how important is a top ranked nursing school?

NICU_Nurse, BSN, RN · Sep 17, 2003

I'd be more prone to go for the school with the strongest ranking in the individual program you're entering, rather than choosing a school based simply on the general ranking of that school. It doesn't matter if you go to Yale if their program is horrible.

iliel · Sep 17, 2003

Originally posted by NICU_Nurse
I'd be more prone to go for the school with the strongest ranking in the individual program you're entering, rather than choosing a school based simply on the general ranking of that school. It doesn't matter if you go to Yale if their program is horrible.

Opps...I guess I wasn't very clear.

That is what I'm talking about...attending a school that's toped ranked in the NP area I'm looking for.

I'm wondering if that matters or not when looking for empolyment.

nursesrocks · Sep 17, 2003

i'm gonna wait for replies on this one. i have the same question in mind..

NICU_Nurse, BSN, RN · Sep 17, 2003

Yes, I understood you the first time.

What I said was that (to rephrase):

The reputation of the particular program that you are in is likely to hold more value for potential employers than the reputation of the school itself.

Therefore, in my opinion, you should choose the school with the strongest NP program in your area of preference, rather than choosing a school simply because the school is ranked well.

If you choose a school based on the ranking of that *school*, rather than the ranking of the NP program you are interested in, you are doing yourself a disservice. You may say, "But if they've never heard of the school, what's the difference? If I go to Yale (example) and they've heard of Yale they'll be more likely to hire me!" and you are, in fact, probably correct.

You may get hired because they're impressed with the name of your school.

However, if another candidate comes along who has stronger skills and more comprehensive knowledge than you do, who do you think will be hired?

Furthermore, you have basically one shot at a post-grad education. Wouldn't you want to get the best education you possibly could? For your own peace of mind? For the benefit of your patients?

Coming back to my original post, I will reiterate: It doesn't matter if you go to Yale (Or Harvard or Stanford or whatever well-known school you can plug in here) if their program is weak.

Of course, it is possible to find a wonderful program at a wonderful school with each having a wonderful reputation. You just have to do your homework.

Good luck!

Quickbeam, BSN, RN · Sep 17, 2003

In my experience, the prestige of the school you attended matters less in nursing than any other profession I've seen. Now, if you want to go on to become an academic, then maybe it would be a tipping factor. Or, if you want to be a NP in an area already flooded with them, a high prestige school might open some doors. But in clinical work I've seen nurses from Yale and Your Local Community College treated absolutely the same. Best wishes, I know it is a tough decision.

ceecel.dee, MSN, RN · Sep 17, 2003

Originally posted by Quickbeam
Now, if you want to go on to become an academic, then maybe it would be a tipping factor.
Or, if you want to be a NP in an area already flooded with them, a high prestige school might open some doors.

I agree with what Quickbeam says above.

In this area, it matters not at all, where you have graduated from.

iliel · Sep 17, 2003

Thank you NICU_nurse....I see what your saying...very good point.

I think at this point I want to enjoy my education so I can get the most out of it. The second school is VERY good, just not ranked number one in the area I want (it is ranked number one in other areas) and that's fine with me! Really, education is what you make of it. I would be living in a city I enjoy and I think that matters as well.

Thanks for the input! I am still going to shoot for the toped ranked school, but if it dosn't happen, I won't be crushed.

sjoe · Sep 17, 2003

Quick writes: "In my experience, the prestige of the school you attended matters less in nursing than any other profession I've seen. Now, if you want to go on to become an academic, then maybe it would be a tipping factor."

Probably the best way to settle this to your satisfaction would be to talk with the nurse recruiters at the various facilities you would like to work as a NP and ask THEM how important this is to their facililty.

iliel · Sep 18, 2003

Originally posted by sjoe
Quick writes: "In my experience, the prestige of the school you attended matters less in nursing than any other profession I've seen. Now, if you want to go on to become an academic, then maybe it would be a tipping factor."

Probably the best way to settle this to your satisfaction would be to talk with the nurse recruiters at the various facilities you would like to work as a NP and ask THEM how important this is to their facililty.

Thank you, I'll do that!