University of San Francisco vs. San Diego State

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I have been recently accepted into both USF (San Francisco) and SDSU's nursing programs. I am hoping that I can get some advice on which to choose. I currently attend SDSU and I would graduate in 5 semesters whereas USF it would take 7 semesters and cost a whole lot more. If anyone has input on finding a job once you are graduated from either of these schools would help greatly. I have a week to decide.

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

Where do you want to work?

If it were up to me, the shorter duration and lower cost would definitely make me choose SDSU. Plus, the job market there is slightly better than the SF Bay Area. You'd be working sooner, too. USF is a good school, but I would choose a CSU over a private school any day, if only for the expense. I have classmates in the SF Bay Area interviewing down there because the job prospects are better.

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Yeah. SDSU is definitely what I'm leaning towards because of those two things. I was just wondering if having a degree from USF would look better than SDSU once I start the job hunt. Also I'm from the Bay Area so being closer to home would be nice but only if it would greatly increase my chances of getting a job since the tuition is so high at USF.

Thanks for your help!

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.
Yeah. SDSU is definitely what I'm leaning towards because of those two things. I was just wondering if having a degree from USF would look better than SDSU once I start the job hunt. Also I'm from the Bay Area so being closer to home would be nice but only if it would greatly increase my chances of getting a job since the tuition is so high at USF.

Thanks for your help!

Nursing isn't like law or business where they really look at your alma mater (unless you go to some REALLY crappy school). The connections you make during clinicals and utilizing people you know are your best bets for finding that first job. The job I have waiting for me upon graduation was extended by a manager who saw me in clinicals and liked how I did. Think of clinicals as a learning experience AND a job interview!! Introduce yourself to managers, and tell the nurses who give you good feedback to mention you to their managers. This is what worked for me! :)

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Stick with SDSU. Affordable, great reputation (I think more highly of SDSU) and you're already there, and you graduate sooner. You're also in a slightly better market when you graduate. New grad programs are more abundant down here and among the more valued compared the other local programs.

There's a very good chance attending USF you will graduate with huge debt and fewer job opportunities. Most of buddies at home are taking what they can get at snfs and what now or out of state.

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