Is graduating from a top nursing program worth it?

Libby1987 · Feb 14, 2015

Is the 2 year program and ADN?

JWG223 · Feb 14, 2015

I have the choice of attending an accelerated BSN program from a top nursing school (Johns Hopkins) at ~$70K versus a 2 year program from a state school (Towson University) that is much cheaper at ~$20K over the entire 2 years. The Baltimore / DC Metro area has fierce competition for prime nursing positions in the area hospitals. I do not have the option of relocating for my job. I've been driving myself crazy debating the pros and cons of attending each school, and would like to ask current RNs in the field (especially if you live in a big city with lots of universities churning out many qualified RNs with a BSN degree) just how big of an impact where you went to nursing school has on the ability to land a job after graduation.[/quote']
No/None, unless you want to work at a hospital which is partnered with whichever program you are looking at, and they offer graduates first choice.

sadiemae1123 · Feb 14, 2015

You could ask each of the universities about where recent alumni are working and what kind of assistance is offered after graduation in terms of finding a job.

If you're planning on looking for a job in a highly competitive market then your school's name recognition could play a larger part in getting a job than in less saturated areas. The networking the university might provide could prove to be worth the price of tuition.

You should consider what a new graduate's salary typically is in your area - not just average salary that combines new grads with nurses who have years of experience. Only you can decide what will work best for you and your family.

AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Feb 14, 2015

NO school is worth putting yourself in so much debt that you cannot afford to live after you get out of school! Go to the cheapest accredited school, don't pay for 'brand'!

Annie

CarpeDiem'15 · Feb 15, 2015

The 2 year program is also a BSN.

windsurfer8, BSN, RN · Feb 15, 2015

Do you plan to go to grad school? It could possibly make a difference there if you want to go to a certain grad school. However the schools in the DC area are all excellent..even NVCC has a great rep.

If you just plan to get your BSN then it doesn't really matter. It could help if you plan to be a NP or something like that. Even that your grades and GRE are most important.

pittnurse24, BSN, RN · Feb 15, 2015

Wherever you go to nursing school, graduates from that area usually have priority over other applicants because they did clinical at the local hospitals. I went to school in Pittsburgh and if I stayed there I would've instantly got a job at UPMC because I did my clinical there and I also worked there. I moved to SC to be with my husband and now I am realizing that it's hard to find a new graduate position outside of where you graduated. Im competing with other nursing school grads that went to school here so they have priority. If you want to work in the Baltimore area, then I'd go to John Hopkins University. I think Towson is like an hour away from the city area so if you're okay with not working in the actual city, then I'd go to Towson. Either way you go, you're almost guaranteed a position at the hospital you did your clinical in. Johns Hopkins may have more positions open than a smaller hospital near Towson so keep that in mind too! I spent $45,000 a year (x3 years) for out of state tuition at University of Pittsburgh and although the debt sucks, I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm proud of my education and the school I went to because it's ranked as one of the best in the country and I got to work at the number one hospital in PA. I feel my education and the experience I gained was well worth it.

imenid37 · Feb 15, 2015

I am from the Baltimore area and now live in Southern PA. Go to Towson, unless you get a really sweet scholarship at Hopkins. Try to get an internship somewhere you would like to work after graduation. One facility I worked at hired many of the local interns into positions after graduation if they liked what they saw during the internship. The manager in L&D loved Towson students. She was a Hopkins grad and liked their accelerated BSN students too. There was also a community college they liked to hire from. Concentrate on doing well and finding your niche. So many students are in way too much debt. Those loans will follow you long after graduation. If you want to have kids or a big wedding or go back to school and work part-time, those loans will be there. BTW, Towson is like ten blocks from the Baltimore City/Baltimore County line. I worked right next door. All the best to you! :)

danielle2000, MSN, RN · Feb 15, 2015

Save your moola!!!!! Expensive schools do not equate a better education experience. I went to an inner city college for my LVN. I was exposed to so many things in the hospital, OR , GI lab it was awesome. When I moved towards the beach area and went to another college to pursue my RN I breezed through the course, it was like review because my a LVN training had a strong foundation.

kep308 · Feb 15, 2015

Thanks for this because I got into Duke but couldn't afford to take out the $60K plus in private student loans, but it was painful to give up that spot. I go to NC Central and, needless to say, it's WAY cheaper being a public university. However, I still struggle knowing I got into such a brand name school but couldn't go because of money but reading these replies really helps!!! Yes, a BSN is a BSN, regardless of where you go and you won't get a dime more per hour by taking on all of that debt. Does it make it easier to get a job? Maybe at Duke Hospital, but who knows. Still probably not worth it, you'll still get a job.

icuRNmaggie, BSN, RN · Feb 15, 2015

70K for a degree from Hopkins is a bargain. The professional relationships that you could make are priceless. The opportunities to train in a very high acuity area, priceless. That degree, along with a high GPA will put your application on the top of the pile and open many doors for you should you decide to go to grad school, work at Shock trauma, or join the military as a commissioned officer. I would take on that debt without hesitation, but I'm not you. It all depends on your personal long term goals.

If you were to get your MBA from Johns Hopkins School of Business after that, the sky's the limit.