated HCC RN program (under the rolling admission process where you are guaranteed a seat), then graduate in just over a year, start working, and pursue your BSN online (or in person if you prefer) through the University of Maryland. Because of the pace of the accelerated RN program (one year instead of two), you don't actually lose any time and could very feasibly get your BSN within four or so years, the same amount of time as if you had gone straight for your BSN, but for tens of thousands of dollars less money.

Hope that helps!

[akumal987]

Thanks so much!!!!! I will keep your ideas in mind. :)