Giulia

LongTerm Planning: BSN-->Univ Hosp placement-->Grad School at Pitt, Case Western, Michigan, UCLA, or does it matter? I know that I am going to sound like PolyAnna, and/or filled with naivete' so here goes: What I Want for me and my family (to quote Michael Corleone): I would like very much to begin my Nursing education at a school which would best position me for Grad School should that be something that I would like in 4-6 years (after BSN and 2 years as Critical Case Nursing for example). Now I am certainly not saying that I would want to slide into a position that I would not have earned; however, I want to be sure that I choose the school which would provide me with the best opportunities to Grad level work (DNP, PhD) should I still want this in the future. Location and cost are factors, but I believe that I have prepared for these two variables (I'm in CA but would gladly go elsewhere for the best program). I believe that this type of school would (a.) provide a Direct-Entry BSN; (b.) would be in a University Hospital setting; (c.) would be a school with significant NIH funding, suggesting that a bright future is ahead for this institution; (d.) would have a reputation for rigor and preparation such that students are earmarked as good grad school prospects. Having said this, I subscribe to the "Invictus" approach and know that I am the Captain of my soul/future and not the reputation of an institution. So..I visited the University of Pitsburgh two times, and loved all of it--the undergrad program, the housing, the clinical rotations, the professors, guidance, the students I met. I also visited Case Western Reserve and loved it just as much for all of the same reasons. I toured U-Michigan, and guess what.. the same impressions. Each of these schools has (a.)--(d.), and would presumably make me competitive for a first position in Critical Care, provided that I worked my a__ off. I am hoping that each school would also make me competitive for Grad School. Worries about California Schools: Now, others have told me that UCLA and UC-Irvine also fit these parameters, but I worry very much about the California UC system that this time. I see that these schools don't seem to have the infrastructure around them like Pitt, Case Western, or Michigan. Does none of this matter a whit? I also hear from some people that it matters not where you go to school--you're going to be on the outside competing for limited graduate positions no matter if you attend this type of school, California State schools, California UC schools, or private colleges like USF, Portland, or St. Kates for that matter. Please RSVP with your thoughts if this hasn't already put you to sleep. Sincerely, G.

my family and i visited UP last December. It was pretty incredible. The program has vaulted from 72nd in USNWR Grad Nursing Schools Ranking to 50th (well, they're are lots of ties, but UP is trending as well as they advertise!). It is an incredibly beautiful place too.

congratulations psych and fisherking! my cousin went to Mt St Marys. what a beautiful school.

i can represent your high school conscience--i say go with the acute care.. better for the future.. h.s. conscience, over and out..

Hi Haley; you and I are of the same mind. I'm 15 right now, so i am waiting to sign up as a volunteer at a Med Center in my town. I've been able to volunteer for a support group connected with another Hospital--that experience is unbelievably great! I'm just trying to keep my grades high enough so i can qualify for scholarships at some of the schools that interest me. thank you for mentioning the CNA. I'm lucky to be able to learn from so many people on allnurses, including you! :) Giulia

I have a mr thrifty. "thrifty" is the operative term. It is frustrating how little detail is on this guy.

SDRL i remember you on CC! thank you for the valuable advice. I remember seeing Le Moyne listed for Jesuit schools. I went to a jesuit grammar school--(we won the state title in Academic Decathlon! old news..) HS is Catholic but not Jesuit. My M/D have shown me your posts! back to class..but first--need to know origin of SingDanceRunLife!

thank you jjjoy! hmm, being in one's own sub-group of heads-down workers--sounds like me alright. i've been volunteering for Stroke Survivor's support. We meet about once/month. at the end of this month we will be hosting a 3-day camp. I would also like to volunteer in other geriatric settings..this is a very comfortable scenario for me, because it reminds me of my great aunt. But i think that i would do anything in a hospital setting if it meant making me more comfortable, and more knowledgeable. I will start to look for more opportunities right away. I know.. pretty lame so far. Can I ask two of the most random, dumbest questions ever? DQ#1: Do corrective lenses (glasses) work against a person's chance to become a nurse? I'm 20-20 with my frames. DQ#2: has anyone read "A Nurse's Story" by Tilda Shalof? I loved it. thank you once again jjjoy. Sincerely, Giulia from No.Cal.

Thank you so much bonn_bai. That was incredibly wise. Staying close to home makes the tough days less tough. My cousin went to Mt St. Mary's near my Aunt, and there were countless times when her help was invaluable. tough days are less tough. There is also a cautionary tale in our family lore of a member going too far away, when they were too young. I'm pretty lucky to have such a close-knit extended family. I don't want to lose the love and energy i get from my Nonna/Nonno, Mom/Dad and especially my younger sister. I think love and compassion is a gift from Above. being around unselfish family has been perhaps the best gift I have been given (thank you for letting me ramble).

thank you bonn_bai. I'm thinking like you, though since we're closest to the SF Bay Area, USF is currently at the top of my list. Scholarship offerings may be sketchy in a couple of seasons..who knows..the best package may override location. I noticed that the 2007 US News WR Grad School Nursing ratings had USF rated at 54 (tied with other schools), Portland in the 70s and Seattle in the triple digits, but I tend to think that all three schools have improved even in the past three years. I'll keep my head down, and continue to scour this site. I have many cousins who have ventured away from home for their studies and have found--either as a happy accident, or unintentionally--that they've settled into their newly adopted community. Well, i want to make every attempt to settle into my longstanding SF Bay Area community if at all possible. Do Nursing students always meld into the community that holds their clinical rotations, especially with jobs at a premium? that would seem to be the case. sorry i am jumping around so much. back to class.

I am truly fortunate to have several 4-Year, Direct-Entry BSN programs on the West Coast about which to dream. I have visited University of San Francisco and I loved it. I plan to visit Univ of Portland and Seattle University this December. I'm only a Sophomore at High School now, but I am working very hard. Life is Beautiful. Please, if anyone has any advice, sarcastic, fun, both, caveats, emptors, comparing these three schools, please share. I dream of fighting through 4 hard years, working, then fighting more in a never-ending thirst for knowledge. Be brutal, as Max Bialostock would say (Producers humor, forgive me). By the way, is there anything more incredible than this forum? RSVP when you have a free moment. very respectfully yours, Giulia.