Moving to Kansas!

RoxanRN · Oct 15, 2006

I didn't know they folks had Associates programs.......

ucfjlin · Oct 15, 2006

Sorry RoxanRN,

I guess I was a bit vague. I have a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Florida and am applying to Baker University and University of Kansas's two year BSN programs.

I'm not going for an Associate's program, I'm going for another Bachelor degree.

kastas, BSN, RN · Oct 16, 2006

Hello and welcome! I know both schools have excellent programs. The big difference will be in the setting. Baker uses Stormont Vail hospital in Topeka and KU uses KU Med in KC. 2 very different hospitals, but I believe the nurses that each produces are excellent. Good luck with your move!

ucfjlin · Oct 17, 2006

Thanks, Kastas!

I will research both hospitals as well. I look forward to being in Kansas in a few months!

KnarfKS · Oct 18, 2006

I work at KU med center right now. I graduated from associate's program in KC. I would say that the clinical experiences at KU med would be great. I chose to work at KU because of a clinical experience there. I'm starting the RN to BSN in january as well.

The other thing is, KU at least instate tuition is less than half of what Baker costs. I looked into both programs. You might want to look into washburn university as well if you are already thinking Topeka is an ok city. Washburn is a good program as well.

BTW Topeka, where Baker and washburn are is the crappiest city in Kansas, that says a lot. Just my opinion.:wink2:

ucfjlin · Oct 18, 2006

Hi KnarfKS,

Thank you for your opinions. I have never been to Kansas so I don't know much about the cities or schools except for the information on the internet.

Unfortunately, I will be paying out of state tuition fees because I am not a Kansas resident. So, basically the tuition fees are very close to being the same (for me) at either universities.

Besides Lawrence, what would you say are good cities around KU and Baker?

Thanks!!

kastas, BSN, RN · Oct 18, 2006

BTW Topeka, where Baker and washburn are is the crappiest city in Kansas, that says a lot. Just my opinion.:wink2:

I don't think that is called for! I've lived in Topeka and Lawrence and I love Topeka! We have a bad reputation only b/c we have a very low cost of living and it is a very old city. Our crime rate is much lower than Kansas City's! There are parts that are more worn down than others, but we have one of the highest rates of growth in NE Kansas! There are beautiful parts of this city and many newer/nicer areas. One of my best friends just moved here from Johnson County (a ritzy area of KC) and she was told the same thing about Topeka. She will tell you that what she has found it completely the opposite of what she was told to expect.

Good luck in your decision making! I think you will like Kansas no matter where you choose. We are a long way from the ocean though!

ucfjlin · Oct 19, 2006

Thanks, kastas!

I look forward to visiting many cities in Kansas. I am a very open minded individual and have lived in various places. For example, right now I'm in Taiwan teaching English, and I live in a very polluted city, but I'm here for the job, so I had to deal with it. I could not live here for another year though. You can't even drink the tap water. Although the city I'm in now is not that great, there are many other nice and beautiful cities in Taiwan.

Anyways, I feel my time is up here, and I need another change. Actually, I want nothing more right now than to go to nursing school. I'M READY!

Thanks for your comments! I appreciate it.

KnarfKS · Oct 19, 2006

The nursing school for KU is in Kansas City, Kansas which is 45 minutes away from Lawrence. There are lots of suburbs that are reasonably priced in KC, especially up north, or you can live on the missouri side for KU med as well since it is literally on the state line. If you go to baker you can live in topeka or surrounding area, or commute from lawrence(25-30 minutes)

I lived in lawrence for 25 years, I just moved to roeland park, a "suburb" of KC. I like lawrence and KC because there are things to do all the time. Concerts, sporting events, I live 10 minutes from the plaza, 5 minutes from westport. There are museums, parks everywhere. There just isn't much to do in topeka(I'm a 25 yr old male).

My best friend is from topeka, he hates the city. I worked at st francis hospital, I hated driving to work because I had to drive through downtown topeka to get there. My uncle is buying houses and fixing them up in topeka. One has been set on fire twice because the people in the crack houses don't want to be forced out. I have a very low opinion of topeka, but that may just be me.

ucfjlin · Oct 21, 2006

Thanks for your comments KnarfKS. I think most likely I will move to Lawrence because I have a good friend who lives there and it sounds like a great city. I will commute to the program I get into. I know KU Med School is a bit far from Lawrence, but there's always carpooling. I'm all for that.

Did you move to Roeland Park because it's closer to KU Med School? Do you mind if I ask how much you're paying for rent? I just want to get some ideas. I've looked things up on the internet but it's always good to ask people who are living there now. Since you lived in Lawrence for 25 years, do you have any apartment recommendations? I would preferably like to live in an apartment where the bus goes. Sorry, for all of the questions. You don't have to answer them, just thought I'd ask in case you had information.

Sorry about your uncle, but I can't say I know what it's like to be one of those "people in the crack houses".

KnarfKS · Oct 22, 2006

I live with 2 room mates here in roeland park. We each pay $300 a month in an older house. Utilities usually run around $100 a month. It is possible to pay more and get a better place, but I don't care that much, I would rather pay on debt. I currently live 5 minutes by car, or 15 minutes by bike from KU med.

In lawrence I always lived with a roommate. I payed around $300 there as well. But gas back and forth to KC makes a huge difference. I lived in village square apartments on 9th street. They were ok, ran about $525 a month for a 2 bedroom, with utilities around $75 a month. There is no problem finding an apartment in lawrence, or KC area. There are actually way more apartments than there are people to live in them. In overland park, which is 10 minutes south of KU med there are complexes offering a few months free rent to get you to move in.

If you do get an apartment in lawrence I would recommend either living near the turnpike exits, or live on the east side of lawrence near K-10 highway, that way you cut about 10-15 minutes off your drive each way getting through lawrence(I wish I had done this). There are apartments near harper street that look nice and are really near K-10 highway so you don't have to pay the toll like you have to on the I-70 turnpike.

(If you are looking online for apartments, K-10 highway is the same thing as 23rd street in lawrence)

If you go to baker, I would suggest living on the west side of lawrence near 6th street, the you can take highway 40, or I-70 to school.

Hopefully some of this helps.