respected schools - RN programs better than others

[terisinwa]

Good morning! I am working on selecting the RN program I am going to aim for - and I wondered... in the Seattle, Eastside hospitals, which school programs are considered superior? I am sure they all have their merits... but when two candidates show up and one has schooling from... Lake Washington Tech, and the other... North Seattle CC - is there a difference? (all things being equal like GPA, etc... ) I'm new to the area and don't have a feel for school reputations - paying as much as we do and spending as much time on something so important, I would like to be at a school that is well-respected in the hospital hiring community... I want to get hired when I am finally done and don't want something as silly as a school choice to wind up being a hinderance...

I know this is a little touchy - but any honest thoughts on it would be so very appreciated!!

thank you so much!! :bowingpur

[caliotter3]

In almost all cases employers do not care about one's education. They want to know if your license is clear and whether you have a solid background of experience. That being said, it doesn't mean you shouldn't attend the best program possible.

[Nurse4life09]

I agree with the above replier, but I've heard that SU has a great rep, so does North. Or is it Shoreline CC? SPU has a RN program as does Northwest College in Kirkland.

[caseofthemondays]

The University of Washington in Seattle is #1 in the nation, but employers aren't as concerned with where you went to school. Just get the education.

[just_cause, BSN, RN]

Employer's look at the whole person - where you go to school is part of the image that they look at along with your GPA. Situation dependent it may or may not matter - I would say that as competition stiffens along with the economy that every factor is more important. I would do what the previous poster stated and get in the 'best' school you can. When there are X applicants who all have an education... your previous experience, your gpa, where you went to school, etc all are taken into account - these factors may either make you stand out from the pack. I know my previous job (non-nursing) one of the first questions you are asked is where you went to school... and yes it mattered.

[j450n, BSN, MSN, RN]

In the Seattle area, I've heard consistently good reviews from Shoreline nursing students. If you're looking up north, Everett has a great reputation as well.

North only has the LPN to RN option, I believe.