Palomar College vs. San Diego City College RN programs, which is better?

allie86 · Feb 24, 2012

I HEARD Palomar was far better than City. However, I do not know first hand. I am going to be attending Palomar in the Spring so if you do choose it; i'll see you there!

Daniah · Feb 25, 2012

Thanks for the response allie86. Yeah, I've heard the curriculum at Palomar is great, but if you check the NCLEX pass rate for both schools, they're comparable, almost identical. Palomar has scored a bit higher, but not by much. I'm attracted to Palomar because the program seems to be very well organized, whereas City's doesn't seem to be. Palomar's website is outstanding; they have the classes posted, along with the required books, class times and typical clinicals schedule. Even though City's program is more convenient for me, the fact that I haven't seen or gotten much information regarding it, for admitted students, is scaring me a little bit. I at least want to get an idea of what to expect from the program I'm planning in joining.

An issue I'm having is that if I were to go to Palomar I would have to commute, it would be at least a 45 minute drive each way, and you know how awful traffic is on both the 15 North and 78 West, but I would totally do it if the program is worth it. I don't know if you know much about this, but I read on this forum that most of the clinicals are done at long-term skilled nursing facilities, and that only the last 5-6 weeks of clinicals are done at an acute care facility (hospital). Do you know if this is true? That worries me. I want to work in a hospital, I want to be busy, so I want my clinical experience to concentrate more on this area. I know city has this, they send their RN students to Scripps Mercy, Scripps La Jolla, Navy Hospital, and other hospitals in the area, so that's major points for that program.

I think I will have to really write down the pro's and con's for each school and chose the one that has the most pro's. But in order to do this I need more feedback from people who have attended either one of these programs.

Thanks again!

P.S. Yes! If I decide to attend Palomar in the Spring I'll see you there =)

Daniah · Feb 25, 2012

Thanks for the response allie86. Yeah, I've heard the curriculum at Palomar is great, but if you check the NCLEX pass rate for both schools, they're comparable, almost identical. Palomar has scored a bit higher, but not by much. I'm attracted to Palomar because the program seems to be very well organized, whereas City's doesn't seem to be. Palomar's website is outstanding; they have the classes posted, along with the required books, class times and typical clinicals schedule. Even though City's program is more convenient for me, the fact that I haven't seen or gotten much information regarding it, for admitted students, is scaring me a little bit. I at least want to get an idea of what to expect from the program I'm planning in joining.

An issue I'm having is that if I were to go to Palomar I would have to commute, it would be at least a 45 minute drive each way, and you know how awful traffic is on both the 15 North and 78 West, but I would totally do it if the program is worth it. I don't know if you know much about this, but I read on this forum that most of the clinicals are done at long-term skilled nursing facilities, and that only the last 5-6 weeks of clinicals are done at an acute care facility (hospital). Do you know if this is true? That worries me. I want to work in a hospital, I want to be busy, so I want my clinical experience to concentrate more on this area. I know city has this, they send their RN students to Scripps Mercy, Scripps La Jolla, Navy Hospital, and other hospitals in the area, so that's major points for that program.

I think I will have to really write down the pro's and con's for each school and chose the one that has the most pro's. But in order to do this I need more feedback from people who have attended either one of these programs.

Thanks again!

P.S. Yes! If I decide to attend Palomar in the Spring I'll see you there =)

Columnist · Feb 25, 2012

Moved to CA Nursing Programs for better response.

Nein33 · Mar 16, 2012

Good day:)

Here are a few thoughts about NCLEX pass scores and point systems. There is competition to get into the program and the colleges can pick the best students. You get points for having a bachelors degree, and GPA. Moreover, people are weeded out throughout the entire program, so only the exceptional students make it to the end of the program. Therefore, the students that make it to the end of the program are the best. We have people that failed out of the program the year before rejoin the program where they failed out. So, the numbers starting the program and ending the program remain stable. This is how it works, regardless. Go with whatever program is most organized, you will retain the information better.

Hope this helps you out:)