Why NOT private??

MssNurse2b · Feb 17, 2014

My biggest reason, though? Grad school. I will do whatever it takes, sleepless nights, goat sacrifices, 2am study sessions at Denny's where the waitresses have me on a coffee IV, anything to shore up my application. I go to the best school I can, regardless of wait or distance, because instant gratification will not get in my way. And when I finish my BSN, I'll be debt free. I refuse to go into debt for an undergrad that (with enough effort and dedication) can be obtained for free.
If grad school isn't your goal, then my advice would be to do whatever is most convenient so long as you have carefully studied your financials. Loans aren't pretend money, and 11,500 is not going to be fun to sign away in the future regardless of how simple it is to attain.

You have a good point here. I do want to go to grad school in the future and it might add more debt for me, unless the employer will pay for it (which is very common nowadays). I do realize that 11,500$ is a big chunk of money. I just read a post by another student from the public school I am considering where she said that they sometimes had 90 students in their classes and clinical instructors didn't even know their names. I am so used to small faculty to student ratio in my CC that the possibility of being in the classroom with hundred other students doesn't look too appealing... She also said that the school didn't prepare students for hospital working environment since their clinicals were heavily focused on community care (which is not what I want to do)

MssNurse2b · Feb 17, 2014

I am currently at a CC for prerequisites and will be transferring to private, non-profit college for nursing school. My reasoning behind this was because it is cheaper to take the prerequisites at a CC and then transfer over. I would've applied to a public state school but the one in my area focuses more on community care which is something I am not interested in.

Hi there! This is exactly what I have in mind. Our public school is mostly about community care, which is not what I was planning on doing.

eCCU · Feb 17, 2014

ok, thank you guys for the comments. I was talking about private non-profit school. I see that the main reason for many people is the cost of attendance. Let me crunch some numbers for you: public school I am considering is around 10,000$/year minus Pell grant; private non-profit school is 25,000$ minus 11,500 in scholarships minus Pell grant minus possible small scholarships. In that case, the difference for me will be 3,500$/year (x 3 years=11,500$) at most. School is accredited (CCNE) and approved (BON). My dilemma: the private school will offer BSN starting this Fall, so if I go there, I will be in the first batch of graduates. Could it possibly be a negative thing? Although that school has been offering RN-BSN, ADN and MSN for many years. On the other hand, public school has a wait list and around 3 students per spot. I have a 4.0 gpa, so my chances with public school are good, but I feel like private school will give me a better education. I am in the CC right now and I love small class sizes and possibility of personal interaction with my professors. Because many student on this forum were focusing more on public schools, I wanted to hear your reasons. If it is because of the financial side of it, then I completely understand. This will be my first degree and I am qualified for grants and scholarships, but if it was my 2nd or 3rd degree and I would have to pay the whole amount out of pocket, I would definitely go to public school only because of the cost.
Just for a minute, lets pretend you are in my situation and have a choice between private or public school. What would you choose considering that the difference in tuition is 3,500$/year or less and WHY would you make that choice?
I just need someone to help me look at the situation from a different perspective; I don't have friends/family in the medical field and want to make an informed decision. Thanks everyone))

Before you get yourself in a bind make sure this scholarship is guaranteed all years in the Nursing program. Otherwise you will be stuck with a huge loan! I once had a coworker that attended a very prestigious private university nursing program, she kept telling me how she regretted going there because of the debt. This was years later married and family.

MssNurse2b · Feb 17, 2014

What's the NCLEX pass rate for their ADN program? One thing about it being a new pre-licensure BSN program is that there will be some unknowns. However, it's basically likely to be a mash up of their ADN program and their RN-BSN program.
As someone whose GPA wasn't as competitive as most, I did consider that university, but I'm glad I didn't attend. I see some of their students in clinicals, and a lot of them aren't happy with their program, but they're sticking it out for the BSN.
The public university has 3 students per spot? Ha! Ours here in CA, every single public university has at least 10 applicants per spot. I did a lot of research here when I applied, and cast a wide net (10 schools), and got into 2 programs.
You might talk to people in the private university you're considering and see what they think of the programs (since the one you want isn't available yet, you'll have to look at people in other programs).

Thanx for your post. The passing rate for their ADN program is 86% (which is far from perfect, I realize that). However, the passing rate in the public school is 85% (BSN program). The only schools in my area that have greater passing rates are community colleges that offer ADN only, which is not even a choice for me. The other 2 schools that have a great passing rate (close to 100%) have only a few students in their programs, much more pre-reqs for me to take and higher tuition/less scholarship money (they are private schools as well).

I did talk to some students from the private school (in their ADN program) and they were pretty happy with their choice. The also loved the instructors they had. Plus they told me that college offers even more smaller scholarships for students that might help to reduce the amount of debt.

Yes, our public school have about 3 people/per spot. It is not a "popular" state. I imagine that in CA, NY, PA and other states the competition is much higher.

MssNurse2b · Feb 17, 2014

I am on the more conservative on the money tip so my views may be a little far..... What if you cant find a job for 6 or more after the repayment is supposed to start. I where i live BSN are having HUGE problems finding jobs. What will you do then? What happens if you dont get enough in pell grants to keep your 3500 fig? You know the amount of aid you get changes yearly.

Well, first of all, I am sure that if I work hard enough, I will be able to find a job, especially when it comes to health care. I do have a great support system, my husband stands behind me 100% and will help me as much as he can. I am not the kind of person who cries and gets depressed over the job situation. I was always able to find a job, even if it was not related to health care. I am sure that my bills (including loans) will be paid. I seriously don't understand why so many people stressing about how hard it is to find a job in this economy. Of course, if all they want to do is sit and wait for a perfect opportunity co come, it can get depressing. Sometimes we all can step out of our comfort zone and do the job we might not want to do in order to make ends meet. As an example, I was working as an at home caregiver and got 140$/per day. Yes, it was hard and I had to be away from my family for days, gave up social life and life in general, but that was a right thing to do.

Muirite, this post wasn't addressed to you personally, I just wanted to state the fact that I am not afraid of loaned money. "Where is a will, there is a way"

MssNurse2b · Feb 17, 2014

Some of these for-profit schools charge $40,000 for LPN. LPN is a 2-3 semster program at community colleges that generally costs less than $3000.
An ADN at a community college shouldn't cost more than 5-6k.. at one of those for-profits, it can cost upwards of $60,000. I'm sorry, but the difference is staggering. Many of the for-profit schools have no interest in graduating you, just getting all the federal loan and grant money as possible. Do your homework.

1. I am doing my homework; including the fact that I am asking for advice here

2. I am not interested in LPN/ADN programs and I know they are much cheaper at CC

3. The private school I am interested in is non-profit and charges 13,500$/per year (after scholarship)

MssNurse2b · Feb 17, 2014

I attend a nonprofit well known and respected catholic university and I love it. Hospitals in the area hire many of our graduates. Yes I pay more tuition but I also get more one on one time with my instructors. Our classes are smaller and their aim is not to "weed out the weak" instead guide them to be successful nurses. Unlike some state universities and even community colleges that barely care about their students success, just because their tuition is cheaper and know that there is a line of other students waiting to get in.

Yes, faculty to student ratio in private schools is a big plus.

I also think that some public schools have higher standards because they know there are students in line to take the places of those who failed. It can be a beneficial practice, since they most likely will have very strong graduates and high passing rates (not always, though). On the other hand, when you get personal attention from your instructor, it will help you learn so much faster, therefore you have more chances of succeeding. Nursing school is taught enough and when I go there I want to really learn the material with the help and knowledge of my instructors instead of constantly obsessing about test scores and staying in the program.

MssNurse2b · Feb 17, 2014

Before you get yourself in a bind make sure this scholarship is guaranteed all years in the Nursing program. Otherwise you will be stuck with a huge loan! I once had a coworker that attended a very prestigious private university nursing program, she kept telling me how she regretted going there because of the debt. This was years later married and family.

The scholarship is renewable (every year) as long as students maintain 3.0-4.0 GPA

I know a nurse who graduated with 72,000$ with her BSN because she took all of her classes in a 4-year college.

AngPartridge3 · Feb 17, 2014

I personally know nothing of a private school. I dont even think there is one around me..I really havent searched outside of the school I applied to. I was told if I didnt get in with it being so competitive, to try a private school, I have a friend who chose a private nursing school. There wouldnt be a waitlist. But I feel some sense of accomplishment that I applied and got into a comptetive public school. And the cost of the friends LVN program was 45k..mine with school loans will be MAYBE half of that. If were going for the same outcome, I dont see any point in private unless you would rather have that security of getting in?? If thats even why some choose private school- but you did touch an awesome point :)

runsalot · Feb 17, 2014

1. I am doing my homework; including the fact that I am asking for advice here 2. I am not interested in LPN/ADN programs and I know they are much cheaper at CC 3. The private school I am interested in is non-profit and charges 13500$/per year (after scholarship)[/quote']
Nothing wrong with your private non for profit school. Go where you feel called. Don worry about others. It's your money.

Hmarie12 · Feb 17, 2014

I will be attending a private university for my nursing program this summer. Yes, it will be expensive, and yes, I will have to take out a lot in loans. But nurses make a pretty darn good salary so I am not worried about it. I figure if I continue to live simply after I graduate I will have my loans paid off within a few years. Also, where I live private schools are not viewed in a negative light for hiring at all. In fact, I would say just as many nurses went to a public cc as did those who went the private route. I would apply to both public and private to see where you get in.

muirite · Feb 17, 2014

Well, first of all, I am sure that if I work hard enough, I will be able to find a job, especially when it comes to health care..... I seriously don't understand why so many people stressing about how hard it is to find a job in this economy. Of course, if all they want to do is sit and wait for a perfect opportunity co come, it can get depressing. Sometimes we all can step out of our comfort zone and do the job we might not want to do in order to make ends meet. ......
Muirite, this post wasn't addressed to you personally, I just wanted to state the fact that I am not afraid of loaned money. "Where is a will, there is a way"

I have a BA in Hospitality /BEV Management. I had to work my way thru and pay most myself (thank g-d). Now i work in HR for a large property. Almost all the "private " hospitality programs are for profit I see people come in to apply with 30k+ in loans for an AA.

I know HRM is nothing like nursing but i live in LA and the hospital jobs are hard to come by.