Look for a College for my Daughter

Julius Seizure · May 27, 2016

This may depend on the area. Where I live it does matter what BSN program you graduate from, at least for the 1st job. After that it doesn't matter though :)

This made me think of another important point.

Many new grads have to move away, maybe even to a different state, to find that first job. Is your daughter open to that? Will you be open to her doing that?

Anyway, even if she goes to a well respected school in YOUR area....if she then moves two states away for a job, they might not have ever heard of the schools reputation.

ThatBigGuy · May 28, 2016

Your daughter needs to do this. You may help, but nursing school requires an incredible amount of self reliance and self motivation, and your daughter needs to start figuring that out now.

The first thing she needs to do is go to the Iowa Board of Nursing website and look at the list of accredited schools. This is her starting point.

Nursing Education Programs Approved by the Iowa Board of Nursing | Iowa Board of Nursing

On the far right of this page, you'll notice a link that says Nursing Education Program Statistics. This is where she will find several years worth of NCLEX pass rates for the approved programs. She want to choose a program that doesn't dip below 85%, and she can find programs that have many years above 90%.

Use this resource to make a master list of a dozen schools, and then check out each school's website. Most programs will have a list of pre-reqs, needed scores and GPA minimums. They will also list tuition and fees.

Iowa isn't known as a medical hub, and the institution name on her diploma won't matter so much, so don't worry too much about a private school. Choose something that's affordable. She'll be making about $30,000-$35,000 a year after taxes, entitlements, and benefits, so she can't afford $50,000 in student loans. Northwestern College in Orange City would be a fantastic option (good pass rates, small class sizes, fantastic town), but 4 years of tuition, room, and board will run $150,000.

Get your daughter involved, and let her do the research for herself. Pay attention to accreditation, NCLEX pass rates, and cost.

BittyBabyGrower, MSN, RN · May 31, 2016

As a mom with one in a nursing program here are my hints.

1. Make her sit with you when she goes thru schools.

2. Community college is great to start, she can get her ADN. But make sure all the credits will transfer to a BSN program. Many community colleges have bridge programs. This will be your cheaper route.

3. If she has done a lot of college credit in high school, it may be better to look straightaway at 4 year institutions. My daughter already had all her pre-reqs done (general Ed classes) and applied to a state college. She entered as a second year second semester there. She was able to apply right to the program.

4. We chose this option as she will be able to graduate with her BSN, which, in some hospitals and specialities, give you a leg up in the job market. She will be able to get her two years of employment hopefully in an ICU setting when she graduates next year and then apply to a master's program ( she wants to be a nurse anesthetist). This is about $14,000 per year without room and board.

Good luck! It is a lot to look at!

BSN16 · Jun 4, 2016

Yay Iowa. Don't have any advice about community colleges in Iowa but I am a Morningside college (Sioux city) alumni, slightly more expensive but truly such a great school with great faculty. I wouldn't cross it off your list

mrphil79 · Jun 6, 2016

Iowa Lakes Community College. It is a great program with very dedicated instructors.

They also gave an arrangement with University of Iowa for a BSN completion program.

Don't, for the love of God, waste money on a private school unless you have a specific reason for choosing one. She needs her RN license, after that, nobody is looking at where the BSN is from as long as the program is accredited by CCNE or ACEN.

And at all costs - stay away from the for profit schools.