What "weight" did your graduate school carry in the job...

VivaRN · Dec 1, 2010

I would think about where you want to live and the connections of the school. Different schools are known in different parts of the country. My BSN program was well-regarded in my home state (and seen as a plus), but when I moved no one had heard of it.

My grad school is well known in my area and gave me the "in" to get the job I have. Not because it is so prestigious, but because the person who hired me, as well as most of my co-workers, are alums. I would explore the school on the basis of their connections - with the community, with places you want to work, more than (perceived) prestige or cost.

For the record, I've heard of Frontier and consider it widely known, especially for midwifery.

ktliz · Dec 1, 2010

I would also consider Frontier a fairly widely-known school. I'd even go as far as to say it sets the standard for online-only schools.

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Dec 1, 2010

Totally agree with Viva. I attended a state university for my MSN that many people outside of the state wouldn't know anything about. However, the university is well regarded in the state especially in the immediate geographical area where I lived because many local physicians trained in their med school and residency programs and many nurses including professors from other universities in the state are alumni. Needless to say, I had no problems getting credibility as far as my degree during my local job hunts after graduation. I have moved out of state in an area where very few people would likely recognize my school but my years of experience as an NP has greatly helped me get the job.

ARNPCD · Dec 2, 2010

I totally echo the sentiments of the few posts above. It all depends on your geographical area. If your school is well known where you want to get a job, it should be no problem, irregardless of the presumed prestige of it. However, if you go out of your geographical area, it differs how big of a problem it is. For me, my school is somewhat well known, so it was a bonus for me getting a job. Did it make it easier, yes, I think it helped get me several interviews. Experience I believe plays a bigger factor, but my school helped make me more competitive.

Trauma Columnist · Dec 2, 2010

I graduated from my post-MSN programs at a local school, affiliated with the large level one trauma center.

However, it was my years of experience as a nurse that got me my first job.

allnurses Guide · Dec 2, 2010

I went to a "big name" school with a great reputation for nursing, and I definitely think it helped me be more competitive in my geographic area. I don't know if it would have carried the same clout elsewhere in the country. I consider Frontier to be a well-regarded school, and know several people who went through their CNM program and loved it.

Spacklehead, MSN, NP · Dec 2, 2010

Honestly, the two different facilites which made me job offers were more interested and impressed with my previous years of ED nursing experience than where I went to school. I know that it was my previous work experience that landed me both positions.

The only way I could see having a "big-name school" help you land a position is in one specific instance - if you are a brand new NP grad without any previous nursing experience who is going up against other candidates who are brand new NP grads also without previous nursing experience. Other than that type of case, I firmly believe that the NP candidate with the strongest NP/nursing experience will always gain the position over someone without as much experience, but went to one of the big-name schools - if all other aspects of the candidates are on an equl playing field.

applesRN · May 28, 2011

Great post! I was about to post almost exactly the same question. :lol2:I, too, am debating between Frontier (the name is changing soon to Frontier Nursing University) and a big name- specifically Duke.After debating for a while, I had felt so content that Frontier was right that I delayed applying to Duke. Then a few weeks ago I met a newly hired FNP from the Midwest. I told her I had applied to Frontier (still waiting- I won't know until September!!), and she said "What is that"? She strongly encouraged Duke over the school she'd never heard of. I think Frontier is more widely known for their midwifery program than FNP/WHNP. My undergrad school- Liberty U. is planning on beginning a NP program in Fall 2012. I don't want to wait that long to start.

I feel I would connect with the heart :redpinkhe of Frontier better than the prestige of Duke. The tuition is about $27000 total for Frontier, and twice as much for Duke's program. However, I have seen the huge rush of nurses into FNP programs like Walmart on Black Friday, and I wonder if the market will be saturated by the time I'm done with school. IF that happens, will a big name be worth it? :uhoh3:

linearthinker, DNP, RN · May 28, 2011

I gotta tell ya, I went to a nationally known "big name" school, and it opens doors. Patients respect it, colleagues are impressed, etc. However, in the end, if I didn't know what I was doing, they would just say to each other, "how did that idiot ever graduate from there?" And if I'd gone to a small school they weren't familiar with they might say, she went where? Oh, well, she sure knows her stuff! Or whatever. So I don't know how much it really matters, but if I had it to do all over again, I'd go to the same school. I loved it. I kind of want to start all over again, 'cause school was way more fun that actually working for a living!

Trauma Columnist · May 28, 2011

Amen linearthinker!

CRF250Xpert · May 29, 2011

I went to a place with a name, but I never even really thought about it making a diffference. I have to admit, when anyone tells me they graduated from the University of Pheonix in any capacity, undergrad or grad school, - I chuckle.