"oh. . .You're going to a COMMUNITY college?"

Published

Hi all of you out there!

I currently attend a local community college where I am enrolled in my last pre-req for the nursing program at my school. I live in an area where there is a prestigious health care university fifteen minutes away. When I am asked by my co-workers (I work in a hospital's radiology dept.) what nursing program I intend on applying to I tell them the community college I currently attend or 3 other prospective J.C schools. Each time I get, " Oh, so you're going to go to a community college? Loma Linda University has a nursing program." I obviously know Loma Linda University has a nursing program but I cannot justify spending upwards of $30,000 a year for an ASN. I don't want the student loans for the rest of my life and when I explain this they just give me a blank look like I am a leper. I would just like to know if I'm going to be missing an opportunity of some unforeseen sort if I just stick with the Community college route and get my BSN after I pass my boards or does it even make a difference?

I really appreciate all your help!:bow:

S.D

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Just explain that you are smart enough to get into an extrememly competitive and affordable program with a three (or whatever) year waiting list.

Get good grades and you can always get into an excellent RN-BSN program.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg, Telemetry, Mom Baby, Hospice, Rehab, LTC.

My goodness, people are so shallow. I don't see anything wrong with attending a community college. If you get accepted into a community college ADN program, go for it. You will be saving yourself so much more money. All that really matters is you pass the boards to get your RN license. You can always go back like you said to get your BSN at one of the more "acceptable/prestigious" schools - whatever that is. Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in SRNA.
Each time I get, " Oh, so you're going to go to a community college? Loma Linda University has a nursing program."

To which you reply confidently, "Yes, I am!" No need to get into an argument over the fact that each type of program graduates students who take the same board examination to become Registered Nurses. Your only concern should be if the CC/ADN program you are attending generates quality, prepared graduates that get hired!

As many threads here indicate, new grads are generally paid the same pay rate to start (as they are all inexperienced in the workforce).

I applied to both BSN/MSN programs and CC programs in an attempt to get into a quality program at any level.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

I am sorry that they were making you feel that a ADN program at the JC was not "good enough" I know how you feel.

Sometimes I will get that when I tell others where I am going and they are like "Well why didn't you want to go to state?"

My normal reply is " Many grad's from both programs have stated that the JC has a better program" Sometimes I will get into the $$ difference but most of the time they could care less about the $$.

I believe that it should be a happy medium between what you really want and what you can afford. My JC gives me both of that.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac, Adolescent/Child Mental Health.

The two-year ADN program at the JC I attended is one of the more respected programs in my area with a high NCLEX pass rate.

So to anyone who pooh-poohs my ADN and my JC education I say GOOD DAY!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

You'll earn far more money with your community college nursing degree than the people who earned bachelors degrees in useless humanities majors at expensive private universities. Sorry, but there's not a huge demand in the job market for philosophy majors at the present time.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.

A few years ago before I transfered to a state college I was talking to my cousin and I mentioned which college I was going to (a JC/ community college) and he was like, ""Oh, not a real college"...the same cousin who has been in and out of jail, didn't graduate high school because he ran away to live with a gang, and has a heart of an 80yr old man because he had a heart attack and was in a coma for a week after mixing uppers and downers.....I just rolled my eyes. I think people that do not go to community colleges first are the dumb ones; I saved so much money by getting my A.A.; and the only reason I transfered is because I want my BSN and you can not get that at a JC obviously...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych, M-S, FP, Women's Health.

Toodee,

I don't think it really matters WHERE you go to school anymore. What really matters that you learn the information and concepts necessary to build a solid enough knowledge base to pass boards and become a safe nurse. After all.....the REAL education starts on your first day of work as an RN - and continues every day there after. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Rural Nursing = Med/Surg, ER, OB, ICU.

I just graduated with my ADN at a wonderful community college and passed my boards in July 1st try with 75 questions. I work in a small rural hospital with nurses that have BSN's from wonderful colleges and many ADN's as well. You cannot tell who has what by the nurses they are on the floor. We all do the same job and respect each other. It does not matter which college you went to. What matters is the kind of nurse you are in the end!:nurse:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, Telephone Triage.

I went to a community college for my ADN and I don't regret it at all. Sure, maybe some day I'll get a BSN. But for now, I'm making a very good salary at per diem wages in the Bay Area. I canmake 60-70K a year just working 2-3 days per week! BSN's don't make more unless they are in management. Maybe you could tell these people "Good luck paying off your loans."

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Do not let those people make you feel bad...they will not be paying your loans after you graduate, so they don't have a say.

On another note, I live in Northern California, but my mom lives in Riverside. A couple of years ago she had surgery for ovarian cancer, and spent 31 days in Loma Linda's ICU. Her care was excellent and her nurses were great. Surprisingly, most of her nurses went to community college (I remember one went to SBVC). One nurse even said that she felt they (the students from SBVC) were more prepared than the Loma Linda students...I have no idea about that statement, but I know she was a great nurse.

I don't think it is as much as the school as it is the student. Study hard and pay attention at clinicals, and you will be a great nurse.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion