Are trade school RN programs career suicide?

Specialties NP

Published

If one were to attend an ADN program at a 'trade school' as opposed to a CC or 4 year univsersity/college, are you shooting yourself in the foot when considering NP school?

For example, there are several schools out there that are in the preliminary process of accreditation by on the national level (already have State approval) such as -

http://www.ameritech.edu/

http://www.utahcollege.edu/

http://www.apollocollege.edu/

Some have said the credit is only good at University of Phoenix (or another arranged university) for your RN to BSN.

So my question is, if you attended one of these schools and did your BSN at UOP, would you be shooting your hopes of NP school down the drain?

Thank you.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I would ensure that your ADN is transferrable - just my $0.02. You want to go to an accredited school for your basic RN training so that you can transfer the credit. However, that said, if these schools are accredited (fully) than go for it. My concern too would be that if they are "trade" schools versus a CC or university, are you going to have the credits needed in electives, etc., so that you can transfer to an ADN to BSN program?

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Specializes in critical care.

Where I live a lot of these programs are popping up as universities and colleges closed their ASN program. (medtech comes to mind). Yes they are accredited in the sense that you can take boards. But graduates are finding that the credits are NOT transferrable to 4-year colleges and universities. Not to mention the price tags on these schools are HUGE.

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Speaking from a general point of view nothing is career suicide other than things like malfeasance and criminal activity. If the standard in the profession is a particular license and you qualify for and obtain the license then you are good to go. With that said, I personally wouldn't want credits that were not transferable or only transferable to one school. I also would not put my money into a degree from a school that was not accredited.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Nursing Education.

why pay extra money for something that is NOT accredited??!!

go to a state school.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Progressive Care.
why pay extra money for something that is NOT accredited??!!

go to a state school.

totally agree! What if you cannot complete the course and need to transfer? If your school is not accredited then you cannot transfer credit and you are SOL.

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Hello,

I had a previous Bachelor's (and Master's); then went on to do my RN - I was accepted to a state BSN program then we moved to a different state-Texas. In Texas- I was told that I would have to retake 30 credit hours before I could apply to the RN/BSN program -Bummer! Especially since I already have over 200 credit hours and was teaching as an adjunct professor in a Texas state university. I applied to a private certificate program and got my RN and worked as an ED nurse. I then reapplied to the same state school for my FNP - no dice. I would still need to complete those previous 30 credit hours then complete my RN_BSN in nursing then the Master's program. Big Bummer. I scored very well on the GRE's and my nursing school GPA was 4.0. I applied to out of state schools that were 'more student friendly' and in state schools that were private. I started the FNP program at U of Miami in Florida (fully accredited) without completing any additional credit hours. My RN certificate program was not a point of contention anywhere since I had a previous Bachelor's.

BUT - every school is different, some are very picky (in my own experience) and some can be more flexible. Admission is so competitive they can afford to be picky I guess. As a student though, you can meet your own goals through any number of avenues...It just takes a LOT of research!

Good Luck

Kim

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