When hiring, do hospitals look at where you got your BSN?

caliotter3 · May 4, 2011

A lot of employers care WHERE you got it around here. Some just care that you have it. A few only care that you have the RN.
Why? Because there are enough candidates to be choosy and many employers have noticed the difference between the most competitive established programs that have their clinicals at Level I trauma centers and the newer for-profit programs that have their clinicals at doctor's offices and day cares.

Or the same long term care facility for the entire program.

CranberryMuffin · May 4, 2011

Also just an FYI - West Coast University is a for-profit educational institution.

There's been a lot of attention lately in the news about for-profit colleges and universities in their financial mismanagement, as well as they claim that they defraud students.

There are other threads about for-profit nursing education - here is one of them: https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-student/profit-nursing-schools-479441.html

camarogirl512 · May 4, 2011

I was looking into different nursing program, because the wait list for cal state is too ridiculous. West Coast university has a nursing program that guarantees 39 months for a BSN, but the thing is that it is crazy expensive. So if I'm going to pay 130 thousand i don't want to be thought of less than. i would also like to add that it is approved by state board of nursing and CCNE.
Thank you so much for your help! :)

I am not sure about the nursing program you speak of, but I went to a Private nursing school as well, and now have a lot of student loan debt. When I starting nursing school it wasn't a question for me because certain hospitals in the area I lived were offering student loan forgiveness (i.e. $30k off your loans if you signed a 3 year contract). However, as stated previously the nursing job market isn't hot for new grads and a year after graduating I just got my first acute care position.

I was able to defer my payments because I wasn't working, but now that I am making decent money, I am still living paycheck to paycheck because I have my loans to pay off which could be a house payment for my husband and I.

All and all I am happy with my education, but really wish I would have just been more patient to get into a State school and have a lot less loan debt.

Good luck to you in whichever road you take!

lrobinson5 · May 4, 2011

I would find a community college and just get your ADN. I go to Riverside Community College and will probably spend around $4000 for my ADN. They even offer classes through CSU Fullerton on the Riverside campus to get your BSN. I would/could never recommend West Coast University to someone in good conscience. I would tell you to check out ANY other private university on this list before going to west coast:

California Board of Registered Nursing- Approved programs

http://www.rn.ca.gov/schools/rnprograms.shtml

Good luck with your education :)

CNA2PA · May 4, 2011

Wait its 130,000 for a BSN???? maybe I'm confused but for my PA program ill be 60k in debt and will have a masters....id look at how much you'd make the first year and how much your loans are....if its that much just go to med school....thats like a mortgage !! It would take YEARS to break even and with the economy who knows what the job market will be like in 2.5years! Juts do alot of research! Good Luck!!

lrobinson5 · May 4, 2011

Wait its 130,000 for a BSN???? maybe I'm confused but for my PA program ill be 60k in debt and will have a masters....id look at how much you'd make the first year and how much your loans are....if its that much just go to med school....thats like a mortgage !! It would take YEARS to break even and with the economy who knows what the job market will be like in 2.5years! Juts do alot of research! Good Luck!!

That's exactly why I could never recommend going there! I thought it was an exaggeration when I first heard it, but sadly no... I can't believe they've found so many people that were willing to pay for medical school only to get an RN license

joanna73, BSN, RN · May 4, 2011

I just can't believe it costs 130 000 for a BSN! I'm in Canada, but all of our schools cost around 45 to 50 thousand for the 4 year degree. It would take 20 to 25 years to pay that off. Not worth it.

Old.Timer · May 5, 2011

A lot of employers care WHERE you got it around here. Some just care that you have it. A few only care that you have the RN.
Why? Because there are enough candidates to be choosy and many employers have noticed the difference between the most competitive established programs that have their clinicals at Level I trauma centers and the newer for-profit programs that have their clinicals at doctor's offices and day cares.

I'm really surprised at the number of people responding that employers don't ask. Surely it is on the resume or job application. In my mind, review of education and experience by a prospective employer is just basic.

Bolded quote is the elephant in the living room that is not openly discussed.

OP, PLEASE PLEASE DO NOT spend $130,000. Plain and simple, it's a rip-off.

anurseatlast · May 5, 2011

I do not know anything about the program you are talking about but I agree that it is way too expensive for a BSN. Additionally, if it is true that the credits are not accepted at most other schools, RUN, do not walk, away.

There are many for-profit schools out there that are total rip-offs. One client I work with is planning to attend a technical college (does computer stuff mostly - what are they doing starting a nursing program??) to get a LPN. The cost? 45K. I checked out the website and it clearly states that its credits, "may not be accepted" at other institutions. This mom did not do well in high school (she is graduating this month). It is very likely that she will not complete the program.

Another for-profit here charges 30K for medical assisting. A woman I know has been working on her MA there for almost a year and will not be done for another 6 months.(She could almost have completed an associate's degree at the community college by then at much less cost.) She stated that she was told that getting the MA would be a first step towards her goal of being a nurse. WRONG! None of their credits transfer anywhere. Why? It is a lousy program.

Why do people fall for these schools (and I use the term loosely)?

they will take anyone regardless of academic ability or lack thereof
no waiting list
They often are very high-pressure. An advisor is assigned who contacts prospective students frequently, sometimes daily. They send you pretty brochures, follow up with a call to see if you have questions, offer another tour, ask you to stop in for an appointment, etc... Even if you tell them you chose another school, they will probably continue to call. (based on what several people have told me) Some people assume this contact means they really want you as a student. No, they want your MONEY.
Prospective students are mislead about the financial package ("It won't cost you anything" one of my clients was told).

When looking at a program, cost is a big consideration but not the only one. Ask what percentage of students are able to complete the program. How many pass NCLEX the first time? Where do they do clinical? Try to find out the school's reputation in the local medical community. (Many students find out that no one will hire them when they "graduate" from these scam schools).

It is tempting to go wherever you can get in quickly but take time to do research so you do not regret it later. You do not want to just pass NCLEX - you want to be a good nurse. Some day someone's life could depend on your knowlege. Keep working towards your goal but don't take shortcuts.