Private School or Community College?! Please Help

I would say go to the community college. I live in Phoenix and the wait list here at the community college are 1 and a half yrs to 2 yrs. I got in after 1 and a half yrs. I think it's worth the wait b/c you will be saving so much on tuition and the time you are waiting work as much as you can to save money for when you can't work during nursing school.

Haven't you heard? The community colleges in California are migrating to a point system! No more wait lists!

I got on three wait lists last year, expecting to start a program in 2012 at the earliest, but I'm starting next week! I re-applied to the first school offering the new point system (San Diego City College) and got in right away!

Check into it!

Hi,

I am in LA county, and I just finished 2 years of prerequisites (taking all possible prereqs for every legit BSN and MSN program) at SMC. I was thinking Mount St Mary's accelerated BSN when I started, but the $57,000 price tag scared me (by the way, the "for profit" colleges are double that! and questionable in the job market) since I am older and have school debt from my first masters degree (if you don't, you should consider MSM, you can get in faster, graduate faster and they have a great program). I did not consider a community college for two reasons: My feeling was that in the years I waited for an opening to start school, I could finish another program and be working as a nurse. The years I add working as a nurse far outweigh the extra cost for a state college (not a "for profit"). And second, I think the future is limited (especially in this economy, and in California) for a 2 year degree nurse. That did not used to be true, most working nurses now are ADNs, but if you get to choose from jounior college, a 4 year university, or 6 year master's level nurse--why would a hospital choose the least education? And I disagree with the person that state universities write essays instead get practical experience. That may be true of some schools, especially the "for profit's" but it is not the normally the case--especially in Cali.

I worked very hard and got good enough grades to apply to my top choice state university (that is the thing, at a community college or a "for profit" all you have to do is pass, at a real university, you have to have a high GPA, plus volunteer or other medical experience, and great recommendations) and I was accepted! I start next week! No time off, no waiting, and when I finish in two years (I already had a bachelor's degree, so I am in an accelerated program) I will have an RN, MSN, CNL (clinical nurse leader) and public health cert. It will be a killer 2 years, it is a year-around program with 14 to 17 units per semester, 3 semesters a year, and 1500 clinical hours (an extra 500 for the CNL) but I will come out with just $42,000.00 in debt--that will pay for all my school and about 10,000 a year to live on--a huge difference over 57,000 just for school, then you have to borrow to live above that.

And as to no new grad jobs? There are new grad jobs--just not nearly enough for everyone graduating. At the hospital where I volunteer, they just hired a new grad I trained 3 months ago as a volunteer. She was just graduating from a state university from outside of Cali that had tried to do a satilitte nursing school here for 2 years (accelerated BSN) but could never get in at any hospitals, so she was stuck in the only graduating class and had zero clinical experience--so she was volunteering two days a week. Three months later they hired her into the new grad program! Why? Because they liked her. She has a great personality, she is super smart, and everyone liked her. I am so happy for her. But the point is, don't listen to the naysayers if your heart is in nursing. Mine is, and I have worked very hard, surmounting learning disabilities and age (I am closer to social security than the legal drinking age) to get where I am going, and I will continue to work hard for the next two years. When I graduate I will not wait for the economy to turn around, I will rely on the relationships I have built and will continue to build to get into a new grad program.

In my considerable working expereince I learned that opportunities are not just about resumes, they are about building relationships--taking responsibility, being honest, loyal and personable, never gossiping or arguing, and being wiling and eager to take on any work, no matter how difficult and doing your best. If you do that, people will remember you and create opportunities for you--just like they did for her.

So, look into your state schools. They are cheaper than the private or the for profits, the degree will remain more valuable in the coming job market, and you won't have to wait for years to get in if you have worked hard in your prerequisites.

Best of luck to you!

Pamela

I needed to work full time throughout nursing school. I had a day job as a legal secretary in a large city. I could find only 2 evening nursing programs (AS) in my area. One was a private well-regarded women's university in the city and the other was a suburban community college. I would probably have gone to the community college if given the chance, but it was really inconveniently located and there were fewer spots and a waiting list. I truly paid a HUGE amount for my nursing program by choosing the private school (probably about $20k more), but looking back I think it was worth it. My student loan payments are manageable, I have a job I like a lot more than what I was doing before, and I earn twice as much. Do check out all your school options and apply for scholarships, employee tuition reimbursements, etc. Then, try to get the best education for the least amount of money in the shortest amount of time. Decide which of those three factors you might be able to compromise on (hopefully not the first one) and go from there.

onesmartgirl - i couldn't have said it any better myself! your nursing program sounds intensive but the return on investment can't be beat! i totally agree that opportunities are not just about resumes. one of my best friend, who is a regional executive for kaiser permanente, had said the same. if you don't mind me asking, which csu will you be attending? i'm about to begin a csu nursing program myself (2 year bsn w/ public health cert).

Well about jobs i would not be able to tell you anything, things are not good right now, but hopefully they will get better by the time you graduate. Now, about schools I'm starting my third semester and loving it. I had applied to community colleges (in my case private schools were out of the question). I did my research, i found really good community colleges but you are right the waiting list was huge and many of them use the lottery system so that was kind of a downer too (I don't consider myself to be very lucky). My point is, i found this good school its called Los Angeles County College of Nursing. This school has a great program, you get lots of experience and it is really not that expensive. This school uses the point system, so if your GPA is good you would not have to wait forever to get in. Hope you find a good school!!!!!

Well I agree if you could go the cheap route then go the cheap route but waiting two years at least with still no real guarantee would kind of suck wouldn't it? All the cc's in my area are too competitive and difficult to get into. I have a 3.6 gpa but it's not good enough. So I opted for the private school. I guess what I don't understand is what do people do while they are waiting? Do they switch to a different major to keep getting their financial aid because they won't pay for classes that aren't needed for a major and you have to declare something.

As an early post mentioned... Many (or all?) California Community College's (CCC's) are getting rid of the wait lists and have adopted the point system.

I am a current BSN student (2nd year) and started out at the CCC doing pre reqs. Waited 2+ years and kept taking classes, general ed and volunteered at a hospital... and before my number ever came up I had enough credit's to apply and transfer to a State University.

I have several peers that went to private university route and are almost done now.

Something you might want to consider is your style of learning. I know at National University (private BSN program) they have the option of taking one or two classes at a time, so they can focus on one subject and have several days a week doing clinical time.

Alternatively at the State, UC or at CCC's we take 4-6 subjects a semester and typically have 1 or 2 full days in clinical/week. It can be quite a strain to juggle each class.

Personally I'm glad to hear the CCC's going to some sort of a point/merit system. I previously had written letters asking our local CC to consider using a point system. I was hoping they would at least initiate a modified version say, 50% wait-list, and 50% point system; so that those who were able to work there butts off to get the points and have a high or perfect GPA didn't have to wait 2-3 years with those students that didn't. They argued that a point system would go against the mission statement of CCC's- providing an education to the entire community, whereas a merited point system would lean towards an elitist education based on merit or ability. Well, now it looks like they are now doing away with the wait list all together... as they phase out the wait list people.

By the way... There was an earlier comment someone made about BSN students "lacking" or not having clinical experience at the same par as an (ADN) CC RN student... i.e. knowing how to bathe a patient...That WAS pretty lame. But I wont hold that chip on your shoulder against you. I was bathing patients for a year prior to starting nursing school as a volunteer.

The job market will turn... it always does. Either way you are looking at two years minimum.

The best advice I can give you is talk to people actually in the programs you are looking into. This is how I made my determination. I was leaning toward my local CCC because it' had such an amazing NCLEX pass rate, and great reputation. (It was also the only game in town for a very long time). However after weighing the input of several RN's I met that graduated the program, or current students... I made the decision to go a different route. I can't tell you how many times it has been confirmed that I made the right choice for myself personally.

If you pray... than PRAY by all means. It will illuminate your conversations and give you insight you will need to decide between good, better and best. Remember everyone's situation and circumstances are unique. What is good for one, may not be good for the other.

Board of Registered Nursing - RN Programs

Hi calif!

Well, I don't know much about nursing in Californina but I can only share my own experience with making the decision not to go to nursing school at a community college. I was all set last November to start at my local community college (would have to do pre-reqs first though). I went to pick up my cousin who was having a colonoscopy and in the recovery room, I met a nurse who upon finding out that I was going to attend the local commuity college for nursing school exclaimed "Oh no! You don't want to do that - you'll be on that waiting list forever!" She then went on to explain how even though private school was more expensive, I would probably be working 2 or 3 years earlier and whatever loans I have, I could already start paying them back. She explained how that's a small price to pay for a career that would ultimately compensate me very well and that although I'm 40, I don't have any kids, so paying back a loan should not be a problem. Most people who go to school for good careers end up with loans - I guess I figured why should I be any different. I wanted to be back on my feet and working as soon as possible and quite frankly at this point, I would have no problem paying my student loans if I'm happy and successful and finally working in my chosen field. Plus my other cousin started school at that same community college, finished her pre-reqs and waited and waited and waited to come up on the waiting list for the nursing school and she was never called. She even took extra classes while waiting around. She's been a CNA for years now! Well, anyway that nurse was so convincing and she immediately changed my mind. The next day I went to the nursing school near me, had to quickly study for the TEAS nursing exam, passed and started school in January. Yes it's expensive and yes, I had to take out a lot of loans but I love it! The time has flown! I have 2 pre-req's left and then I start my clinicals in January. I've loved knowing that I had an exact date to start nursing school - no waiting list - no wondering if I'm taking all these classes only to have to sit around and wait for 2 years forgetting everything I learned in Anatomy & Physiology. My plan is smooth and I'm forging ahead - things are moving much more quickly. From January, nursing school is 16 months and I'm done and working as a Regsitered Nurse. Knowing this has made all the difference in my going back to school and my outlook on life and I am happy to pay back whatever I have to pay back. I guess it all depends on your situation but that nurse changed the whole course of my life as far as I'm concerned and I have not regretted my decision. Good luck with your decision!

Karen

It depends on your finances, I would say. Remember, no matter which school you attend, everyone is taking the same state exam. Look at the schools and see which one has a good passing rate for the NCLEX, then look at the price. I'm going to a community college because the whole program costs roughly $6500 and they had a 100% passing rate at the NCLEX this spring. If I want to get my BSN, the hospital at which I will be working may foot the bill (or at least partially). The consensus seems to be that all nursing schools are tough, so ... :)

I'd at least take some courses at the community college before attending a private school.

People at my school complain about the waitlist (2 years). But I'm able to take BSN courses while waiting as well as all of the non-clinical courses, so all in all its going to take me 4.5 years to get my BSN, which is normal. I've got 3.5 years left. Plus, when I start clinical, I'll be able to focus on clinical, and not have to worry about other classes.

If you're able to get BSN courses done while waiting, then you really aren't just waiting.

I personally don't believe in going into more debt than what you're expected salary would be. So if I'm expecting to make $50k, then I don't want to accrue more than $50k in debt. I'll only have $35k when I finish my BSN, which I think is great.

I don't want my student loan payments to take over my life and not allow me to enjoy having a decent salary.

Hi - I also want to add to my prior post that another reason I'm glad I decided to go to a private school was because it's only one class at a time instead of having to juggle a few different classes at once, like at a community college. It has made school so much easier for me, someone who is 40 and hasn't been in school for over 20 years.