Prestigious RN School

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A general opinion question; What are the most prestigious BSN programs? (If someone said I got my BSN at UCLA or Georgetown) Does BSN programs carry more weight than others?

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

The nursing profession is unlike law or business. For example, a law school graduate has very little chance of securing employment unless (s)he graduated from a top 20 law school. On the other hand, a school's prestige matters far less in nursing.

Local reputation of a nursing program is more important than prestige. Hence, a community college associate degree program with an outstanding reputation will do wonders for your career, as well as a degree from an obscure state university with a locally good reputation.

As far as the 'most prestigious' nursing programs are concerned, always look to the Ivy League: the Yale School of Nursing, the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, and Columbia University would all be the most prestigious.

In addition, the exclusive private universities, such as Duke and Johns Hopkins, have highly prestigious nursing programs.

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Better advice in my opinion is this........ find a prestigious hospital you want to work for and then find the college that does their clinicals there. :)

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

We all take the same NCLEX. Academic "prestige" isn't very relevant for pre-licensure education. It's VERY relevant for graduate & post-grad education.

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Thanks everyone for the information. I am working on completing my pre reqs and applying for either a ADN or BSN program. I hope to work in the ICU one day. My personal experience with my father's time in the ICU has motivated me to give back in anyway I can "one day". :-)

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Where is the best place to find this information? I searched google and it confused me...

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Where is the best place to find this information? I searched google and it confused me...

Google can direct you to college and nursing boards. There may be a state by state list. Schools with highest NCLEX pass percentages.

Personally, I would go to the Pre Nursing Forums here and lurk, and see what sounds interesting.

Best of Luck!

(I agree with TheCommuter. If you are planning grad school, go for the "prestige" there.)

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

I am curious re: the "you need prestige" for MSN statements. I have not found this to be true. I have had numerous job offers and am not even graduated yet with my MSN. My college is a good one, but not "prestigious" per se. Is this particular to a certain Masters level specialty?

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I am curious re: the "you need prestige" for MSN statements. I have not found this to be true. I have had numerous job offers and am not even graduated yet with my MSN. My college is a good one, but not "prestigious" per se. Is this particular to a certain Masters level specialty?

I wouldn't know!! :D

But the OP seems to want it. I figure better to get it as grad than undergrad?

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Definitely doesn't seem to matter much as an undergrad, that is true!

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Definitely doesn't seem to matter much as an undergrad, that is true!

My BA in Psych (that I don't use) is from a decent 4 year University. My ADN is from CC. Guess which one kicked my butt more?

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.

University of Phoenix, every time.

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