private nursing program or wait years to get in?

Rb72390 · Apr 6, 2018

Hmm, that's a tough one. I guess it depends on where you apply? My community college only looks at grades, TEAS scores, GPA, how many credits you have, and if you have a previous bachelors or masters degree, which I know I've heard many classmates who currently work as techs complain about. I applied to a private school last semester that wanted me to take more classes than I would need where I am currently, so I decided to scrap that school. But, from what I've been told, their GPA requirements were quite lenient. I suppose it might be worth it depending on your financial situation. Might as well contact an admissions advisor and see what they say. If not, maybe you could take those classes again? When I took A&P last summer, a classmate who had been a tech for 10 years was working on retaking all of his sciences for the third time, and had been rejected twice. So maybe it's not a bad idea to retake some classes.

nursetobequestionmark · Apr 6, 2018

Whatever you have to do to accomplish your dream of becoming a nurse! If you did a private nursing school now instead of waiting for two semesters to reapply, you'll still be more ahead than you were before. So I think it's worth it.

elkpark · Apr 6, 2018

Welcome to allnurses! :balloons:

When you say "private" school, are you talking about nonprofit private colleges/schools of nursing, some of which are excellent, or the proprietary (private-for-profit) schools? Some of the nonprofit schools may seem expensive compared to community colleges, but, sometimes, for some people, can end up being more affordable than you expect because of the financial aid packages they may offer. It can't hurt to talk to any schools that interest you and see what they may have to offer you.

If you're talking about proprietary (for-profit) schools, I strongly encourage you to watch the "College, Inc." episode of the PBS series Frontline before making a decision. Many (not all) of these schools offer a low quality education (for outrageously inflated prices) and have v. poor reputations. Many (not all) of them lack the kinds of accreditation that will allow you to further your nursing education and career in the future, if/when you decide you want to do that. Many (not all) of them have low NCLEX pass rates and/or high attrition rates, meaning they find ways to "weed out" all the students except the ones they expect to do well on the NCLEX, in order to keep their NCLEX pass rates high (but not accurately reflecting how well they are preparing students for the exam).

I really hate to see people choose to go the for-profit school route. Consider repeating some of your science classes to get higher grades and boost your GPA, as already suggested, consider moving to attend a cost-effective nonprofit school somewhere else that will accept you if that's a possibility for you (for what some of the for-profit schools charge, you could easily move somewhere else, attend a cheaper, better school, and still come out ahead), consider all the other options besides signing up with a for-profit school.

Best wishes for your journey!

College, Inc. | FRONTLINE | PBS

jaylaaa · Apr 7, 2018

Hi, thank you for your response!

Unfortunately, I am looking into private for profit schools such as West Coast and AUHS. They are easier to get accepted to and honestly that is the only reason why I am even considering them. They do have a good NCLEX pass rate but there are so many mixed reviews about these schools so I am definitely conflicted.

As of now, I am taking classes that can help raise my GPA but I am not allowed to retake any science prereqs until they expire which is after 5 years. I might be waiting for a long time.

I am only 22 years old and a lot of people say I shouldn't rush but I really just want to begin my journey to becoming an RN and the constant rejection is always heartbreaking. This is definitely a hard decision to make and I just have to do more research.

jaylaaa · Apr 7, 2018

Thank you for your response!

My school also uses a multi criteria selection so experience and retaking the TEAS for a better great will definitely help me. I can retake my science prereqs after they expire which is 5 years and in the meantime work as a CNA. However, that is a long time from now and I do want to just begin nursing school.

There are pros and cons to both sides so I will have to think about this carefully. Thank you again for your input!

jaylaaa · Apr 7, 2018

Thank you!

That is how I see it as well and waiting to get accepted will definitely take years. However, the cost of private schools always pulls me back. One school I was looking into cost 80,000 for a BSN but with the interest that will be accumulating, it will definitely increase and I feel that once I start working, I wouldn't enjoy my hard work because I am paying for so much debt which will take years to pay off.

WCSU1987 · Apr 7, 2018

I hear you been rejected twice over the last 2 year's. Can take a year to restart prerequisites at this private college and apply/probably be accepted into their associates program. The program cost close to $60,000.

Feel you on this decision.

kmbxo, BSN, RN · Apr 7, 2018

I know people who do not have competitive grades and end up doing a community college program, which are still just at good just not as prestigious, but up to you.

jackrob91 · Apr 7, 2018

It honestly all depends on how fast you want to complete your nursing program. If you choose to go down the private nursing school route, it will cost more money for the same classes you would take at a state school but they are more lenient with the grading and overall pass rates. Expect to study a bit harder for the NCLEX exam since generally the pass rates are a bit lower.

Paj14vr · Apr 20, 2018

Hello!
I would like to know your experiences and opinions on going to the private school route. It seems that it is my only option, however the cost is just ridiculous.
Or I can also wait for years and for the time being become a CNA or Phlebotomist. But with that, it is still not guaranteed that I would get into nursing school.

Hello!

Private School

1. Check your (state) Board of Registered Nursing

-look at attrition/ retention rates

-NCLEX pass rates

- ARE THEY EVEN ACCREDITED?

2. 80k

-check with that school's financial aid, so you know where you are borrowing and how much

is going to be subsidized and unsubsidized...

-check if you can get loans from family, that can get tricky though

- I am not sure if your school's loan company will have a lower rate than a personal loan, investigate before going to a bank loan supervisor

-check when you can start paying interest while you are at school

Public school

1. CNA/Phlebotomist/Med Assist/ Pharmacy Tech?

-this can give you an edge during the application process and a way for you to network and hopefully

get a job after your RN

-you are still working and saving for school (win-win??)

2. you will have less debt

I think all in all, it is still up to you.

For me, I would go the public school route.

Experience (from working in healthcare)

Saving up the whole time

Networking opportunities

80k debt just scares me a lot...

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/how-did-you-1025998-page2.html

Good luck though! I hope this website can keep you motivated, whatever path you may choose!

MEMERN2BEE · Apr 22, 2018

I don't know you are your situation my advice to you is to you is to be careful with private institutions. I went to a private school, spent late nights studying, long early morning drives and lots of gas money to clinical only to make it to my last semester for the school to close down on us. Since it was a private school and was not accredited, no school would accept my credits. We used the same books as the public or traditional schools used and all. After my school closed almost 2 years ago, I am happy to say that I have been accepted into a public institution and will be starting this fall. I have to take all my nursing classes over but I know that it will be well worth it because I know that my school have an excellent reputation and it is fully accredited. At the end of the day, make your decision based on YOU and what's best and will work for you. What every you decide, I wish you the best of luck.