WHAT COLLEGE FOR NP

[Megan1323]

I'm a senior in high school and I want to be an NP. For colleges, I got accepted in CSULA's pre-nursing program and as an undeclared (second choice major to nursing) at UCI. I know that UCI would be a better school for me to attend for nursing, however the transfer program for me to reapply into nursing is HIGHLY competitive.

I talked to my college counselors today and they're gearing me towards reapplying for the MEPN at UCI and just attending there and getting a non-nursing Bachelors degree.

Should I still consider CSULA and their pre-nursing program?

I want to start gaining experience in the nursing field before I get my masters, so what should I do college and career wise to make that happen?

[verene, MSN]

If you want to do nursing it makes no sense to get a non-nursing bachelor's first. Just a waste of time and money. I'm not familiar with the programs at either school, but assuming being admitted as pre-nursing allows you into the nursing program as long as you keep you grades up that seems to be the way to go as you would be into a nursing program and on your way to your BSN. The only caveat would be if CSULA has a terrible reputation and no one hires their grads don't go, but in general as long as the program is solid and has a good local/regional reputation that is what matters for nursing and getting a job afterwards.