Nursing Program at Georgia Southwestern University vs Darton State College

[tillie22]

Hello everyone,

I am having a hard time trying to decide which school to go to for Nursing for the 2015 school year. I would love to have some feedback on two schools in my area. I am trying to decide between Georgia Southwestern University in Americus, GA and Darton State College in Albany, GA. Below is a breakdown of my education and location.

I currently hold an associates degree in Radiology Technology

I currently have a 3.7 GPA

I am scheduled to take TEAS in October 2014

I live 25 miles from Americus, GA

I live 33 miles from Albany, GA

I recently earned my associates in Radiology; however, in my last year of school I was exposed to the emergency room. This is where I fell in love! I have never felt more like I belong somewhere, than in the emergency room with a degree in nursing. This is why I am back in school for a nursing degree.

I have plans, if I can afford it, to get my BSN. Like everyone else, I do have bills to pay. Darton offers a 2 year RN program and then you can get your BSN online. I do not see where GSW offers a 2 year degree, it seems to only be a BSN. Darton's 2 year program is roughly 18 months. I am not sure how long the program at GSW is but, it looks like I would have to do the basic generic track.

I am currently enrolled at Darton for my final core classes and will have them completed by December 2014. I have also applied for the Spring 2015 nursing program at Darton. I will not know if I have been accepted or not until November of 2014.

I haven't applied to GSW yet, but would love to know if anything thinks I should go ahead and apply. I do not know how it will look to apply to 2 different colleges for very competitive programs. So, any feedback from current and/or former students of these two schools is greatly appreciated!!

[TimothyB]

I would say apply to both programs. It is always good to have a back up plan.

Have you applied to Darton's hybrid program? This might be your best bet that allows you to still work full-time if needed.

Darton's ASN program is 40 hours spread over 5 semesters. This does not include the pre-req's. The ASN program requires about 30 hours of pre-req. Their RN-BSN program is 30 hours of actual courses. The BSN program also has about 27 additional hours of pre-req courses that typically are not completed for the ASN program. You should also plan on having a semester or two between completing your ASN and the beginning of the RN-BSN program due to the timeline of obtaining your state license.

It is typically faster to complete a full BSN program versus an ASN then an RN-BSN program. However, the advantage to the ASN is that it allows you to work as an RN sooner.

[tillie22]

I would say apply to both programs. It is always good to have a back up plan....

Timothy thank you so much for your information!

Let me tell you what all has happened for me since I made this post. I have started a new job as a Radiology Tech at a local hospital. I work a 24 hour shift one day out of the week and PRN the rest of the days. The radiology dept is right next to the ER, which I love. I am getting tremendous support from the doctors & RNs there on getting my degree. I spend more time working in the ER now than anything else.

This morning I took my TEAS exam at Darton and passed! Now, I just have to be patient and wait for Darton to let me know if I have been accepted for Spring 2015. I will find out after November 10.

Finally, one of the RNs I work with said her mother teaches nursing at GSW. She said the rumor going around is that by 2017 Darton and GSW nursing programs will be merging. I have not applied to GSW as of yet, however if I do not get in for the Spring I may still apply at GSW.

Thank you again for your insight and I will be keeping in touch!

[tillie22]

One more thing TimothyB,

I am not familiar with the Hybrid track for the RN program at Darton. Are you currently in the program? And if so, what is the Hybrid part...are you online for classes and only in town for clinicals?

[dzgracie15]

Hi Tillie22: The Hybrid is online lectures. You go to the campus for exams and labs if I'm not mistaken. Applying to GSW is not a bad idea. However if you already attend Darton and comfortable with the faculty and campus thus far, it may be a good idea to just stay at Darton and do their program. When it comes to changing schools, you never really know what its like until..well...you get there..and by then its too late to turn back. Best Wishes!!! P.S. Have you gotten accepted into either program?