LSUHSC or Delgado Charity

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I am currently trying to decide on which Nursing School to apply to: LSUHSC School of Nursing or Delgado Charity School of Nursing.

I've done quite a bit of research and would love to attend LSUHSC, however I am a working mom to two young children (age 3 and under) and attending nursing school would require me to be out of the workforce so I am looking into Charity School of Nursing since it is a shorter program (I might even be able to finish it in 1.5 years due to the prerequisites I have). I already have a Bachelors and a Master degree so I have a good chunk of the prerequisites complete for both programs (as long as Charity accepts that mine are 10 years old). I am aware of the CARE program at LSUHSC, but I want to be able to see my children so I don't want to go down that path.

I realize that Charity is an ADN and LUSHSC is a BSN, but I've also been told that most hospitals will pay for your RN-BSN bridge.

I guess my questions are:

1.) is it harder to get a job out of Charity's ADN program versus LSUHSC's BSN program in a specialty that you want? (As of now, I want to be in L&D or mother-baby)

2.) is the education more comprehensive (better”) from LSUHSC versus Charity?

3.) is there a salary difference in starting jobs if you're coming out with an ADN versus a BSN, or is is it just an RN is an RN?

4.) is there anything else you'd like to share to help me make my decision?

Thanks in advance for anyone out there who replies!

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Hi. Sorry this is late, but I just saw that.

1. I doubt there is any difference at all.

2. I graduated from Charity and and currently in a BSN program. The only difference is with the BSN, there's a ton of research papers. That's almost entirely what the program is. Research and papers.

3. No salary difference at all.

4. I would go the ADN route. You start working much sooner, and, as I said, there's no difference in salary or hiring. I had a job offer before I even graduated. You can always bridge into a bachelors program when you're finished with your associates. That's what I'm doing now, and it's 100% online.

Hope this helps.

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I will be done the CARE program in May. I have two kids that are 5 and under. Out of our group, there are 5 parents all with kids 6 or under. We just learn to schedule better than our classmates. I have coached my 5 year old's playground sports teams, gone to most of my kids' school functions, and taken a couple small vacations. Some classes I could have an A, but I accepted a B instead to spend extra time with my kids. The faculty is understanding as well. I have taken my older son to class with me once or twice when he had off from school. This is just to show that CARE is very possible without sacrificing all family time. If you are a single parent, it may be too difficult without any other support.

1. I doubt there is proof either way. My personal experience has been that I have been told CARE students are usually grabbed first by managers. I have even had a manager of an ICU find out our group was the CARE group and specifically told us to come talk to her if interested about a job.

2. LSUHSC is one of the few nursing schools in the country with a cadaver lab, which was awesome experience. First time pass rate for NCLEX is 83% at Delgado and 96% at LSUHSC. CARE is even higher, and it is common to have all pass first time or only 1 person not pass first time. I have been told the difference between BSN and ADN is research training. This includes being trained on how to research and interpret best evidenced based practices, which is a skill that you should use your entire career. If research is included in every class then it becomes part of your thought process. If it all has to be made up after ADN, then it is just a lot of research courses like the poster above me states. Also, LSUHSC is ranked #9 nursing school in the country. If you plan to find a job out of Louisiana, #9 school in the country (5th out of publics, 2nd in South) carries more weight than the best community college because the manager is unlikely to be familiar with any CC outside of their area. However, everyone has heard of LSU.

3. Some hospitals that want magnet status need a certain level of BSN trained nurses. Often the ADN just needs to agree to obtain or begin classes for BSN within 1-3 years of hire.

4. Another career change friend, just decided to do CARE based on cost being similar for a BSN compared to ADN + Bridge BSN. Timeframe is similar.

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I will be done the CARE program in May. I have two kids that are 5 and under. Out of our group, there are 5 parents all with kids 6 or under. We just learn to schedule better than our classmates. I have coached my 5 year old's playground sports teams, gone to most of my kids' school functions, and taken a couple small vacations. Some classes I could have an A, but I accepted a B instead to spend extra time with my kids. The faculty is understanding as well. I have taken my older son to class with me once or twice when he had off from school. This is just to show that CARE is very possible without sacrificing all family time. If you are a single parent, it may be too difficult without any other support.

1. I doubt there is proof either way. My personal experience has been that I have been told CARE students are usually grabbed first by managers. I have even had a manager of an ICU find out our group was the CARE group and specifically told us to come talk to her if interested about a job.

2. LSUHSC is one of the few nursing schools in the country with a cadaver lab, which was awesome experience. First time pass rate for NCLEX is 83% at Delgado and 96% at LSUHSC. CARE is even higher, and it is common to have all pass first time or only 1 person not pass first time. I have been told the difference between BSN and ADN is research training. This includes being trained on how to research and interpret best evidenced based practices, which is a skill that you should use your entire career. If research is included in every class then it becomes part of your thought process. If it all has to be made up after ADN, then it is just a lot of research courses like the poster above me states. Also, LSUHSC is ranked #9 nursing school in the country. If you plan to find a job out of Louisiana, #9 school in the country (5th out of publics, 2nd in South) carries more weight than the best community college because the manager is unlikely to be familiar with any CC outside of their area. However, everyone has heard of LSU.

3. Some hospitals that want magnet status need a certain level of BSN trained nurses. Often the ADN just needs to agree to obtain or begin classes for BSN within 1-3 years of hire.

4. Another career change friend, just decided to do CARE based on cost being similar for a BSN compared to ADN + Bridge BSN. Timeframe is similar.

Sorry to hijack OP's post, but your post is very encouraging! I'm a mom of 3 (6, 5, and 6 months) and have applied to CARE for this fall. I honestly haven't given too much thought to how it's all going to work, but my oldest two are fortunately in school, I can get affordable daycare for the baby, and my husband teaches high school so he doesn't work crazy hours.

I will say I chose CARE based on LSUHSC's reputation and the fact that I'll immediately have a BSN.

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I am a mother of two children, 30 yrs old, graduated last year from Charity. Had zero problem getting kob with ADN degree and actually got hired in February of my last semester upon getting my license. There is zero pay difference between ADN and BSN so go for the ASN and then work for BSN. At Charity the way the nursing levels are set up you cannot completed it in less than 4 semesters. You cant pick and chose classes. Its level 1,2,3,4.

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I jist saw you already have a bachelors in another field i would consider an accelerated program for that. Our Lady of Lake use to have that. Possibly look at Southeastern as well. OLOL accelerated program was 10 months, an extremely intense 10 months. I cant imagine learning everything you need to know to be a nurse in 10 months. Alnost feels unsafe but people do it and go on to be great nurses.

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I applyed to charity nursing school this semester and would love to get your feedback on how the program is. I don't know anyone who is in it or has graduated so i would REALLY appreciate your feedback:) thanks in advance!!

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For those of you with school aged kids, I would greatly appreciate any information on where you live and if anyone commutes. I will have a 5th grader and a kindergartner. I'm looking for recommendations on a great school in a safe area. I appreciate any input you may have.

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Specializes in Home Health.

Wondering if you made the cut for Charity-Delgado. I have recently learned that the school no longer offers post test review to the 4th level students who are very close to graduating and taking the NCLEX. I expect this teaching process will be reflected in lower NCLEX pass rates. I wish you well.

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Hi there!

If I may ask, what school are you in for your online RN to BSN?

I plan to apply to Charity this January for their Fall 2019 class but am researching ahead for potential options for an RN to BSN afterwards. I'm considering LSU but am open to strictly online as well.

Thanks!

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