Which school to choose?

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Hi everyone,

This is my first post here so please be gentle :mad:. I have found this site to be such a goldmine of information. Some background: I am 32, married and mom to a 13 month old son. I was a nursing student many years ago but because of the wait list for clinicals, I moved onto massage therapy. I absolutely LOVE what I do but unfortunately, I broke my shoulder a few months ago and have come to the realization that I just will not be able to physically work as I did before this injury. I contacted my old school and although my sciences have expired, I am still technically in the nursing program. I have been researching other options for my associate degree in nursing and wanted to get some opinions.

School A: Community college; my former college; I'm already in the nursing program; very low tuition; a bit of a commute; not so great clinical locations (I have had personal experiences as a patient in some and I'm very disappointed); day program only so we would have the added expense of daycare; very high NCLEX pass rate

School B: Private college; much higher tuition; right down the street; wonderful clinical locations (I'm hoping to work in any of these hospitals); evening program; 60 - 70% NCLEX pass rate, but according the school they are improving the areas necessary (program is only a few years old)

I am currently working on my prereqs at School A and would start clinicals next May. I have to apply to School B in the fall and clinicals would also begin next May, if accepted. Both programs from the start of clinicals are 18 months. My plan is to continue to get everything in order and apply to School B. Once I get that acceptance (if I do), I will make my decision but I'm just curious what everyone thinks. I would prefer School B just for the clinical locations but I'm not sure that's enough to outweigh all the other stuff. Having no experience with this, I'm hoping to get some input from others.

Does anyone have any thoughts or guidance?

Thanks!!

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Well you metioned your child and being a mother myself i would love a evening program so that I would not have to pay daycare and the community college may be cheaper but look at the cost for child care will it be the same price in the long run as the private college and you could be at home and another thought if you did not mind paying the child care if it is a good school that teaches well they could be on there way to learning and getting prepared for kindergarten while you are studying to be a nurse it just bepends on what matters to you be apply to both both have there pros

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Well you metioned your child and being a mother myself i would love a evening program so that I would not have to pay daycare and the community college may be cheaper but look at the cost for child care will it be the same price in the long run as the private college and you could be at home and another thought if you did not mind paying the child care if it is a good school that teaches well they could be on there way to learning and getting prepared for kindergarten while you are studying to be a nurse it just bepends on what matters to you be apply to both both have there pros

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I was in a similar situation, minus the childcare problem.

Weigh the situation pros/cons and do as the previous poster suggested and caculate the cost of childcare and tuition at college A against the cost of tuition at college B.

As far as the NCLEX pass rate....I too checked on that and my program also is too new to have one as of yet. Go to college B (the private one) and ask some of the students there about the program, instructors, clinicals and see what they say. I did the same and I didn't hear *many* complaints...just the usual like Ms. SoandSo is so hard, try to get Ms. BlahBlah. My school also gave me a tour of the nursing dept/labs/classrooms. Hope this helps!

Best of luck!

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A 60 to 70% NCLEX pass rate is very low. In many states, it would result in the school's nursing program being placed on probation by the state board of nursing. However, there are sometimes extentuating circumstances to take into consideration. For instance, does the private school program takes pains to retain borderline students? Many colleges do not, preferring to jetison poor performers in order to retain a high NCLEX pass rate.

I'd be very wary of a school with such a "modest" pass rate, but I think it would be worthwhile to invest some time and find out what's really going on.

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I was faced with a similar debate a couple months ago. I go to a community college now but out of curiosity looked into our local school of nursing. After going to the orientation, the classes and clincal experience sound a lot of the same. I decided to stay where I'm at instead of switching everything over and having to pay more for tuition. However, in your case, I would probably go with the private school.....it's closer for you and you like the clinical experience. But then you also have to look at the NCLEX pass rate.....but just because some people failed, doesn't mean the school is bad. I don't know, I'm not much help, lol. Good luck with whatever you decide!

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School A sounds like the best option. Is the tuition at School B greater than or less than the amount you would spend on daycare for your son?

I feel like, in this economy, saving money is the most important thing, especially if you have kids. Good luck on your decision! I'm sure it will be great no matter what you choose!

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School A would be about $7500 total for the entire program (not including books). School B is $24,000, including books. Thankfully, School A has a children's center on campus so it would be a discounted rate. Even paying childcare, I would be saving a bundle. I think I'm leaning that way at the moment.

Thanks everyone... I really appreciate the input!!!

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60%-70% pass rate..ouch, that is not good even if a new program

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