private college or community college

Some people believe community college is not "real college". Its an ignorant point of view, especially since there has been a rise in the number of students going to community college after high school graduation (rather than a 4 year school) because of the current economy... community college is more affordable. I say go to the community college. $30,000/year is very pricy and with a lower NCLEX pass rate I don't think its worth it.

Call the local hospitals or medical facilities and ask if they hire graduates from the community college. My guess is that's where most of their nurses are hired from.

In my area most nurses get their degrees from community college, get a job as an RN, then let their employer help pay for them to go back to school for an RN to BSN bridge program.

Community colleges used to be for students who didn't have good enough grades to get into a 4-year school. But that's not the case anymore. I've been taking prereqs at a community college and the courses are just as difficult as the university I attended. And I love all the online and fast track classes CCs offer. My husband did his first 2 years at community college, then transferred to a university and eventually earned a law degree. He said the community college classes had the best instructors and prepared him well. Plus he saved a lot of money since tuition is less.

I chose community college. My school has a super high NCLEX pass rate, is cheaper and the graduates are very hire able. It is VERY competitive around here to get into my community college, but the private colleges will take anyone who can afford it. Just my two cents.

There is nothing wrong with community college. However, it really depends on the nursing job market in your area. Going the ADN route may not even be worth doing, if most of the hospitals in your area are only hiring BSN nurses. Research RN job market first in your area, it will give you a better idea of the route to take. You can always just take care of your nursing prereqs at CC, then apply to a nursing program at a state college and go for your BSN. State college BSN programs are cheaper than private nursing colleges. IMO, its probably better to skip the ADN step and just go for the BSN, as you will probably have more career ops with a BSN.

Both CC and private universities can have good reputations and be great schools. The difference is you are getting a different degree depending on where you go. If your area is requiring or preferring BSNs, then no matter how good your CC is, you may be at a disadvantage. You need to look into the hiring preferences in your area.

I have no bias for one school or the other. I have noticed for most of the hospitals here in the city all of the job postings state "BSN Preferred". I'm applying to a 4 year for this reason, but my back up plan is my ASN followed by an RN--> BSN degree after.