U Penn, U of Roch, Sam. Merritt - where to?

opalmRN · Jan 20, 2003

Can we assume you are an RN now?

If so, how many patients have inquired as to where you received your education? Did that play a factor in securing the postion where you are currently employed? What will you gain from the "big name school" that you wouldn't learn in the other school and would you end up with big $$ in the "big job" to compensate for all you paid out to the "big name school?"

I guess the bottom line is where do you feel you will get the best education cause in the end, it really doesn't matter where you went to school or what letters are behind your name for that matter if you can't perform the duties you were hired to do.

Lots of things to consider, weigh it all out carefully then make the decision.

overreacher · Jan 20, 2003

Thank you for your response. Actually, I'm not a nurse yet. The programs I am accepted to are accelerated BSN/MSN and generic MSN programs for students with bachelors in other fields. I have worked, and am currently working, in health care, but not as an RN. I was a paramedic in the Air Force and now I work as a personal attendant for a young man with spinal muscular atrophy. While I initially planned to become a physician assistant, then a doctor of osteopathy, I realized that the nursing model with its more holistic approach to health complimented my own philosphy far more than the medical model. It isn't the "Big Name" of a school that is important to me (I didn't realize U Penn was Ivy League until someone told me long after I'd applied - I just knew they had a good program) but I've had discussions with people regarding the future and one point was made that gave me reason to reassess the importance of a well known institution. If I were working on a project, say a people's clinic or some other kind of outreach program and I needed funding, where would I be more likely to get it? Which school would offer the resources and contacts to make something happen? Perhaps I'm a bit naive at this point regarding the protocols of such things, but it did make me wonder. Sorry this is so long, but if you've made it this far and have an opinion, I'd love to hear. Thanks...

Ethan:roll

TheBrainMusher · Jan 20, 2003

Look at the direction you want to go and the program's affliations. For example, Upenn, known for peds ... I'm unfamilar with the other programs as I was just looking in the philly area. Also, price, I know I couldn't afford Upenn's progam, isn't it like $25K-30K per year? Also, looking back on your post ....sometimes saying you went to penn can help you, but in this shortage, i would think its the contacts you make and where you work that would matter. But since I'm not there, only one can assume ... Penn does have an excellent program though ...