Watts, UNC or Durham Tech???

lochweems · Jan 30, 2006

If expense is only problem with Watts, they have a Reimbursement Program you should look into.

nursetim, NP · Jan 30, 2006

I'm a Watts grad and a duke fnp student with a degree in CJ. Watts is a good school and hard. When I went there it was a bargin. Right now, if I had it to do all over again. I'd do the absn at duke. A little more money than Watts but more bang for your buck.

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · Jan 31, 2006

Where do I go for nursing school??
I already have a BA in Poli-sci/Pre-Law, and I want to know what is the best school for me to go to. I have researched each and is still unable to decide.
Watts-good clinicals-no so long waiting list-very expensive. 3 pre-reqs
UNC-CH/Duke-excellent schools-not so long waiting list-very, very expensive 4 pre-reqs
Durham/Wake Tech-very long waiting list-good schools- clinicals @ Duke/Chapel Hill/Wake Med-inexpensive. 2 pre-reqs
If i plan to become a charge nurse, possibly MSN, I want to keep my options open.
But I do have a family to think of.
What to do??
help!!!:rotfl:

UNC and Duke do not do waiting lists per se - except right at the start of the year you could get waitlisted while they wait for "yes" or "no" responses from accepted students (like most colleges/universities have). Once the class is filled, and the semester has started, the waitlists disappear. UNC is MMUUUUUCCCCHHHH cheaper than Watts (remember, look only at the TUITION and FEES costs for UNC. If you live here you will not need the room and board)! Duke is close to double. The PDF I have for the 2006-2007 year says the costs for the entire program - 18 mos - are just over $40K (tuition, fees only). Isn't Watts something like $27K - nine grand a year or something?

Durham Tech's waiting list is ridiculous and there are no guarantees - they just go straight down the list. I know people who have been on that list for two years, which to me is insane. Also, you have to be a CNA before you can apply.

LadyL963 · Feb 1, 2011

Where do I go for nursing school??
I already have a BA in Poli-sci/Pre-Law, and I want to know what is the best school for me to go to. I have researched each and is still unable to decide.
Watts-good clinicals-no so long waiting list-very expensive. 3 pre-reqs
UNC-CH/Duke-excellent schools-not so long waiting list-very, very expensive 4 pre-reqs
Durham/Wake Tech-very long waiting list-good schools- clinicals @ Duke/Chapel Hill/Wake Med-inexpensive. 2 pre-reqs
If i plan to become a charge nurse, possibly MSN, I want to keep my options open.
But I do have a family to think of.
What to do??
help!!!:rotfl:

Funny, we are on the same boat!! I also have a BA in polo sci and am contemplating the same things as you. Also have a family, so lots to consider. My hubby is convinced Watts would be best bc of the payback program and the great commendations about the school. I am considering research or becoming a nurse practitioner at some point in my career, so I too want to have my options open. Another benefit is tgatcwhile working at Duke, they help pay for any further educational advancement. This is an incredible benefit. Ultimately I decided to go for Watts and start a bsn program within the first year perhaps online, so that I can continue to work and increase my time with family. PM me if you want to chat some more...

ICU11 · Feb 1, 2011

I have a BA, have kids, etc. I chose to go to UNC. It is much less time than doing an ADN or Diploma program, esp. if you want to get an MSN later. If you have a decent GPA try to go to UNC. I did the ABSN program, 4 semesters, and that is much cheaper than doing the 6 semester route. I definitely encourage doing the BSN.

LadyL963 · Feb 1, 2011

Wow, i didn't notice the date on your post... I'm sure you can give me great advice by now. Me too- 2 kids a hubby, puppy, and my mother!! My hands are full! Lol

My problem is that I'm still missing some pre-requisites to get into the program, so regardless, I'm being delayed in starting. How did you handle the pre-req's? The only positive with UNC for me would be that I would actually get my bachelor's.

ICU11 · Feb 2, 2011

Do the prereqs at a CC. Some you can take online. It is much faster to go the UNC route. I had to take ALL of the prereqs and did them in just two semesters at a CC. UNC is extremely competitive, so you need to get all A's in prereqs and write good essays. UNC is the #5 nursing school in the country. Really calculate the time it would take you to get into the ADN program and do the program. I am getting a BSN in 14 months at UNC, plus the 2 semesters of prereqs. The ADN would have taken much longer and then I would still have had to the BSN classes on top of that. I have three children under 5. It can be done! Go for it, no matter what school it is. I am about to graduate and can't believe it. It seemed like such a long time when I started but it has flown by. If you really want to be a nurse, pick the right program for you, and go for it.

LadyL963 · Feb 3, 2011

You really started to convince me, so I checked it out... Everything was really sounding perfect, until I saw the out of state tuition ABSN = $43-49,000 BSN=$65,000!!! that's just outrageous!! I can get my AA at Watts then get my BSN and still not have paid that much. Albeit, the timing would be shorter with UNC, but I'd go broke!! :eek: this stinks!!! It was all really making sense...

FutureBSN? · Nov 29, 2011

Oh wow...This thread is so old, but I ran across it during a google search. @LadyL963 and ICU11, can you PM me?

FutureBSN? · Dec 1, 2011

Do the prereqs at a CC. Some you can take online. It is much faster to go the UNC route. I had to take ALL of the prereqs and did them in just two semesters at a CC. UNC is extremely competitive, so you need to get all A's in prereqs and write good essays. UNC is the #5 nursing school in the country. Really calculate the time it would take you to get into the ADN program and do the program. I am getting a BSN in 14 months at UNC, plus the 2 semesters of prereqs. The ADN would have taken much longer and then I would still have had to the BSN classes on top of that. I have three children under 5. It can be done! Go for it, no matter what school it is. I am about to graduate and can't believe it. It seemed like such a long time when I started but it has flown by. If you really want to be a nurse, pick the right program for you, and go for it.

How did you pay your bills while in school? Did you have a good support system?

nursetim, NP · Dec 1, 2011

Loans, lots and lots of loans. :crying2: