What looks good on a nursing school application?

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I'm taking my pre-nursing classes (so, pre-reqs) at a nearby community college. It's way cheaper, and I'm able to take some classes mostly online through the college. It gives me much more flexibility with my current job, and I need that because I will probably have to leave this job once I get to actual nursing school (due to the company's hours).

I have my sights set on a university in my state and am very excited! Although I have a question about applying. I have heard a lot of employers will judge your resume based on what college you got your degree from (ex: they would choose someone who graduated from a well-known state university over a cc graduate). Would a nursing program judge your application partially based on where you got your pre-reqs from (so in my case, a cc), in a similar manner as above? Or does that not affect your entrance at all?

I obviously have nothing against the college someone attends, so I hope no one takes it that way. I was just genuinely curious. Thank y'all in advance!

Edit: I doubt this makes any difference, but I'll be applying to a BSN program.

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Specializes in mental health / psychiatic nursing.

As long as the school is accredited it shouldn't matter where you got your pre-reqs done. There may be preference if a university has a transfer agreement with specific community colleges. I (and many of my cohort) took pre-reqs at community colleges (both in and out of state) all of us managed to get into a well-respected state program with those CC classes.

I think the only time where you took your pre-reqs matters is at extreme ends of the spectrum - taking classes from an unaccredited school known to be diploma mill, in which case they aren't acceptable, or if for some reason you took your pre-reqs at an Ivy league school - though even that wouldn't help much.

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Awesome, thank you! That eases my mind. :yeah:

I had honestly never thought about this, it just popped up the other day, and I couldn't shake the thought!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

PP is correct. The source of your pre-licensure education does not have a great deal of influence on hiring decisions because all new grads take the same NCLEX. In fact, this can be a real disappointment to new grads who invested heavily into a "prestige" school only to discover that it doesn't really give them much of an advantage. However, there is a very significant distinction between ADN & BSN grads when it comes to acute care (hospital) jobs since many hospitals are no longer hiring ADN grads. In my experience, RN-BSN programs don't have much impact (on hiring) either.

When it comes to grad school, the program DOES make a difference.

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PP is correct. The source of your pre-licensure education does not have a great deal of influence on hiring decisions because all new grads take the same NCLEX. In fact, this can be a real disappointment to new grads who invested heavily into a "prestige" school only to discover that it doesn't really give them much of an advantage. However, there is a very significant distinction between ADN & BSN grads when it comes to acute care (hospital) jobs since many hospitals are no longer hiring ADN grads. In my experience, RN-BSN programs don't have much impact (on hiring) either.

When it comes to grad school, the program DOES make a difference.

Thank you for your explanation, that helps give me a more clear view, also!

A lot of my coworkers have suggested getting my ADN or the RN to BSN bridge, but I disagreed because of exactly what you said! (I wanted to get my BSN anyway first, their opinion wouldn't change my mind in the end) Funny how people outside of the field don't understand...oh well. :laugh:

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Specializes in ICU-CCRN; Endoscopy.

I'm in the same boat as you! When I went to the info session for the Accelerated BSN program at the college, they recommended that we take our pre-reqs at a community college. They knew that we'd be competing against current students to take the pre-req courses at the actual college and that community colleges have flexible schedules since we work full-time. I was still nervous, but I heard over and over again that as long as the grades are good, there's nothing to worry about. I also verified that the courses would transfer properly and met with advisors at the college and community college. I start my pre-reqs next week! Good luck to you! :)

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I'm in the same boat as you! When I went to the info session for the accelerated BSN program at the college, they recommended that we take our pre-reqs at a community college. They knew that we'd be competing against current students to take the pre-req courses at the actual college and that community colleges have flexible schedules since we work full-time. I was still nervous, but I heard over and over again that as long as the grades are good, there's nothing to worry about. I also verified that the courses would transfer properly and met with advisors at the college and community college. I start my pre-reqs next week! Good luck to you! :)

I'm glad to hear from someone else going through the same thing! Phew, what a relief right? I'm so excited to begin this journey, too! Good luck to you, as well!

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Specializes in Critical Care.

The nursing programs could care less! As long as they accredited and you got an A in the class you are golden. I did my ADN and got all my prerequisites from a community college. I start my RN to BSN 2017 Fall semester. I will also take my organic chemistry class for CRNA school at a community college. No doubt in my mind, I will be accepted! Just get good grades.

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Specializes in Med-Tele; ED; ICU.

My experience has been that employers couldn't care less from where you earned your degree.

Likewise, I doubt that schools really care where you did your prereqs, only that you did and what kinds of grades you earned.

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If you have millions of dollars and want to go to an expensive school of Nursing, then by all means have at it.

In my experience no one cares where you went to school, they care that you passed your NCLEX.

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If you have millions of dollars and want to go to an expensive school of Nursing, then by all means have at it.

In my experience no one cares where you went to school, they care that you passed your NCLEX.

The school I'm looking at isn't expensive for in state students. In fact, most aren't.

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