Second Degree BSN Portland or Bay Area

[Nurse Johanna]

I started in the Entry-Level MSN at MGH Institute of Health Professions last year and absolutely hated it. I found the program overly pretentious and I just couldn't stand the thought of 3 years in both that program and in Boston, so I withdrew after 8 weeks. Now, I want to find a second degree or accelerated BSN program in either Portland, OR, or the Bay Area. Has anyone out there attended a program in either of these places? Any advice or words of wisdom? I'm pretty much open to anything anyone has to say! Thanks!

[just_cause, BSN, RN]

There are two.....

OHSU offers an accelerated BSN (better check them quick application is due shortly..it's very easy app though

Then you have the Linfield BSN program.... that's about it - :)

[CaLLaCoDe, BSN, RN]

I would chose Portland over the bay area. Housing is soooo utterly expensive. I've lived in both places and love them both, but housing in SF is hard to come by. I'm sure all of the universities, OHSU, Stanford, UCSF, are outstanding. Choosing one over the other would be difficult. Samuel Merrit in Oakland is also a very fine school. Good luck 2u!

[Nurse Salt]

In the Bay Area there is Samuel Merritt College, they have several campuses around the Bay that begin several times a year. I graduated from the SF campus in May 07 and wouldn't trade my experience there for anything. I received a solid education on which I have begun to build the foundation of my nursing career. It was fast paced but very doable... Apps for a May 09 start date are due by Nov 1st (I believe) but check into it, PM me if you have questions. Good Luck!

[pauldusseau]

I found this via google while actually looking for a nursing program in Portland (my current home) which is a fantastic city (also, I literally live across the street from Linfield).

But, I have a friend who lives in the Bay area who has been suggesting for MONTHS that I move down to go to school in CA. Her main argument is that CA has a government program that will forgive and/or repay student loans if you work as a nurse for X number of years in the state. It's not the kind of thing I'd expect her to know about, and haven't been able to find any information on such a program on-line.

Does this ring any bells with anyone?

[suzanne4, RN]

Right now, the Bay Area is oversaturated with new grads and many are having problems getting hired. CA also has a severe money shortage at this time. State workers are being required to take the first and third Friday off each and every month and without pay. There are many more nursing schools here and not near enough new grad programs. There are lay-offs and hiring freezes in place all over the state and the Bay Area is not immune from this.

They are cutting funding all over the place, so this most definitely is not going to be in place now.

We are also seeing new grad programs that were to start this month being cut all over the state right now.

Just some things to think about.

[pauldusseau]

Wow, that sounds astoundingly bleak! Thanks for the info, looks like I'm searching closer to home after all. (just as well, rent here costs something like 30% of what is does in the Bay area, and the commute is always shorter to boot)