If you had all the funds..

LPN709 · Oct 12, 2014

I like the community college route for a couple of reasons. Yes it's cheaper (although I know you said money is no issue) but the classrooms are substantially smaller so that means you have more one on one time with the professor if you need it. And I've read many posts on AN about people who struggle to get their classes registered because the classes are always full. Obviously less students=more open spaces. I've been very happy with my community college route so far but obviously the choice is yours.

LPN709 · Oct 12, 2014

Oh I'm sorry I just realized you asked this question for nurses who have their bsn. I'm an LPN trying to go to a bridge program but I hope my advice helps anyway :)

Nurse2BeCam, ADN · Oct 12, 2014

It was, thanks (: I just put bsn because I plan on doing my pre reqs for the bsn program.

atkinsob0503 · Oct 12, 2014

I tried both. I started at a University and ended at a community college. I made A's and B's at both colleges, but I was too overwhelm at the University class sizes, the foreign instructors, and too much distraction at the campus. I worked with it but I felt like just another number. At the community college level, the classes are more intimate, smaller. The instructors are usually local and the campus is usually geared towards academics not more entertaining. You are actually known and remembered by instructors and students. I have nothing against foreign teachers but when you're trying to learn chemistry (foreign subject) and you are having trouble trying to understand their foreign accent, it just adds in too much confusion. If you can handle my experience of the Big University than I would say transfer but if you prefer a smaller setting I say stay at cc. BTW, I plan to transfer to a University for my BSN.

RN403, BSN, RN · Oct 12, 2014

I would just do all of my courses at a university. That way I wouldn't have to worry about which courses would transfer and which wouldn't.

RunBabyRN · Oct 12, 2014

I did the Post-9/11 GIB then vocational rehab. I still did the community college then university route, and I would if I had it to do over again. The community college here has a MUCH better vet office/liaison, a better anatomy lab, and was easier to get to. Trying to deal with anything vet-related at the university here is IMPOSSIBLE, and I've heard this from the few other vets I knew attending there (including one in my BSN program). Also, universities here don't guarantee or offer preference to native students admission to the BSN programs.

Nurse2BeCam, ADN · Oct 12, 2014

Thanks for yalls input. Personal experience was exactly what I was hoping for :)

ThatBigGuy · Oct 12, 2014

It really depends on the particular CC and U that you wish to attend. I've attended a CC that had poor facilities at one branch and dazzling facilities at another campus (still the same CC). I've also attended a private U that charged an arm and a leg, but that was reflected in the facilities. I graduated with my BSN from a state U, which has incredibly affordable tuition, but moderately nice equipment.

Since you're getting free tuition, I would take a tour of the schools you're choosing between and see which ones have the better facilities. Check out the faculty rosters to see if there are any foreigners, and ask some students if they have any trouble with heavy accents.

When you apply for nursing jobs after you graduate, no one will care where you did your pre-reqs at. They won't even know, because you'll just list your BSN school. It literally makes no difference to those hiring you.

If you stick with the CC, double check to make sure everything transfers to the U that you wish to attend. That should be your first priority.

Every school is different, but my U didn't care where you did your pre-reqs (either at the U, or transferred in from another U or CC). Taking your pre-reqs at my U didn't put you ahead of someone who got the same grades at a CC or another U. However, I know other schools give you bonus points for taking the pre-reqs with them.

So, to make a long explanation short, since you don't have to worry about the cost of tuition, you can be picky about the facilities and faculty. As long as the CC credits will transfer, just pick the place with the better stuff.

And thanks for your service. Free tuition is the least we taxpayers can provide for you and your fellow vets.

Nurse2BeCam, ADN · Oct 12, 2014

Thank you very much

dorkypanda · Oct 13, 2014

Good points made. You need to make sure about priority like if you were a student at so and so university since the beginning would the nursing program at that school give priority or preference for their own students vs students who are transfers? I've seen this happen for a private school where their pre nursing students were given first priority over everyone else. If a public csu school doesnt have that kind of rule then perhaps going to cc would be a great idea but check that the courses do actually transfer. Sticking to the school from the start is fine as well. It is about prefence(to transfer or not) if the school's nursing program is fair game to all applicants.

ShelbyaStar · Oct 13, 2014

I started taking prereqs at university and switched to CC. I want to be a nurse sooner than later and at the end of the day, an ASN has the same scope of practice as a BSN but may have trouble getting hired for the more sought after jobs. A BSN with zero experience is not going to be a whole lot better off.

So my plan is to get my ADN, find a job and either do it part time while pursuing my BSN or take a year or so off to work as an RN. My program is designed to have a seamless transition- when you are accepted to ADN program you are automatically admitted to a partner BSN program, and after earning ADN you can continue going to CC campus to earn BSN through the partner school.

I guess if I had unlimited funds I'd like to go to the university with the big fancy teaching hospital, but even then would still probably get ADN first so I could work if I chose. Or if do the only ABSN program nearish to me that is also very expensive.