Is graduating from a top nursing program worth it?

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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.

Save your money, I live near a prestigious private university but I went to a state school instead. I now work in the prestigious private university's medical center.

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Specializes in NICU.

I hate to say it like this- but it's just your BSN. I went to a good nursing school, nowhere near the top, but got excellent experience and ended up getting into a top 10 nursing graduate school. The extra $$ I spent on my MSN was worth it to me because I made a lot of professional contacts and got opportunities that I wouldn't have gotten otherwise.

But going to a "regular" nursing school in no way got me ahead as a nurse, just the fact that I got a BSN period helped. I ended up working at a top 10 hospital for my specialty as a new grad with my "regular" BSN school. No one in the hospital had heard of my school before since it was on the opposite coast but I interviewed well and demonstrated a great desire to be in my specialty- by getting a practicum in the specialty, getting certifications (NRP), etc.

$70,000 is a lot of money for someone who is only expected to make $55-65k out of school. And if you want to get a graduate degree, you'll be in even more...just my $0.02

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Specializes in Prior military RN/current ICU RN..

"do not equate a better education experience" Ok..based on what evidence? Your own?

I totally get your point and I think it really doesn't matter for actual NURSING. However if this person has plans for grad school...high up administration positions in major hospitals (INOVA, Brigham and Womens, Etc) then it absolutely may make a huge difference. For large metropolis hospitals having big name schools on their administration names matters.

If this person wants to be a bedside nurse or head nurse for 30 years..then I agree. Go to anywhere to get the BSN. People ask questions without quantifying or explaining what they are actually wanting. Is it worth it to eat organic? What is "worth it" to each person mean?

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Dialysis.
The 2 year program is also a BSN.

Wow! A BSN in 2 years at a traditional brick and mortar with reasonable tuition? Sounds like a great option!

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"do not equate a better education experience" Ok..based on what evidence? Your own?

I totally get your point and I think it really doesn't matter for actual NURSING. However if this person has plans for grad school...high up administration positions in major hospitals (INOVA, Brigham and Womens, Etc) then it absolutely may make a huge difference. For large metropolis hospitals having big name schools on their administration names matters.

If this person wants to be a bedside nurse or head nurse for 30 years..then I agree. Go to anywhere to get the BSN. People ask questions without quantifying or explaining what they are actually wanting. Is it worth it to eat organic? What is "worth it" to each person mean?

Windsurfer8, you make a good point about quantifying what I want, in order to determine whether something is really "worth it" or not. :) Ultimately, I want to go on and get my DNP or even a PhD, although I'm not quite sure in which specialty. I want to work about 3-5 years in the field after my BSN, in order to get that exposure to the various areas within nursing to determine which area I would like to focus on in my graduate studies. It could be geriatrics, pediatrics, anesthesia, who knows. At this point, I just see myself dipping my toes into a rewarding medical field that has lots of different possibilities, and I want to put myself in a position that enable me to grab hold of the most opportunities later on down the road. I know Hopkins is a top-notch school with an amazing program, but the tuition is pretty large and I guess I needed to hear from seasoned nurses on whether it will be worth it for me to cough up this "investment."

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Specializes in psych/dementia.

Check NCLEX pass rates. Hopkins is almost 10% higher than Towson. I went to University of Maryland and never even considered Towson because of their pass rate.

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Specializes in MICU, SICU, CICU.

A lot of people think nothing of signing a five year loan to purchase a $30,000 new car or spending $50,000 on a wedding.

Myself, I would gladly drive a 10 year old car and invest in my future.

I am not a snob just a realist. A degree from a world class facility's School of Nursing is a very wise investment in terms of nurse residencies, job security and opportunities for grad school. It's an opportunity that you won't regret.

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Specializes in Pediatric Cardiac ICU.

I like your perspective on that icuRNmaggie!

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A lot of people think nothing of signing a five year loan to purchase a $30,000 new car or spending $50,000 on a wedding.

Myself, I would gladly drive a 10 year old car and invest in my future.

I am not a snob just a realist. A degree from a world class facility's School of Nursing is a very wise investment in terms of nurse residencies, job security and opportunities for grad school. It's an opportunity that you won't regret.

Not only all of that, but, despite what many people on this site say, there is a difference in education in different programs. At a school like Johns Hopkins, you have faculty who are the national and international leaders in their field; you have a wide range of opportunities to work with top clinicians in the clinical placements, you just have a much richer and more stimulating academic environment with significantly higher standards, and that is something that, apart from anyone recognizing the name of the school, will serve you well throughout your career. I know that it has in my case. I could have attended less expensive (and much easier!) graduate programs, but I have never regretted the extra $$$. (And, yes, the name does get you extra attention when applying for jobs, although that's not why I chose to attend the program I did.)

What better to invest in than your education and future? Education is the one thing we spend money on that can't be taken away from us once we have it.

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Specializes in Mental Health, Gerontology, Palliative.
A lot of people think nothing of signing a five year loan to purchase a $30,000 new car or spending $50,000 on a wedding.

Myself, I would gladly drive a 10 year old car and invest in my future.

I am not a snob just a realist. A degree from a world class facility's School of Nursing is a very wise investment in terms of nurse residencies, job security and opportunities for grad school. It's an opportunity that you won't regret.

I would have jumped at the opportunity myself, again because of the rep of the institution

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I attended the AWHONN convention this past summer. Kevin Sowers, the president and CEO of Duke University Hospital was one of my favourite speakers. He is an RN who holds an MSN from Duke and a BSN from Capital University in Columbus, OH. My point is that he didn't attend a top tier university for his BSN, but he did get a degree from Duke once he was working there. He has advanced to a top level position. Have you ever thought of getting a BSN and working at Hopkins? You could then get the employee tuition rate for your graduate degree. I hate to see someone go into huge debt. Hopkins is a great school. In the end, what counts is that you use your education to become a great nurse. I have met some awesome Hopkins grads and some quite mediocre ones. The same goes for many of the other Baltimore area schools. I currently work with an awesome hopkins grad, but some of the ADN's I know far surpass some of the Hopkins or U MD grads. It really more depends on you. Fortunately with a BSN, you are highly employable in most areas. One of my kids has a BA summa cum laude and an MA degree from an IVY League school (not in nursing). She has some great experiences and HUGE debt to show for it. She has a job that a HS grad could do. My daughter with an ADN has a much higher income. I am really proud of all three of my daughters, but i really worry about my daughter with all of the debt. It is a great stress for her. She is a wonderful person and a real scholar. It is really tempting to go to a school like Hopkins. Just be careful These loans have a way longer term than a car loan. Keep in mind that although you may be paid more for a BS vs an ADN, it will not matter where that BSN is from.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Everyone takes the same NCLEX. Prestige does not really make a difference in pre-licensure programs when it comes to employability. Grad school is a whole 'nother thing.... that's where the school DOES make a huge difference.

Since OP is aiming for advanced education, I would recommend going with the economical option for BSN... and saving that moola for grad school.

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