Need help in choosing nursing program... (Azusa Pacific University vs. CSU San Marcos)

[brianaangel]

Hi there,

I'm having trouble deciding either between Azusa Pacific University (Inland Empire Regional Center) ELM program or CSU San Marcos (Temecula Campus) AGSN program. My main concerns are the staff support, flexibility of hours, distance of travel for clinicals, tuition fees, program organization, and reputation of the school itself. Azusa Pacific is a 4-year program, which allows you to earn a BSN in 18 months and a MSN specialty by the end of the program. CSU San Marcos is a 22-24 month program, which is an Accelerated BSN program. I have read extensively about both programs, but not much information was said about the satellite campuses for either.

I will be commuting from Riverside from either campus. Here are some pros and cons I've thought of for each school.

Azusa Pacific University: http://www.apu.edu/nursing/graduate/elm/

Pros: Shorter travel (~15 minutes), option to earn MSN specialty without reapplying

Cons: Expensive tuition (~48k for BSN for 70 units + ~35k for MSN for 50 units), less flexible hours

CSUSM: Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Accelerated | Extended Learning | CSUSM

Pros: Cheaper tuition (~45k for 78 units), more flexible hours

Cons: Farther travel (45 minutes-1 hour)

I don't mind going to either, but I do like the fact that APU is closer since I'm not much of a distance driver. The only concern is that I don't know if it's worth going to APU if the APU Family Nurse Practitioner Master's Program is not worth it.

Any advice or information from past graduates or friends with graduates from either school is very welcome. I thank you all for the taking the time in helping me make this decision!

- Bree

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Moved to our Student forum.