Why did you choose that nursing program (current or past)?

[NurseBlaq]

And would you choose differently if you had to do it again? It can be any, and all, of the programs from CNA to DNP/PHD. Would you choose it again, why/why not?

There are many programs people choose for different reasons and threads on several of the same ones. Meanwhile, there are tons of programs that remain in the background and unanswered threads of people seeking answers.

I've been wondering why people don't like certain programs or why they chose others. I've witnessed people I know drive hours away for nursing programs when they live around the corner from equivalent programs simply because they didn't like one of the professors. I would have sucked it up and kept it moving to save time and gas but that's just me.

[NurseBlaq]

1 minute ago, PeakRN said:

Not a reply but I thought it would be relevant.

My program only had acute care clinicals other than psych and community health. I knew that I wanted to work in the ED out of school, and the university program set me up better for that.

The ASN program at the community college had a lot more home health, nursing home, and LTAC rotations.

I can't say that one program was better overall, but the university option was better for where I wanted to be after graduation. Had I been accepted to the ASN program and not the BSN I still think I would have received a good education, but it would have been more difficult for me to get an ED job right away.

I guess clinical rotations depend on the area. I did clinicals in an area with major health systems and most of my class were at different level 1 centers around the area. I think we did LTC/nursing homes the very first semester where you're mainly learning the basics. Our clinicals were reflective of what we were learning in class, like psych facilities for psych, OB/GYN units at hospitals for that, and so forth and so on. For critical care we did cardiac, oncology, etc. They let us choose different units based on our interests after graduation. At the time the school had a great reputation so none of us had problems getting jobs afterwards. We also had 100% pass rate on NCLEX. But then again, we had professors who pushed us to our limits.

Nevertheless, glad you were able to get into the ED. It was good to choose a program that gave you the best clinical experience for your future goals. More schools should do that.

[Golden_RN, MSN]

I was young and applied to every Associates program in my area. I was lucky that the one that accepted me happened to be where I took my pre-reqs and my CNA class. I had no interest in BSN at that time because I wanted to be done quickly.

Back then we did not have easy access to info like NCLEX pass rates, so that info wasn't part of the equation. Schools were so impacted that everyone just applied everywhere and felt lucky to get accepted anywhere.

When I returned for BSN & MSN, I chose a state school to get lower tuition. I really only wanted to go to a public school. The marketing people at the private schools I looked into were so pushy! The state school I chose had clinicals for both BSN/MSN and I really liked that. Some classes were online, some were in person, and of course clinicals.

The BSN program I did included a public health certification. That was another selling point for me.

[caliotter3]

17 hours ago, NurseBlaq said:

After graduating and working alongside nurses who graduated from the ASN programs do you feel like your hands on education was on par with theirs?

I ask because I went the ASN route and worked my way up and during our first semester of clinicals we were doing more than the local BSN program students in their last semester of clinicals. We all sat down at lunch one day during clinicals and exchanged info about our programs and found they were being trained to be supervisors vs floor nurses. Well they had a rude awakening when we graduated and they were on the floor working right along with us.

I already knew from my father that one of the ASN programs had the reputation of being the best program in the state. However, I also knew that they weeded out more than 50% of each class in a brutal manner. I wanted to maximize my chance for success as well as get the frign' career necessary BSN out of the way out of the gate, so that is why I went with the BSN. I had no idea how literally poor the BSN program was until I was knee deep in mediocrity. As I have stated many times over, all they cared about was APA formatted busywork papers. At an early point I realized that all I was managing to do was to get my ticket punched, so that is how I stomached a program that taught me very, very, little indeed. For example: we were not taught how to chart, we were not taught how to use a MAR. Fundamentals that I had to learn at my LVN jobs in LTC and home health. I learned most of my nursing skills from coworkers on the job. But I was aware that I was not getting my money's worth.

[Salisburysteak, BSN, RN]

I did a Bridge program at my local community college. I was very happy with the outcome. I was able to pay for it out of pocket. The ADN program is the largest in my state, and the NCLEX pass rates are in the 90s. The BSN programs here are okay, just depends on where you go. The BSN students I spoke with wished they had more hands on clinical experience. They observed more than actually did. They would observe putting in a foley not actually doing it, etc.

In my area a BSN is not needed to work in the hospitals here either. I will be looking at RN-BSN programs soon though just to have my BSN.

[alexia8]

I applied to the LVN program at my local community college vs. the ADN program because the ADN had pre reqs and looked at your grades whereas the LVN program did not and only looked at TEAS score.

Now, I'm in a new city but recently got accepted into a LVN to RN program and the community college. I've heard great things about this certain program so excited about that, but if I could go back I think I would've tried to just go straight to ADN. I only say that because I feel like it took me a little longer to get back to school but everyone has their own path! The LVN program I went to was great so I definitely am glad I atleast got into good programs! I chose both programs purely because they were good and located close to where I lived.

Like other people have said, as long as it prepares me adequately for the NCLEX I'll be happy. I don't have a ton of skills as a LVN because my only experience is in triage and in clinic nursing so I'm hoping I won't feel too lost in this new program.

[NurseBlaq]

1 hour ago, Golden_RN said:

When I returned for BSN & MSN, I chose a state school to get lower tuition. I really only wanted to go to a public school. The marketing people at the private schools I looked into were so pushy! The state school I chose had clinicals for both BSN/MSN and I really liked that. Some classes were online, some were in person, and of course clinicals.

That's a big turnoff for me. I don't like pushy. Just tell me why your program is good and how it would benefit me not try to get me to commit to going into debt or spending my money. Makes me take a second look and investigate further.

[NurseBlaq]

1 hour ago, caliotter3 said:

I wanted to maximize my chance for success as well as get the frign' career necessary BSN out of the way out of the gate, so that is why I went with the BSN. I had no idea how literally poor the BSN program was until I was knee deep in mediocrity. As I have stated many times over, all they cared about was APA formatted busywork papers.

You summarized my entire BSN program. Some folks slept through the entire class but turn in a correctly formatted APA paper and they were good. SMH

[NurseBlaq]

37 minutes ago, Salisburysteak said:

I will be looking at RN-BSN programs soon though just to have my BSN.

35 minutes ago, alexia8 said:

Now, I'm in a new city but recently got accepted into a LVN to RN program and the community college.

Good luck to y'all! Hope you two do well. You got this!

[caliotter3]

1 hour ago, NurseBlaq said:

You summarized my entire BSN program. Some folks slept through the entire class but turn in a correctly formatted APA paper and they were good. SMH

Funny you should mention sleeping in class and getting away with it. I drove an hour and a half (when I was not speeding out of grasp of the CHP) after working a full night shift and would preferably sit in the back of the classroom. Dozing was not a stranger to me. But one time I was awakened by the roar of the class leaving. I had gone into full sleep mode for the entire class and was almost drooling, all within eyesight of the instructor.

[NurseBlaq]

2 hours ago, caliotter3 said:

Funny you should mention sleeping in class and getting away with it. I drove an hour and a half (when I was not speeding out of grasp of the CHP) after working a full night shift and would preferably sit in the back of the classroom. Dozing was not a stranger to me. But one time I was awakened by the roar of the class leaving. I had gone into full sleep mode for the entire class and was almost drooling, all within eyesight of the instructor.

I'm done! ?

[BSNbound21, BSN, RN]

I applied to my program b/c it's a state university (i.e. inexpensive) that is 15 minutes from my house. I plan to continue my education b/c I eventually want to be a provider, and every job alert I've received says "BSN preferred," so I only considered an ADN program as a backup. Both take a total of three years anyways, so I feel the ADN path would have been a longer one for me.

[NurseBlaq]

4 hours ago, BSNbound21 said:

I applied to my program b/c it's a state university (i.e. inexpensive) that is 15 minutes from my house. I plan to continue my education b/c I eventually want to be a provider, and every job alert I've received says "BSN preferred," so I only considered an ADN program as a backup. Both take a total of three years anyways, so I feel the ADN path would have been a longer one for me.

Good luck!