Bchaney

Hey y'all, I was accepted off the waitlist just this morning, and this puts me in a difficult place. I'm very grateful and excited for the opportunity and it is an exceptional program, but I have my reservations. I am OK with an MSN without any specialization, it is actually what I would prefer so I can get a few years of experience under my belt before I decide on NP, management, or otherwise. BUT, the length of the program does scare me a bit. 15 months vs a 27 month program for Pacific Lutheran University, which ultimately gives you another year on top of your core NCLEX prep classes. These are my two choices. I'm mostly worried about clinical hours and not getting enough experience; but, then again, a degree from Columbia and having an NY State license (especially the liscence) could be hugely beneficial. Having a MSN specialty in Care and Outcomes manager is very focused on management, and I am more looking for hands-on, at least in the first decade of my career as a nurse. I'm being told by an NP and PA I work with that an Ivy league degree will make no difference at this point. Maybe down the line for NP or certification, but not for an MSN without specialization. For me, it all comes down to the intensity and thoroughness of the programs. I want to be a dynamic nurse with many opportunities, and I don't want to run myself into too much debt in the process, though it is inevitable. 27 months at PLU would be about 80,000 total while it looks like 15 months in NY with tuition would be more around 110,000. I am on the fence, because I feel like Tacoma would be a great environment for learning while NYC would be distracting and intense (especially for an accelerated 15 month program). I think I need to know more about how much is loaded onto for the MDE program. I'll be contacting the liaison at CU for that. Does anyone have any words of wisdom for me? I need to make this decision in the next couple weeks. I'm thinking of flying out to NY next week for their MDE visit day to ask more of these questions, but only if I'm on the fence. Right now I'm 70 PLU 30 CU. I don't want to make the wrong decison! I have relatives in NYC and no one in Tacoma.