Please help! need to make a decision by 2/19

Hi... PLEASE HELP!

I got into both shoreline and renton RN program (so happy :)) but now I have to decide which one to go to... shoreline is accredited and has higher NCLEX passing rate than renton but to go to shoreline I will be spending about 2hr commute everyday. Renton will only take me 30min total. From what I can see shoreline looks like better program but if I go to renton I can spend hr and half studying rather than driving and I have to think about the cost such as gas... should commute dictate my decision? or how important is passing rate and accreditation?

[JoseQuinones]

Passing rate and accreditation is everything. Without accreditation, you hobble your future career, especially if you plan to continue studying or teach later.

Have you thought about moving closer to the accredited school?

[jayh77]

Thank you joseQuinones... I want to get my BSN after and if i'm not burnout after that would like to get master. Unfortunately moving is not an option for me so have to commute. I'am leaning more towards shoreline but just wanted to hear other people's advice base on their experience and knowledge. Thanks again for your feedback.

[happyinmyheart]

How drastic is the difference between the NCLEX passing rates? If there's a small distance I would choose the shorter commute. Just an opinion!

[Ndoht, CNA, LPN]

Accreditation is KEY! A degree from a unaccredited school may be worthless when you try to find future nursing jobs and apply to higher-degree programs. You don't want to throw years of your time and buckets of your money into the water by attending a unaccredited school. A nursing school with a higher NCLEX passing rate may also help you develop a better learning pattern for nursing and train you better as a future nurse.

[tokmom, BSN, RN]

We used to have Renton students at our facility. They are no longer welcome. Renton is a crap school and I know BSN schools in the area frown upon degrees earned at Renton.

Shoreline used to have a good program. Renton had always been a laughing joke.

[QuietRiot]

If the other school is not accredited, then there is no competition between the two institutions.

[jayh77]

Renton is accredited by WA state but not national... tokmom, I had no idea Renton had that kind of reputation... wow~ you said shoreline USED to have good program.. it means they don't anymore? should I be worry?

[tokmom, BSN, RN]

No, it's just that I don't have experience with Shoreline. When I was looking at ADN schools, in the 80's, Shoreline was one of the top schools. Obviously that was a few years ago, lol, so I have no current information. However, I do know that Renton isn't known in the local area as a great nursing school and no longer has a contract with our hospital. The lack of accreditation is a huge issue. I have heard, but not sure if it's true, but the U of W will not even consider applications from Renton. Anyone know if that is true??

[QuietRiot]

If Renton is not accredited by th National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

Then the program is not accredited as far as you're concerned.

[GemTwist]

Shoreline stil has a great reputation and program. Definitely go with accredidation. That is a hell of a rough commute though.

[tulipsweeti, BSN, RN]

Have you considered public transportation to get to Shoreline? This would allow you to study while on the bus and hopefully make the commute more productive. Additionally - did you try to get into Bellevue College? That is also an amazing program(from what I have researched) and would be way closer than Shoreline.