Am I crazy?

U.S.A. Oregon

Published

I am fortunate enough to have been accepted at Linfield (fall cohort) as well as OHSU. This decision is making me a lunatic!! I have felt for a long time that Linfield is my school of choice. I love that they go straight through summer and I will graduate in 21 months. I have read through the posts on this site and Linfield has so much to offer. I love that they work so much from a global perspective, and I feel that the critical thinking emphasis that they place on the education really prepares for management and advancement.

Then I got accepted to OHSU. I'm so star-struck and in awe of OHSU. I never thought in a million years I would be accepted there. They are rated so highly on a national level. I'm fairly certain I don't want to stay in the PDX area after I graduate, and the OHSU name will carry more weight out of state than Linfield will. The state-of-the-art sim lab makes me drool a little :D and I know that having clinical rotations at OSHU will give me access to things I will never otherwise see.

All of that being said, I'm leaning toward Linfield at the moment. Am I crazy to be considering giving up my spot at OHSU? Is OHSU getting me off track with their fancy name and sim lab? Then again, in the grand scheme of things an extra year of school doesn't make that much difference and I may really need the extra year of clinical rotations to feel prepared. Someone please help me stop spinning in circles!! ANY advice or thoughts would be greatly, greatly appreciated!

lp.anna10

4 Posts

Andie, congratulations!

I am leaning more toward OHSU, because I've heard many good things about their nursing program. I think that their reputation is a little bit better than the other school.

dohgirl032

39 Posts

Specializes in CNA.

Andie,

Congrats! I have a friend who went through the Linfield program (accelerated) and loved it. She felt well-trained and loved it. SO I don't believe you would regret going there by any means.

On the other hand, as someone who was also accepted into OHSU (Monmouth) I can say enough how excited I am to train with nationally recognized faculty. OHSU is a top-7 school. That is saying something, especially if you are looking to go beyond your Bachelor's degree (which I am). I agree with you that nationally-speaking, people are going to recognize OHSU more so than Linfield.

Another factor (which might not matter to you) is financial. Which is a better option for you financially?? I know for me, Linfield was a VERY expensive option when I was on the alternate list, but I was willing to pay whatever to go to nursing school.

I know these are just my opinions, but from knowing two people who have gone through OHSU programs (a friend in their nursing program & my brother currently in their dental program) they have said nothing but GREAT things.

I'd go with OHSU, but that's a biased opinion because this year Linfield rejected me and OHSU accepted me (strange huh?).

Good luck!

yogamom

61 Posts

Andie, congratulations!

I am leaning more toward OHSU, because I've heard many good things about their nursing program. I think that their reputation is a little bit better than the other school.

Reputation is a huge factor, I agree!! So many things to consider!

yogamom

61 Posts

Andie,

Congrats! I have a friend who went through the Linfield program (accelerated) and loved it. She felt well-trained and loved it. SO I don't believe you would regret going there by any means.

On the other hand, as someone who was also accepted into OHSU (Monmouth) I can say enough how excited I am to train with nationally recognized faculty. OHSU is a top-7 school. That is saying something, especially if you are looking to go beyond your Bachelor's degree (which I am). I agree with you that nationally-speaking, people are going to recognize OHSU more so than Linfield.

Another factor (which might not matter to you) is financial. Which is a better option for you financially?? I know for me, Linfield was a VERY expensive option when I was on the alternate list, but I was willing to pay whatever to go to nursing school.

I know these are just my opinions, but from knowing two people who have gone through OHSU programs (a friend in their nursing program & my brother currently in their dental program) they have said nothing but GREAT things.

I'd go with OHSU, but that's a biased opinion because this year Linfield rejected me and OHSU accepted me (strange huh?).

Good luck!

Thanks for your thoughts Dohgirl!! I was actually running the numbers tonight with my husband. I knew Linfield was more expensive, but when all the numbers are crunched, OHSU is way, way cheaper. It's also a huge factor. Even with grants and a Linfield scholarship, OHSU is significantly cheaper. I really appreciate the feedback and the personal stories of your friends and family members who have gone to OHSU. Hearing from current students speaks volumes about the realities of a school.

I just can't get past the fact that I don't want to stay in PDX and OHSU is nationally recognized. I'm not sure if I want to go past my BSN, but an advanced degree is a possibility. As you mentioned, it matters if you are going on.

Now I'm leaning towards OHSU again. I'm seriously making myself crazy :bugeyes:

CuriousMe

2,642 Posts

Thanks for your thoughts Dohgirl!! I was actually running the numbers tonight with my husband. I knew Linfield was more expensive, but when all the numbers are crunched, OHSU is way, way cheaper. It's also a huge factor. Even with grants and a Linfield scholarship, OHSU is significantly cheaper. I really appreciate the feedback and the personal stories of your friends and family members who have gone to OHSU. Hearing from current students speaks volumes about the realities of a school.

I just can't get past the fact that I don't want to stay in PDX and OHSU is nationally recognized. I'm not sure if I want to go past my BSN, but an advanced degree is a possibility. As you mentioned, it matters if you are going on.

Now I'm leaning towards OHSU again. I'm seriously making myself crazy :bugeyes:

Additionally, one of my Prof.'s told me that OHSU tuition will not be increasing next year.

WildcatJen

36 Posts

andie, I am going to Linfield, and only applied to OHSU's acc. program to which I didn't get in. I would have a very hard time in your shoes making up my mind too. For me, I like finishing in 21 months. I feel like the small group discussions that Linfield makes time for each week will be so great for the critical thinking side of nursing. And have you visited Linfield's Sim lab? I think it rivals OHSU, so that isn't the factor. If I were younger, and planning to live out of state in the future, I would want the OHSU name too.

When you calculated the costs, did you consider with Linfield that you will then be free to work for a year, and earn money to offset the higher tuition costs?

tough choice to make, I don't envy you that. Maybe just put the two names in a hat.... ha ha! Good luck!

CuriousMe

2,642 Posts

andie, I am going to Linfield, and only applied to OHSU's acc. program to which I didn't get in. I would have a very hard time in your shoes making up my mind too. For me, I like finishing in 21 months. I feel like the small group discussions that Linfield makes time for each week will be so great for the critical thinking side of nursing. And have you visited Linfield's Sim lab? I think it rivals OHSU, so that isn't the factor. If I were younger, and planning to live out of state in the future, I would want the OHSU name too.

When you calculated the costs, did you consider with Linfield that you will then be free to work for a year, and earn money to offset the higher tuition costs?

tough choice to make, I don't envy you that. Maybe just put the two names in a hat.... ha ha! Good luck!

I curious about the small group discussion each week?

It sounds like clinical seminar (I'm an OHSU student). We have an hour meeting each week with our clinical group (8 people and the professor) that is called clinical seminar. It's used to discuss issues and situations that impacted us in clinicals that week, as well as different topics that impact our care over all.

WildcatJen

36 Posts

CuriousMe,

sounds like the same thing. I don't know what it's called specifically at Linfield, but that is what they do... 8 students to one faculty meet to discuss what is seen that week in clinicals.

This is why this forum is so good... we can compare the finest details and hopefully help andie make this tough decision. Thanks for your insight CuriousMe, and good luck Andie!

CuriousMe

2,642 Posts

CuriousMe,

sounds like the same thing. I don't know what it's called specifically at Linfield, but that is what they do... 8 students to one faculty meet to discuss what is seen that week in clinicals.

This is why this forum is so good... we can compare the finest details and hopefully help andie make this tough decision. Thanks for your insight CuriousMe, and good luck Andie!

My pleasure, happy to help. Actually this year, our clinical seminar's were two hours now that I think about it.

Anyway, happy to help!

Peace,

CuriousMe

yogamom

61 Posts

andie, I am going to Linfield, and only applied to OHSU's acc. program to which I didn't get in. I would have a very hard time in your shoes making up my mind too. For me, I like finishing in 21 months. I feel like the small group discussions that Linfield makes time for each week will be so great for the critical thinking side of nursing. And have you visited Linfield's Sim lab? I think it rivals OHSU, so that isn't the factor. If I were younger, and planning to live out of state in the future, I would want the OHSU name too.

When you calculated the costs, did you consider with Linfield that you will then be free to work for a year, and earn money to offset the higher tuition costs?

tough choice to make, I don't envy you that. Maybe just put the two names in a hat.... ha ha! Good luck!

Thanks for the thoughts Jenmiller! Today, I'm strongly leaning towards Linfield. ((although that is subject to change by the hour :D)) The two schools seem so comparable. Right down to the weekly clinical discussions. In an effort to make the best choice given my desire to move back to Seattle, I decided to go straight to the source. I called a few nursing recruiters at the major Seattle hospitals to ask their opinion. They all said the same thing...both schools are excellent. Either way I'll end up with a BSN so they felt like it was wash. That being said, I have to consider being less available for my daughters and not contributing financially (which TOTALLY stresses out the husband) for an extra year with OHSU. Aaaarrgggg...so many things to consider!! Today though, I'm thinking Linfield is the best option for me. Are you in the fall or summer cohort?

WildcatJen

36 Posts

I'm in for the fall (may 2012 finish), and have four children and a hubby. Good to hear the Seattle schools felt both schools are excellent. I really like finishing sooner myself.

All the best Andie, and can't wait to hear what you decide.

+ Add a Comment