University or Community College?

U.S.A. Texas

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I am trying to decide if it is worth the money to go for an Associates Degree in Nursing at a University or will I receive almost the same training and job opportunities from being educated at a Community College? Of course a University is more expensive and I would have to probably survive on financial aid. I do not have any former college credits so I would start out by taking the pre-requisites at the community college anyway. The university that offers the ADN is Houston Baptist University. The community college is Houston Community College. Do you think it is worth the financial difference for my ADN? I also found out HCC is not accredited by the NLNAC and I guess that is the most important reason I was thinking of trying to go to the university. I will eventually after a few years or working as an RN attempt to go to school for a BSN, so I was also thinking an ADN from a university (opposed to just a community college) will be an added bonus when I went back for a BSN.

Please advise when you have time. Thank you for your help in advance. :)

Oh and there are other North Harris colleges closer than far North too, I was just saying that is why I chose that one.

Yeah, I was looking at the North Harris main location I guess because I think that is better for me than the Tomball location. :)

Do you happen to know what their NCLEX pass rate is?

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No I don't know that, darn. I know what you mean about the Algebra, I have been out of school much longer than you. It was like starting over for me. But it's coming around. I am positive I will have to take an Algebra class though. But I know I need it. And I wish you intelligence for your test too!!

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No I don't know that, darn. I know what you mean about the Algebra, I have been out of school much longer than you. It was like starting over for me. But it's coming around. I am positive I will have to take an Algebra class though. But I know I need it. And I wish you intelligence for your test too!!

I called North Harris and spoke with the nursing counselor, Sara Laidlaw. She said the NCLEX pass rate is 95.6%.

I know I will have to take an Algebra class also. :)

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Specializes in CCU.

Sounds like you've pretty much decided on North Harris, good for you. You sound very informed, I mean asking about NCLEX pass rates is not something that the average student does, with those kind of instincts I bet you'll make a great nurse. If your are still trying to decide I have heard wonderful things about San Jacinto College. All the nurses I have met from there are excellent.

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That is great you found that out Honeybee! Do you know when you'll be taking the ASSET test yet? I agree with GracefulRN, you will make a great nurse!

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Sounds like you've pretty much decided on North Harris, good for you. You sound very informed, I mean asking about NCLEX pass rates is not something that the average student does, with those kind of instincts I bet you'll make a great nurse. If your are still trying to decide I have heard wonderful things about San Jacinto College. All the nurses I have met from there are excellent.

Thanks for the information Graceful!

I have not completely decided yet, lol....but I hope to make a decision within the next couple of months. San Jacinto is still in the race, their pass rate is in the 90's but they couldn't give me the exact percentage when I called. The same thing was told to me by Alvin Community College.

Again, if money was not a factor, I would probably try my best to go to Houston Baptist University. They have a 100% pass rate....:)

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Hey there....forget the schools that are not accredited...period end....get all pre-req's done before you get into the actual Nursing classes....you will be up to your eyeballs and past with studying, with just the Nursing classes....getting all the sciences done before will only help you understand nursing better.....MATH....forget worrying...take the most elementary class you can take to graduate at the particular school....especially for an ADN program...my reasoning for this is....you will be taking coursework in nursing for medication administration math, and that will be the main math you will be using as a nurse. Then if you want to go on for a BSN (and if you are younger than me...50, you should really think about it) ...take a stats course that will be accepted at the college/university you are transferring to.....you can take the by itself ....maybe at a local community college, before you actually get into that BSN program...

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Hey there....forget the schools that are not accredited...period end....get all pre-req's done before you get into the actual Nursing classes....you will be up to your eyeballs and past with studying, with just the Nursing classes....getting all the sciences done before will only help you understand nursing better.....MATH....forget worrying...take the most elementary class you can take to graduate at the particular school....especially for an ADN program...my reasoning for this is....you will be taking coursework in nursing for medication administration math, and that will be the main math you will be using as a nurse. Then if you want to go on for a BSN (and if you are younger than me...50, you should really think about it) ...take a stats course that will be accepted at the college/university you are transferring to.....you can take the by itself ....maybe at a local community college, before you actually get into that BSN program...

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Hey there....forget the schools that are not accredited...period end....get all pre-req's done before you get into the actual Nursing classes....you will be up to your eyeballs and past with studying, with just the Nursing classes....getting all the sciences done before will only help you understand nursing better.....MATH....forget worrying...take the most elementary class you can take to graduate at the particular school....especially for an ADN program...my reasoning for this is....you will be taking coursework in nursing for medication administration math, and that will be the main math you will be using as a nurse. Then if you want to go on for a BSN (and if you are younger than me...50, you should really think about it) ...take a stats course that will be accepted at the college/university you are transferring to.....you can take the by itself ....maybe at a local community college, before you actually get into that BSN program...

Thanks for the information LLG! :)

I am going to concentrate on the pre-req's this year and some of next year. Then, hopefully I will be admitted to the school of my choice. I am not sure which one that is yet but I will decide soon hopefully. Sound like good advice about the math classes. I hope to go for the BSN shortly after I receive my ADN. I will have to just see what else is going on in 2 years to determine the time lapse between ADN and BSN. Since I am getting married soon I just might have a bun in the oven or something. LOL

I will make sure to verify my ADN courses will transfer when it is time for me to get my BSN.

Thank you again for the helpful information.

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