School advice for teenage daughter?

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Obstetrics, NICU, ER/Trauma.

I am so proud of my daughter, last summer she 'shadowed' me at my job; and decided she wants to be a nurse. She is going into her senior year this fall; and she has been looking into the A.S. and B.S.N. programs at the colleges in our area. I know she would have no problem getting into the school of her choosing; but over the weekend to my shock my daughter approached me and stated that she wants to attend the one of the many 'for profit' schools in the area (ECPI) to get her RN degree. I looked into this school and was really surprised at the cost of the 18 month program, currently it is $40,000+ just to attend. The local community college is less than $10,000. We have saved since day one for her education, so she would not have to deal with loans, like we did. I'm worried she is making a huge mistake. Is it me, or does that amount to attend a school that is not a four year program seem a little outrageous to anyone else? The reviews on this school are mixed...any advice?

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It is super overpriced and not worth it.

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Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.

What is your daughter's reason for wanting to attend a for-profit school? Have you explained to your daughter that on top of being over priced that her credits might not transfer to a RN-BSN prgram

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

The ECPI program is extremely overpriced. In addition to the outrageous cost of earning a degree, it does not appear to be accredited through NLNAC. This means that any credits that are earned through that program are unlikely to transfer. If your daughter ever plans to continue her education (ie. BSN, MSN) this is something she should consider before enrolling. My advice would be to get a degree through an accredited program.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

If you really want to put her off of attending ECPI, tell her that SHE will be the one footing the bill. I bet that will make the local CC look really appealing ;)

Seriously...if she starts off with a for-profit school, she'll most likely be stuck with them for graduate school as her undergrad credits won't transfer to many traditional schools, especially if the school is not accredited. Not that all for-profit schools are bad: many are good schools. But the costs of attending them can be quite high.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Obstetrics, NICU, ER/Trauma.

My daughter has seen the light, (lol) she has decided to apply for BSN programs at colleges in our area. Her reasoning was the 'convenience' factor; and wanting to get it out of the way...her long term plan is to get her BSN; and eventually go for physician's assistant or nurse practitioner. :snurse:

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

Please continue to support your daughter's thoughts about getting her BSN from one of the many fine traditional BSN programs in Virginia. There are several good programs to choose from. Going the for-profit route would be a BIG mistake. In my region of Virginia, most of the best hospitals rarely hire graduates from those programs. Enough said -- I hope.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Obstetrics, NICU, ER/Trauma.

We live in VA too, she said a couple of her friends were actually talking about it, they were going to all go on a tour. I just am shocked at that price. I hope the government cracks down on schools like that. I personally feel they offer empty promises; but I'm sure others would have a difference of opinion.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
We live in VA too, she said a couple of her friends were actually talking about it, they were going to all go on a tour. I just am shocked at that price. I hope the government cracks down on schools like that. I personally feel they offer empty promises; but I'm sure others would have a difference of opinion.

IMO, I doubt the government will. Most of these for-profit schools are doing nothing illegal. Their programs meet their state BON requirements, which is the minimum required. They are free to set whatever prices they like, same as any local CC or university. And no one is being forced to attend these institutions: people are free to enroll--and spend their money--elsewhere.

As far as the promises of "nurses being in demand"...well, technically they are. What the schools fail to mention is that it's experienced nurses who enjoy what increased demand there may be and that getting a job as a new grad is very difficult. But again, there's nothing illegal there either. Ethical? Questionable. But not illegal.

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BSN only, especially out here is SoCal, many hospitals will only hire BSN now. There is some talk that it might be required for licensure in the future. As for the ForProfit school, tell her you will pay the max Amt for the state school. And the 40k usually only covers the Rn program, not the pre reqs. Probably another 40 right there. If she is smart enough to get in, the a state BSN program should be fine. It's gonna take 5-6 yrs as most BSN programs are 3 yrs plus pre-reqs. Put your foot down!

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The ECPI program is extremely overpriced. In addition to the outrageous cost of earning a degree, it does not appear to be accredited through NLNAC. This means that any credits that are earned through that program are unlikely to transfer. If your daughter ever plans to continue her education (ie. BSN, MSN) this is something she should consider before enrolling. My advice would be to get a degree through an accredited program.

If you really want to put her off of attending ECPI, tell her that SHE will be the one footing the bill. I bet that will make the local CC look really appealing ;)

Seriously...if she starts off with a for-profit school, she'll most likely be stuck with them for graduate school as her undergrad credits won't transfer to many traditional schools, especially if the school is not accredited. Not that all for-profit schools are bad: many are good schools. But the costs of attending them can be quite high.

MCI's registered nursing program is accredited and the credits (after graduation) will transfer to atleast ODU I know. It may be said that the program is overpriced but you also have to take into account that this price includes books and that the program is fast-paced so to some people that may ad value. They have a good selection of teachers who are very knowledgeable on their subjects and the small class sizes make it easy to get more personal attention. By choosing this route you can get your A.A.S. and then get a job and work while you achieve your BSN from the school of your choice.

With all that being said I think for someone recently graduating it may be more beneficial to go the traditional route as long as she can deal with the possible waiting lists ...but just make sure that wherever she decides to go has their accreditation

http://www.nlnac.org/forms/directorySearch.asp

**Oh and as far as local hospitals rarely hiring nurses from MCI's program I had a job within a week and a half of passing my NCLEX

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There are a number of excellent state schools where one can complete the BSN in 4 years total. This could be a 4-year program that admits your daughter directly into the nursing program (such as Longwood, ODU, or UVa), or a program where one is admitted to the general college and then applies for nursing at a secondary time (such as VCU, JMU, or Radford).

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