Published Jun 8, 2010
blondielocks
108 Posts
Hello everyone :) Happy TUESDAY! LOL. I guess I've got a lot of energy right now.
Anyway, I am doing some research right now but having trouble finding the info I want...I was wondering if anyone knows of, or has/is attending a more "traditional" private college that offers a BSN?
By traditional, I mean, not UofP, Kaplan, ITT Tech, Chamberlain, etc. I am looking at colleges that offer the more private-college atmosphere, just as an example, something like the Seven Sisters schools.
Any input appreciated :)
elkpark
14,633 Posts
There are tons of these programs around -- is there a particular region or state you're interested in? Most (all?) state BON websites list all the approved nursing programs in that state, usually broken down by type of program (diploma/ADN/BSN). If there are particular states in which you're interested, that would be one place to start.
HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD
9,051 Posts
I think you are confused about terminology. In the USA, the term "private" simply means that a school is not funded by public revenues (taxes). Community Colleges are all public, tax supported entities that serve the municiple tax district in which they are located. Public schools generally have a name that indicates status - University of California, Louisiana State University, etc. but there are some that are not so easy to distinguish. They are designed to serve the state from which they receive funding -- that is why students from other states have to pay higher tuitions than in-state students. Private colleges/universities are also not-for-profit, but they are funded by tuition and endowments, not tax money. Since they are not state funded, all students usually have to pay the same tuition. All of these (not-for-profit) schools will have an .edu web address.
The schools you are referring to are actually commercial (for profit) organizations, despite their sometimes misleading names (e.g., University of Phoenix). They are a recent phenomenon. By virtue of their economic structure, they do not have the same academic focus (research & education) as the not-for-profits. They are designed and managed to produce a return on financial investment (profit) either for the owners/investors or - in the case of publicly traded organizations - for their stockholders. Newer commercial schools have a .com web address, but older ones may have been able to obtain a .edu address before the rules changed.
I think you will find that the vast majority of currently practicing nurses such as myself obtained their basic education via a non-commercial school. There is no reason that your nursing education cannot provide the same collegiate experience as any other degree.
Donald11
187 Posts
Why do you want to attend a private college? Public ones are half the price. Some private schools in big cities like NYC or DC can easily cost $30,000 a year.
I think you are confused about terminology. In the USA, the term "private" simply means that a school is not funded by public revenues (taxes). Community Colleges are all public, tax supported entities that serve the municiple tax district in which they are located. Public schools generally have a name that indicates status - University of California, Louisiana State University, etc. but there are some that are not so easy to distinguish. They are designed to serve the state from which they receive funding -- that is why students from other states have to pay higher tuitions than in-state students. Private colleges/universities are also not-for-profit, but they are funded by tuition and endowments, not tax money. Since they are not state funded, all students usually have to pay the same tuition. All of these (not-for-profit) schools will have an .edu web address. The schools you are referring to are actually commercial (for profit) organizations, despite their sometimes misleading names (e.g., University of Phoenix). They are a recent phenomenon. By virtue of their economic structure, they do not have the same academic focus (research & education) as the not-for-profits. They are designed and managed to produce a return on financial investment (profit) either for the owners/investors or - in the case of publicly traded organizations - for their stockholders. Newer commercial schools have a .com web address, but older ones may have been able to obtain a .edu address before the rules changed. I think you will find that the vast majority of currently practicing nurses such as myself obtained their basic education via a non-commercial school. There is no reason that your nursing education cannot provide the same collegiate experience as any other degree.
I believe that's the point of the OP's post (not to put words in anyone's mouth :)) -- s/he is looking for private colleges offering nursing programs that are not the commercial, proprietary schools. I don't think s/he's confused at all.
Sendana
74 Posts
No waiting lists, exceptional faculty, small class sizes, and a lot of one-on-one time with my professors is what I get out of my BSN program at a private university. Yes, it is more expensive. Sometimes you get what you pay for. I transferred after a year at a largish public university, where I felt like, and was treated like, a head of cattle.
StangGang92
130 Posts
While the actual tuition is $30,000+ at my college 100% of students recieve some sort of aid. My college expenses (tuition, books, room, and board) are going to cost about $17,000 from this colleges aid alone ($15,000 with outside awards). I would say that this is very similar to the cost of a public university.
To the OP: Don't let the sticker price of the tuition scare you, a private education is completely obtainable for the same price as a public university. As for the orginal question, I choose a private education to do my BSN because
*The class sizes are small, my largest class as 75 people in it. Thats the general bio where all students are required to take
*Getting into the nursing school is as close to guaranteed as you can get. I'm doing my pre nursing there and with the selection process the college favors students from there program before outside students.
*Bc of the small class sizes I will share a cadaver with maybe 10 people, rather than 100 at another school.
* Our clinicals are 1-on-1 with a nursing instructor
*The campus is small enough to be familar with everyone, but big enough that there are a lot of things to get involved in.
I could go on and on. Any questions just PM me and I can exchange emails if you want to get more in depth with everything or you could just post a question
cmw6v8
157 Posts
I will be attending a small private liberal arts college with a great nursing program in the fall. Yes, it is more expensive than my local state university, but I was also accepted into the program on the first try, and nearly 100% of students, including myself, received a pretty good scholarship, so the cost ends up being comparable.
I would just search for all the colleges in your area and see if they have nursing programs. There are lots of traditional private schools with BSN programs. Talk to former students, or talk to nurses you may know or even hiring managers at hospitals and see if they can give you a recommendation.
"Financial aid" often includes loans, which must be paid back with interest. When many people hear the term "financial aid" they think of free money like scholarships that does not need to be paid back, which is not always the case.
The aid via my college is indeed scholarships. Nothing to pay back at all. I think that's common with the private colleges. Most, if not all, of their students get financial assistance that doesn't need paid back. The only requirement is to maintain a 2.5 gpa.
My college in addition to the money you are automatically considered for holds a scholarship day for those with a 3.6 gpa or higher. From that you can recieve additional free aid.
anon695
267 Posts
What are of the country are you looking in? I don't think any of the Seven Sisters schools have nursing programs, but there should be plenty of schools near you that do. But without knowing where you are, I can't suggest anything.
dudette10, MSN, RN
3,530 Posts
I live in the Midwest. I go to a private college of nursing. My neighbor's granddaughter goes to a public college for nursing. Would it surprise you if I told you that she's paying more?
Take into account the location of most of the Big Ten schools, and that will give you a hint. Tuition isn't the only factor when choosing a college.