Looking into Pittsburgh nursing schools

Editorial Team / Admin · Feb 16, 2016

This list provides statistics on NCLEX pass rates. A school with a high pass rate adequately prepares its students to practice as novice nurses. A school that has a low pass rate doesn't.

Other things to look into would include accreditation. Attending an ACEN or CCNE accredited school can facilitate furthering your education should you choose to do so in the future- not all grad programs will accept students who attended a non-accredited pre-licensure program. Both organizations offer searches on their websites.

elkpark · Feb 16, 2016

A school with a high pass rate adequately prepares its students to practice as novice nurses. A school that has a low pass rate doesn't.

Welllll, it's not quite that simple. There are some clever and sneaky tricks that schools can employ to maintain a high NCLEX rate that doesn't necessarily reflect the quality of the program. IMO, NCLEX pass rates don't mean much without also looking at the school's attrition rate. Also, schools can have an occasional "fluke" bad year.

I do agree that attending a school with ACEN or CCNE accreditation is important.

devorahna · Feb 17, 2016

I am applying to nursing schools in pittsburgh. I am applying to pitt, duq, rmu, ccac, and possibly shadyside nursing as well. It depends where I get accepted but ccac is by far the cheapest program. Pitt I believe is the overall best program. I believe west penn hospital also has an adn program.

adamRn79, BSN, RN · Feb 17, 2016

Do the cheapest associates, them find a job and continue to get your BSN while working

devorahna · Feb 18, 2016

Yes, this is most likely what I will do. I can finish the adn for $5000, and then get bsn while working for 10-15,000.Which will be much cheaper than a $50,000 or more ABSN.

peacockblue · Feb 18, 2016

CCAC has a great nursing program and they work closely with California University of Pennsylvania to continue on for your BSN if you want.

gloriancimino · Feb 21, 2016

I am currently a student at The Washington Hospital School of Nursing. They are taking applications now for their September semester!!

lmgst30 · Mar 3, 2016

My plans are ADN/RN at CCAC or WCCC then work while enrolled in Cal U's online RN-BSN program. I'm a career-changer, so this is the best option for me in terms of maintaining my current standard of living. I agree, I think Pitt is probably the best program, but I'm not sure the cost/quality ratio is the same as CCAC. Also, like Elkpark said, NCLEX is only one factor. Personally, I would rather have a lot of high-quality clinical hours than a slightly higher pass rate.

lmgst30 · Mar 3, 2016

Also, a lot of schools are now required to publish Gainful Employment data. These data can vary in usefulness depending on exactly what is reported, but they can help you figure out if you'll be likely to find a full-time job as a nurse upon graduation.

mathia2171 · Dec 9, 2017

Peacockblue, Did you complete your online RN to BSN through Cal-U? If so I would greatly appreciate your insight into the program. Anything and everything you have to say would be awesome! I am applying for the Jan 2018 start term and I am feeling quite nervous as there are virtually no reviews to be found.

peacockblue · Dec 9, 2017

Peacockblue, Did you complete your online RN to BSN through Cal-U? If so I would greatly appreciate your insight into the program. Anything and everything you have to say would be awesome! I am applying for the Jan 2018 start term and I am feeling quite nervous as there are virtually no reviews to be found.

I did. I took all of my classes through Cal at CCAC South Campus which was super convenient for me. I was working days in the school as an " aid" so going to the evening classes worked great. There were about 40 of us and we all were experienced nurses and they treated us great. They knew we had jobs, families, etc going on and treated us well. Honestly, I don't feel I got much out of the program. I had been a nurse for nearly 20 years and didn't really care about things like research, statistics and the like. The community health class was good, but much of it was busy work. They accepted a TON of credits from my diploma program as well as my experience as a nurse, so that helped. I took 2 years part time as opposed to the 1 year full time because it just wasn't going to work with a full time job and small kids. My husband was super supportive so that helped. What I really enjoyed were my school nurse classes. Unfortunately, Cal doesn't offer that any more. Everyone I know recently has done the CSN classes through the online program at Slippery Rock.