Which school would you choose?

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Hey everyone, I'm in a bit of a pickle and I need your opinions! I have been accepted to a bsn program that starts this fall. It's about 15 minutes from my house. I did all of my prereqs there and am extremely happy with the school and my experience thus far. The only downside is it's still going to take me 3 years to finish! I've already completed my prereqs but how their classes go it's pretty much three years and there's nothing you can do about it.

My pickle is there is a private school about 40 minutes away from me. It's also a bsn program and is about 5k-7k more expensive. The upside is I'd be done with my bsn in 2 years rather than 3. This is also a hospital affiliated school so the chance's of getting hired right after graduation is pretty significant I've heard.

I guess I'm just going to apply to the private school and see if I get accepted and go from there. I'm just so ready to be done at this point and even if it's more expensive and a much longer drive, 2 years sounds soooo much better to me than 3.

What would you do, if you were in my shoes? I know I'm very lucky to have already been accepted into one program.

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Specializes in Hospitalist Medicine.

Make a list of pros & cons for each school.

Do you even know if you would be accepted at the other school? A bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush! What if you decline your current school and don't get in at the other one? Then you'd still have a wait.

It's up to you what you feel would work best. Don't let time alone dictate your future. I know 2 years sounds better, but perhaps you might get more clinical hours in the 3 year program? Something to consider.

Also, will you have to take out student loans at the more expensive, private institution? If you're going to incur a lot of debt, it would be better to go with the 3 year program and not accumulate so much debt, rather than finishing quicker, but with much more interest to pay!

Compare the hospitals where you'll do your clinicals for each program. Look at their current job openings. Do they even hire new grads? Do they have internship programs for student nurses? (usually after your med-surg course)

Good luck with your decision and keep us posted on what you decide to do :D

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The extra year you spend at school versus being done and earning a salary is far larger than only a 5k to 7k difference. Think of it that way.

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