Living in upstate New York sick of the cold going somewhere warm for RN school.

JoseQuinones · Feb 19, 2014

Puerto Rico for school, become bilingual and practice the whole "culturally competent" nursing in real life. There are schools all in English (a lot of outsiders do come, from the USA and other English speaking countries). We're a poor island so there is endless opportunity for important volunteer work, which makes you feel good but also looks great on a resume. Plus nursing school is super cheap compared to the mainland, but have the same accreditations. You can always pass the NCLEX and practice anywhere.

ThatBigGuy · Feb 23, 2014

I'm going to school at New Mexico State University. I used their 2nd Degree program, for those with previous bachelors, and since it's considered an alternate program within the school (although nothing is any different once you're in), you don't have to compete against the non-2nd degree students. I was accepted the same semester I applied. It's 4 semesters, plus whatever pre-reqs you don't have.

It's always warm, but you still have some 30 degree days in the winter. It's super cheap to live here: I'm in a 2/2 condo with my wife (1200 sq ft) for $850 a month. You can grab one of the more student oriented apartments nearer to campus for $300 a month for a studio, or less if you get a roommate.

Full time tuition is only about $3000 a semester.

NMSU has very good NCLEX pass rates. Some would call the program disorganized at times, but what hospital isn't? It teaches you to be flexible. All that aside, the content is there and the staff are very personable.

Las Cruces is a small town, the sushi here is probably laughable by most standards, the nearest pro sports team is 6 hours away, but you get pretty good music acts and the Mexican food is great. There is even a growing pub scene with some tasty craft brews. The school and living is cheap, but the program is very good. It's worth a look.

cinlou, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 2, 2014

IT really does not matter where you take the boards, just because NY isn't a compact state does not mean you will have difficulty getting your license, you just need to fill out the application for the state you are moving too and pay the fees. They will want finger prints, application and money, and a clean back ground check. Go to the states board of nursing web site and you can get the application and requirements. I had my NY license and it required more than the compact states dd.

MichaelDoherty · Mar 2, 2014

ohh alright thanks cinlou thought the process was more agonizing than that. That doesn't sound too bad then.. @ ThatBigGuy Never thought about New Mexico before, I'll have to look into it hopefully theres stuff to do there because the first image that pops up in my mind is just dessert and a small suburban city. @JoseQuinones And I didn't know I could go to Puerto Rico for american nursing education? Sounds like a cheaper alternative to Hawaii just way different culture but still get to go to beaches and a chance to become bilingual which is a plus nowadays. I think I'll just stay here and take my prereqs that I need at the local community college so I can save up a little since I live with my dad for free, then apply for the accelerated RN program somewhere else so it gives me time to look at different places because now I think about it Hawaii seems a little out of reach and I would maybe get a little bored after a while being out on an island. Plus the accelerated program take only a year and a half or so.

cinlou, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 3, 2014

I am from upstate NY originally, believe it or not northern AZ has lakes and the Colorado river runs through or you can go ATV'ing into the mountains, a short dive can take you to what ever weather you want, it isn't the ocean and I do miss that, but we have everything else and I don't have to shovel, or mow the grass.