I GOT ACCEPTED!!!! But I have a Dilemma...

1701valerie · Mar 18, 2004

Hi,

I don't know if this is good advice or not but I will graduate in 7 more weeks from an ADN program in Oklahoma and this is my take on it. I have racked up $8,000 in loans I am going to be responsible for at the end of this and it has been a state school although I have commuted an 1 1/2 hrs each way for the past 2 years.

We have one of the top NCLEX pass rates in the state. We generally lose 1/2 of the 1st year students during Adult Health. I am telling you all of this to say that nursing school is very difficult due to the stress and you need to go where you will have resources like family/friends who can be of help. It is stressful moving to a new community where you don't know anyone. I have lived in 13 different communities as my husband moved with his company. Going to Florida from my point of view will be hard on you. If it were me, I think I would choose to go "backward" while I obtained this tough certification.

Just my opinion. Congratulations on your acceptance and I wish you the best wherever you choose to be!!!! :balloons:

Well, one of the schools that Iv'e applied to for nursing accepted me!!! I got my acceptence letter in the mail yesterday and jumped up and down around my apartment (I think I really freaked my pug out!) I was just thrilled, seeing that the acceptence rate was only around 17% for that school! The other one that I applied to doesn't send letters out till May. So here's my dilemma; maybe you all can offer some good advice. The school I got accepted to is a hospital diploma program, I believe its NCLEX pass rate is 92%, it's a small personal school that offers a lot of attention, and you can do the tuition reimbursment if you work for the hospital when you are out for 2 years. The down side is that it's in Cincinnati, which is fine, it's where I am from, but it's still cold there (I live in ARCTIC Chicago right now) and I feel like if I move back there I'm kind of "moving backwards" in my life. The other school is in sunny Florida, is also a small, private school, is an ADN program, but I don't know if the NCLEX is better or worse. I think it's about the same. It's just that I've been looking forward to a change of scenery, ya know, a fresh start, and I totally have that seasonal depression disorder. I figured Florida would be a good change for me. But, I won't know if I am accepted there till May. But, if the school in Cincinnati is better per say, I guess I should probably go for that one right? :uhoh21: Ahhhh! I think I am confusing myself. I have to send a deposit to the cincinnati school by april 15th to hold my place in the program. But, if I do that and then decide to go to Fla. I'm out 300$. Should I do that and then decide when I get my letter from the fla. school? What if I don't get in the the Fla. school? Should I move there anyway and finish up my pre-req's and then apply again? I am so sorry that this is abnormally long, I just need some advice! What should I really base this decision on? Thanks so much!!! :)

Soonstudent · Mar 18, 2004

You know I'm in a similiar situation. Although the distance isn't near as great. I'm living in florence SC, been accepted to an ADN program here starting in August, and it's a great program, but I grew up aroung here and also need a change of scenery . Well I also got accepted to a program in Charleston, only thing is it doesn't start untill fall 2005. I figure it's worth the wait but every situation is different and should be treated so. My decision was easy, I knew I would regret not moving to Charleston and didn't think twice about it, not to mention quiting a $48,000 + a year job. When I read " It's just that I've been looking forward to a change of scenery, ya know, a fresh start, and I totally have that seasonal depression disorder. I figured Florida would be a good change for me." I had to reply. Good luck with your decision, keep us posted. Brandon

orrnlori, RN · Mar 18, 2004

I think diploma trained nurses are some of the best there are. Having said that, I would check to make sure that your credits will transfer to a regionally accredited school should you decide you want to continue your education. Sometimes diploma credits are degraded to the point of non-existence when looking to expand your education. I know that may seem like a point in the future so far away you can't even see it, but I still think you should at least look into it.

It still gets dark at 5:30 pm in Florida in the winter. If it's the cold you can't stand then that's a good reason for the south. But remember it's also hot and muggy in the summer, and rains quite a bit with all sorts of crawly things in the grass. :)

What's the comparative costs of each school. What's the cost of living in the Florida town where you're looking.

There's something to be said for familiarity when one is under stress. Cincinnati's starting pay is pretty good for a new grad.

Ah, I've not really given you any advice, just things to ponder. Also, I'd spend the 300.00 to hold the spot if it was me but again, it would hinge on whether those credits will hold up or not.

Agnus · Mar 18, 2004

Is there a problem if you accept admission to the northern school and then drop out when your Flordia acceptance comes through?

Nurse Ratched, RN · Mar 18, 2004

I think diploma trained nurses are some of the best there are. Having said that, I would check to make sure that your credits will transfer to a regionally accredited school should you decide you want to continue your education. Sometimes diploma credits are degraded to the point of non-existence when looking to expand your education. I know that may seem like a point in the future so far away you can't even see it, but I still think you should at least look into it.

This is great advice. And I agree wholeheartedly about the diploma programs turning out EXCELLENT nurses :).

IamRN · Mar 19, 2004

Just another alternative...finish your education on familiar grounds and when you are ready for job find one in Fla!

Good luck w/your decision!

Louisepug · Mar 20, 2004

Thanks for all the great advice!! :kiss I have decided to pay the 300 to reserve my spot, and am really leaning towards that school. I agree with what has been said about going where I am least stressed. Plus, the school in ohio does have a 10% higher NCLEX rate than the florida school. I think that says so much right there. Oh, and I did ask about credits transferring to BSN if I eventually want that, and they do! Thanks again guys, and best of luck to all of you! :nurse: Louisepug

Louisepug · Mar 20, 2004

Thanks for all the great advice!! :kiss I have decided to pay the 300 to reserve my spot, and am really leaning towards that school. I agree with what has been said about going where I am least stressed. Plus, the school in ohio does have a 10% higher NCLEX rate than the florida school. I think that says so much right there. Oh, and I did ask about credits transferring to BSN if I eventually want that, and they do! Thanks again guys, and best of luck to all of you! :nurse: Louisepug

Hoosiernurse, ADN, RN · Apr 3, 2006

Thanks for all the great advice!! :kiss I have decided to pay the 300 to reserve my spot, and am really leaning towards that school. I agree with what has been said about going where I am least stressed. Plus, the school in ohio does have a 10% higher NCLEX rate than the florida school. I think that says so much right there. Oh, and I did ask about credits transferring to BSN if I eventually want that, and they do! Thanks again guys, and best of luck to all of you! Louisepug

I was just reading your posts from two years ago. How did everything go? I just got accepted at the same school you are talking about, and I wondered if you might PM me and let me know how it all went? I'm accepted into the first class at this college that is no longe diploma, because they got their college program officially endorsed now (or whatever they needed to do to make it a "college" and not diploma). I spoke to one student who recently graduated from there under the diploma program, and she said it wasn't going to be so much different, just a couple more classes you had to take. She loved the program, how about you??

Cara

jillyk*rn · Apr 3, 2006

this is great advice. and i agree wholeheartedly about the diploma programs turning out excellent nurses .

:yeahthat: :yeahthat: :yeahthat: :yeahthat: :yeahthat: :yeahthat: :yeahthat:

well, i live in south florida (you didn't say where the school was). i know waiting lists down here are tremendous, and housing is rediculous. while the weather may be sunny, 4 months of straight of rain and weather in the high 90's stinks:eek: . (i'm a native floridian - so i'm allowed to talk like that:lol2: :lol2: ).

good luck in your decision.

tookewlandy · Apr 3, 2006

I cannot give any advise but CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!