I need help finding a good school on the east coast!

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So pretty much...Im almost done with my Associates and Im looking for a good school to transfer to, to get my BSN. Im from North Carolina, born and raised, and plan to apply to a couple of schools in the state. BUT, I love the travel, visiting places...Im a small town, some-what country girl looking for big dreams in a big city. I've looked everywhere online...up and down the coast to look for a reasonable school to get into.

I found this site and signed up...I figured it'd be helpful getting to know others in the same field and situation...so thanks and nice to meet everyone! Feel free to post or email me!

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Well, seeing as I live near Baltimore, University of Maryland School of Nursing has a great program for RN to BSN, and they also have an RN to MSN option if you like. University of Maryland Medical Center provides tuition reimbursement, if you work there while in program. The cost is very reasonable in state...I think out of state was $16k for the year it takes for RN to BSN. Better check their web site though, don't take my word for it. I think you will find LOTS of opportunities for programs. Maybe you should try to narrow down where you want tolive for a while?

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Thanks! I was actually looking at John Hopkins but I think I was setting myself too high haha...school is beautiful but heard it was expensive & hard to get into..? I've been everywhere. I wouldn't mind living in the north, though. Me and the south have a love-hate relationship right now:lol2: Although I wouldn't mind Florida...I just don't know many good nursing schools & have been researching like crazy. Thanks, I will definately look into Maryland.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

If I were you, I would check the website of each state's Board of Nursing for a list of schools in areas that interest you. At the beginning of your search, don't narrow things down to much. Try to make a big list of possibilities to start with.

Then, I would visit the web pages of those schools to narrow the list down a bit.

Then I would contact each one left on your list and start looking at specific features of each school and location to determine which is the best for your personal preferences.

Good luck!

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I've heard really great things about Fairfield Univ's (Fairfield, CT) BSN program. Or University of Bridgeport, or call check our Yale New Haven Hospital. I don't know if they have a program but I'm sure they can direct you to a top-notch one. Good luck!!

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Thanks for all the help and replies. It really does help...I will try and narrow down my search and contact colleges. Do you think it is generally more expensive up north than it is going to school in the south??

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Specializes in Family Practice, Primary Care.

I am from New England so I can throw my opinion in here.

New England is WAY overpriced, especially CT. If you want a school on the east coast, I'd try something in southern Maine. Maine is fairly cheap and is comparable to the south. Southern Maine is also 2 hours from Boston and 6 hours from NYC, so you can be in the bigger cities and still have a small town atmosphere.

Mainers are also very, very friendly (tourism and hospitality are our #1 business) so that is comparable to the south as well. You will find that many New Englanders are very blunt. Many people interpret it as rude; it's just that New Englanders don't like to bullshit around and like to get things done. Even in Maine you'll find that people can be very fast-paced.

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I keep hearing about how difficult it is to get a new grad position in Maine/NH/VT though. Do you find that to be the case? It might be cheap to live there, but if you can't find employment..that might not help. I would love to move back north down the road, but this rumor haunts me. Can you shed some light?

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Specializes in Family Practice, Primary Care.
I keep hearing about how difficult it is to get a new grad position in Maine/NH/VT though. Do you find that to be the case? It might be cheap to live there, but if you can't find employment..that might not help. I would love to move back north down the road, but this rumor haunts me. Can you shed some light?

It is in ME/NH/VT. However, in Boston there are TONS of openings. I plan on getting my BSN in Maine and then moving to NJ/NY/MA. In the northeast, all the states are close together so the schools are all known to employers.

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I am from New England so I can throw my opinion in here.

New England is WAY overpriced, especially CT. If you want a school on the east coast, I'd try something in southern Maine. Maine is fairly cheap and is comparable to the south. Southern Maine is also 2 hours from Boston and 6 hours from NYC, so you can be in the bigger cities and still have a small town atmosphere.

Mainers are also very, very friendly (tourism and hospitality are our #1 business) so that is comparable to the south as well. You will find that many New Englanders are very blunt. Many people interpret it as rude; it's just that New Englanders don't like to bullshit around and like to get things done. Even in Maine you'll find that people can be very fast-paced.

Thanks...I'll look into Maine, although I wasn't looking too far up north..? But, to put it frankly...Im a little nervous converting. I know how some people in the north are more "blunt & fast paced"...rude as some may call it...Im used to the "southern hospitality atmosphere"...the only family I have up north are the towards the midwest regions...& I've been in the city. It's not so bad; I can tolerate some rudeness & have patience...but should I be worried? Or what should I expect if I was to go to school up north...coming from the south??

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Specializes in Family Practice, Primary Care.
Thanks...I'll look into Maine, although I wasn't looking too far up north..? But, to put it frankly...Im a little nervous converting. I know how some people in the north are more "blunt & fast paced"...rude as some may call it...Im used to the "southern hospitality atmosphere"...the only family I have up north are the towards the midwest regions...& I've been in the city. It's not so bad; I can tolerate some rudeness & have patience...but should I be worried? Or what should I expect if I was to go to school up north...coming from the south??

It's just a completely different atmosphere. Just learn to appreciate the differences and learn about yourself:)

But remember, Maine isn't considered "omg far north" to NYC or Boston. I can't stress enough how close they actually are and the complete change in cost of living you'd experience (we're talking saving 6k-12k a year on rent).

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I've heard really great things about Fairfield Univ's (Fairfield, CT) BSN program. Or University of Bridgeport, or call check our Yale New Haven Hospital. I don't know if they have a program but I'm sure they can direct you to a top-notch one. Good luck!!

University of Bridgeport hasn't has a nursing program for quite some time. I was there in the late 80's and it was in jeopardy of loosing their accrediation then (I dropped out mid way thorough the program). I don't know what transpired with the accrediation issues but I do know UB no longer has a nursing program (checked their website and the Connecticut League of Nurses site and neither show UB w/a nursing program)

For what its worth here is a link to the Connecticut League of Nurses website, they have a very detailed and up to date (July 07) list of all the schools in CT that currently have a nursing program (they have everything from LPN to MSN)

https://www.ctleaguefornursing.org/ct_schools_ref.html

Oh and we are a bit more fast pased and sometimes blunt compared to states farther South but we are a welcoming and friendly bunch..well most of us.

Funny thing, as soon as I am done with my schooling for RN the hubby and I with our daughters are heading to North Carolina. I am actually considering waiting until we get down there to get my RN since the cost will be much less than what it is here.

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