LA County College of Nursing VS. Mt. Saint Mary's College ABSN Program

Nice Day · Apr 22, 2011

Is cost and issue?

ner214 · May 20, 2011

Is cost and issue?

Cost is not really an issue. Don't get me wrong, $50,000 is A LOT of money, but I feel it's worth it for the education and reputation that MSMC offers and more importantly the time saved. I see pros and cons for both schools, however, I don't see one school outweighing the other right now.

MSMC Pros

-BSN (From what I have read, the job market for new grads are better if you have a BSN rather than ADN. Also, my goal is to become a NP or CRNA and a BSN is necessary in both situations.)

-1 year program (A one year program is much more enticing. I can start working, whereas at LAC I will still be in my 2nd year of school)

-High reputation and quality education with great teacher to student ratio (MSMC's ABSN program started 10 years ago and is very well-known. I'm hoping this will be a bonus when it comes to looking for a job.)

-Great campus (The campus at MSMC is beautiful. It's a quiet and pleasant environment very suitable for learning.)

MSMC Cons

-Cost ($50,000 is a lot of money. If the job outlook is the same and I can't get a job, then I will be in quite a lot of debt with no means of income)

-Much more dense, intense and stressful program

LAC Pros

-Clinical locations (LA county hospital offers a unique and wide array of experiences that I won't receive from other clinical hospitals. I've heard that employers weigh the quality and location of your clinicals heavily. I've read that having clinicals at LA County is a HUGE bonus.)

-Cost ($10,000 sure sounds better than $50,000!!)

-Less intensive program (The accelerated program is going to be very intense. I think a less intensive program better suits my learning style, however, I believe I can succeed just as well in an accelerated program. The main thing is that it is much less stressful than a ABSN program, which is a big plus.)

LAC Cons

-2 year program

-ADN

-Campus (The facilities are not as nice and not that great of an area compared to MSMC.)

These are just some of the things that are running through my head. The more I think about it, the more crazy and confused I get. :uhoh3: :confused: Just want to hear your opinions and any advice you guys can give me. It would be greatly appreciated!!

Nice Day · May 20, 2011

Hi again,

At MSMC you can get a BSN in 1 year? Do you already have a degree? How many hours/days a week are you in clinical/lecture? Do you have a family/kids to take care of? Another statistic to compare between the two programs is their respective NCLEX pass rates. You seem to have good reasons for choosing both, but I personally shudder at the thought of being $50,000 plus interest in debt. Here is my plan, I'm going to get my RN first, take a job, any job, and get my BSN while working. I have a husband, 2 kids and a dog and so an accelerated program would not work for me. Have you been accepted at MSMC? I have already been accepted at College of the Canyons and they have a BSN program through National University that is available after completion of the RN. Still waiting to hear from County, but will probably stay with COC because it is closer to home. Good luck.

WorkingStudent2011 · Jul 23, 2011

County sucks! Don't even bother with them . . . :nono:

Nice Day · Jul 24, 2011

I have a friend who works at the LA County Hospital at Olive View in Sylmar. She said the entire staff and management is concerned about the implimentation of Universal Healthcare and the number of patients dropping drastically at County facilities. What she told me is that when more people have health insurance through Universal Health Care, they will most likely opt to go to "better" private hospitals instead of Olive View. The prediction is that only individuals who are in this country without proper papers (illegal immigrants/vacationers from other countries) who are not eligible for insurace will be the only patrons at County. People who have been going there for years might stay with their regular doctors but the numbers are expected to fall and not as many nurses, doctors and other medical staff will be needed. Anyhow, my friend is worried she may lose her job. I don't think this will affect students, maybe just people hoping for a job at a County hospital. Any one have any additional information/input.

WorkingStudent2011 · Jul 24, 2011

Yes, they very well are concerned, especially with the negative publicity this particular facility has been getting in recent years. And the problem does not lie with the staff as much as it does with management and the Union.

To be very honest, the performance of the majority of our staff, from CNAs to surgeons, is great. Most of our surgeons have either their own private practice offices or they come from UCLA. I know of one doc who comes from Cedars every so often.

The big problem with County is the overpaid deadwood at the top of most, if not all, of the departments along with the administrators. They demand a lot out of us and are indifferent to our needs/issues. They are paid big bucks to solve our issues but what do they do when you present them a problem? They dodge as though it's none of their business and then blacklist you if you complain.

You are not wanted at County if you are not the weasel they expect you to be.

The only reason to want to work there is to gain experience, if you can, because supposedly they don't hire new grads. In reality, they do hire new grads and that's due to the existing cronyism there.

Perhaps with the new healthcare plan, things might change for the better, even if it means going out of business . . .

QqGgKk, BSN, MSN, RN · Aug 12, 2017

Hi,

I'm in the same situation with you, but in a slight different background from any other applicants on the site.

I have a foreign bachelor degree and UC master degree in USA in the major other than nursing. Currently, I had applied for LACountyallied school and still thinking about the ABSN program.

I was pleased that I ran into ur post. May I ask which school and program did you end up with? Would you be able to share some experiences and feelings throughout the training ?

Sincerely looking forward to your response!

QqGgKk, BSN, MSN, RN · Aug 12, 2017

Cost is not really an issue. Don't get me wrong, $50,000 is A LOT of money, but I feel it's worth it for the education and reputation that MSMC offers and more importantly the time saved. I see pros and cons for both schools, however, I don't see one school outweighing the other right now.
MSMC Pros
-BSN (From what I have read, the job market for new grads are better if you have a BSN rather than ADN. Also, my goal is to become a NP or CRNA and a BSN is necessary in both situations.)
-1 year program (A one year program is much more enticing. I can start working, whereas at LAC I will still be in my 2nd year of school)
-High reputation and quality education with great teacher to student ratio (MSMC's ABSN program started 10 years ago and is very well-known. I'm hoping this will be a bonus when it comes to looking for a job.)
-Great campus (The campus at MSMC is beautiful. It's a quiet and pleasant environment very suitable for learning.)
MSMC Cons
-Cost ($50,000 is a lot of money. If the job outlook is the same and I can't get a job, then I will be in quite a lot of debt with no means of income)
-Much more dense, intense and stressful program
LAC Pros
-Clinical locations (LA county hospital offers a unique and wide array of experiences that I won't receive from other clinical hospitals. I've heard that employers weigh the quality and location of your clinicals heavily. I've read that having clinicals at LA County is a HUGE bonus.)
-Cost ($10,000 sure sounds better than $50,000!!)
-Less intensive program (The accelerated program is going to be very intense. I think a less intensive program better suits my learning style, however, I believe I can succeed just as well in an accelerated program. The main thing is that it is much less stressful than a ABSN program, which is a big plus.)
LAC Cons
-2 year program
-ADN
-Campus (The facilities are not as nice and not that great of an area compared to MSMC.)
These are just some of the things that are running through my head. The more I think about it, the more crazy and confused I get. Just want to hear your opinions and any advice you guys can give me. It would be greatly appreciated!!

Hi,

I'm in the same situation with you, but in a slight different background from any other applicants on the site.

I have a foreign bachelor degree and UC master degree in USA in the major other than nursing. Currently, I had applied for LACountyallied school and still thinking about the ABSN program.

I was pleased that I ran into ur post. May I ask which school and program do you end up with? Would you be able to share some experiences and feelings throughout the training ?

Sincerely looking forward to your response!