Which nursing program should I pick?

StayHumble11 · Mar 18, 2013

Wow congrats! Those all sound like great schools. I think you should pick the one that is closest to where you live.

**emergenceRN17, ASN, BSN, RN** · Mar 18, 2013

Northeastern! It is a great school and program!!! If I had the money, I would go there!!! Good luck!!!

llg, PhD, RN · Mar 18, 2013

I would start by eliminating any that don't admit your directly into the nursing program as a freshman. You don't want to move to a campus, make friends, etc. ... and then have to apply to the nursing program after a year or two. That raises the possibility that you won't get accepted at that stage and have to go somewhere else. So if you can, go to a school that admits you to the nursing program from the beginning.

From your list, it looks like that would eliminate 2 schools from consideration. (Not that they aren't bad schools, but you don't want to take the risk described above if you don't have to.)

Given the remaining 3 schools ... and the fact that they are all reputable ... I would seriously consider the geographic location and culture of the schools. For example, West Lafayette, Indiana is a lot different than downtown Chicago. What are the neighborhoods like for each of these schools and the hospitals where you would be doing clinicals? Will you feel comfortable (and safe) living and working in those neighborhoods? What are the characteristics of the student body? Will you "fit in" socially?

As someone who grew up in a small town, I would probably not choose a school in the center of a major city located in a "rough" neighborhood. I don't think I would be comfortable there. But then again, if you grew up in such a downtown area ... you might not be comfortable in a more suburban or rural area. Where does the culture "feel right" for you?

BunnyBunny · Mar 18, 2013

1) Dont choose pre-nursing...to risky.

2) Getting a RN job as a new grad is challenging...so choose a location that has a need for nursing that will take you as a New Grad

zoe92 · Mar 18, 2013

Agree with everyone who said don't go for pre nursing. But I would say Purdue... I love Indiana and think its a great state.

Stephalump · Mar 18, 2013

Skip Baylor. It's my alma mater and I love it, but the cost is outrageous and there's absolutely no guarantee you'll get into the nursing program.

Also, the nursing school is in Dallas, not Waco. So you'd have to move to another city.

I'd pick Case-Western!

maddiem · Mar 19, 2013

Have you been accepted to these school's actual nursing programs or have you not completed any of your perquisite courses and you're just applying to the school's themselves in general? Just wondering because you put pre-nursing by some of them...its not a huge deal where you go for your prerequisite courses as long as you get good grades and do well on your entrance exam. Its actually a better idea to do your prerequisites at a community college because you will save TONS of money. Also, if you just focus on getting into one school's program, it might not happen. If you go to CC you can apply to many schools because the classes will transfer better to other schools. I had a friend who went away to school, did fairly well in her classes, and didn't get into the nursing program. When she applied to other programs some of the classes didn't transfer or they had different requirements. Just be careful if you choose to put all your eggs in one basket!

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Mar 25, 2013

Great clinical experiences in Boston, and if Northeastern still has their terrific co-op program you'll have a leg up in getting work after graduation. Plus Boston is an awesome place to live as a college student.

BlueChocolateCat · Mar 25, 2013

I would stay away from Case. I go to Cleveland State University in Cleveland, Ohio.

Its just down the road, 75% less expensive.

Additionally, I have clinicals in the same hospitals that Case students do.

Want to know what the general consensus is? Apparently, CSU nursing students do well, but Case nursing students don't know "their ass from their elbow".

Lb321 · Mar 25, 2013

If you got into Northeastern you should go there. I live in MA and know it's a good school. It's probably a tough program, but I have the feeling it would look great on your résumé when you try to get a job as a nurse.