Students who move out of state to pursue nursing

Published

Okay, after carefully reviewing my options, I've decided that maybe I should move out of state to attend a nursing school because the ones in Michigan have such a long waiting list and many ppl don't get accepted. Do you think this is a good decision? To transfer to a University and live in a dorm to complete nursing school? I brought this up to a friend, and she got defensive, and knocked the idea.

Has anyone ever done this before? If so, do you regret the decision or are you glad you did it?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in General adult inpatient psychiatry.

I didn't move out of state, but I moved away from home and into the dorm for the first two years (pre-requisites) and then found an apartment during junior year. Because I was in state, tuition hasn't been ridiculous but I would have gone out of state and bit the bullet if I'd been accepted to a good school. All the community colleges around me growing up had serious waiting lists and I also wanted to go for the Bachelor's and not the Associate's degree. Hope this helps, even if it's not quite what you're looking for.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics, Transplant, Education.

I didn't move out of state, but I moved to a college 45 min away from my house & lived in a dorm to get "the college experience". I don't regret the way I obtained my BSN. If moving out of state works for you, I say go for it!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.

I moved out of state for the reasons you're stating, I wanted to escape the long waiting lists my homestate had. I moved to PA, got into the nursing program immediately. I got into a diploma RN program, not a BSN program, so I had to find my own housing. I'm glad I choose the diploma route though, as all my tuition was paid for by the hospital, that never would have happened back home either. Now, living in a more metro area, I have more opportunties for work and career advancement. :nurse:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in keeping all options open right now..

moving out of state will just give you a degree from the college/university you attend. When it comes time to apply for a license and take the Boards, you can elect to take them/apply for it from your home state instead of the state you attended school.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Clinical Documentation Specialist.

I just heard on my class discussion board that one CC in our state doesn't have a wait list, I thought they all did. If I were you, I would check more rural schools that may not have a wait list. That way you still get instate tuition. I am going to be finishing my school out of state, but I am going to take classes part time until I meet the 1 year residency requirement and then go FT at the instate rates (saves me 12k per year that way).

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.
I just heard on my class discussion board that one CC in our state doesn't have a wait list, I thought they all did. If I were you, I would check more rural schools that may not have a wait list. That way you still get instate tuition. I am going to be finishing my school out of state, but I am going to take classes part time until I meet the 1 year residency requirement and then go FT at the instate rates (saves me 12k per year that way).

I came from a rural area. The problem with rural cc's, is that there are also less clinical sites in a rural area, so they weren't as able to take as many students. There was a 1 1/2-2 year waiting list.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am doing this. I don't regret my decision at all. I could have done this a whole lot cheaper if I had stayed in FL, but I'm in one of the best nursing programs and that presents me with many opportunities.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am moving from California to Colorado to go to nursing school! Of course I will come back to Cali when I graduate to take the nclex. I was tired of waiting!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I actually moved from Seattle to Houston for the same exact reason. I have no regrets at all, and so far everything has worked out really well for me, although I miss being back home. It allowed me to get focused while doing my pre reqs and really helps with NS because I have far less distractions

Up Vote Up Vote ×

How did everyone adjust to being so far away from home? as for money, did you find a part time job? lastly, did you have trouble finding your way around the city to the clinical sites?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency/Cath Lab.

Like i said in another thread, I did it and wont ever look back on it. The dorms were a blast when I was doing pre-reqs but dont know how conducive the study environment would be for actual nursing school. I just adjusted by calling my family and friends more often and tr to make it home as often as possible. This town is a bit smaller so getting to clinicals is easy. Plus they all help out the Colorado kid who doesnt know this place at all. People were very helpful when they found out you arent from the town.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion