Why did you pick the nursing school you did?

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I haven't picked a school to apply to quite yet but I wanted to know why everyone who was or is in nursing school choose the one they did?

1) cost. This ADN program is half the cost of a BSN

2) acceptance. I applied to a 2nd degree BSN program. I was waaaayyyy on the bottom of the wait list. I applied to and got into this program the first try.

3) I had finished all of my prerequisites for this school. The hospital program I looked at wanted a couple more classes. And I am DONE with prerequisites.

4) schedule. Well, so far it isn't too bad. We take 1 class every 8 weeks. Lecture is M, W, clinicals/ skills labs are T,Th. No class Friday.

5) So far, everything I've heard about the teachers are positive. They don't want you to fail, and will do everything in their power to help you out.

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Specializes in Recovery Room.

1.) Since I already have a BS in Psychology, my number one reason for choosing my school was that they offered an Accelerated BSN program. I chose BSN vs. ADN because I am considering getting my msn or becoming a np someday. Since I have already been through 4 years of undergrad and one year of grad school, the fact that the ABSN program was only 14 months was also quite appealing.

2.) Accreditation-my program has been accredited for many years and I only considered accredited schools.

3.) Location-I preferred a school near my hometown.

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Specializes in Cardiac Care.

Curriculum

Cost

Reputation

Location

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Tele, IM, OB/GYN, neuro, GI.

Cost

How quickly I could get through the program

If I was able to build upon my education from going there

Accreditation

How easy the application process was and your chances of getting in

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Specializes in Trauma/Burn ICU, Neuro ICU.

Why did I choose this school?

* NOT location. There are 6 or 7 schools closer. I am actually moving to be closer to my school

* It's a GREAT university, with large teaching hospitals connected, and a medical school.

* Love the town.

* My husband works in the same town as the school, so he'll no longer have an hour-long commute

one way.

* It's NOT for the tuition - $22,000 just for tuition for a 12 month Accelerated program.

* I want to work in the same hospitals after I graduate.

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Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Detox, Tele.

In no particular order:

1)length of waitlist....each college WAS 20 miles away....one had waitlist of 4 years, other used points system every semester, so based on entrance exam and previous classes, could be in the same year you applied....

2)amount of prereqs...I had to take 1.5 years of prereqs before I could even apply....then a summer class, then 2 years of nursing...OMG I've been in school for 7 years....(3 on accounting)....

3) How well respected the programs were in terms of the new hires....my college is known for busting out "street-smart" nurses...the other is known for busting out "fairy theory" nurses....

4) Cost......55 bucks a credit hour, vs. 325 a credit hour....hmmmm...tough choice.....

5) Degree at the end...ADN vs. BSN....

6) My overall feeling after talking to 2 grads of each program.....

Ask around, think about and make a choice...they're all hard on ya, so do whatever makes you feel like you can do it!

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Timing - I wanted to begin nursing school sometime before Fall 2008. I had been working on pre-req's since Spring 06. I completed pre-req's Fall 07.

Entrance Exams - I applied to an ABSN program in my home state that required the TEAS pre-test. I took the TEAS pre-test. I wanted to apply to other schools in my state, but some required the NLN pre-test and some required the Evolve Reach - 2 test. That's too many tests just to be granted an interview of which only 20-40 people were selected.

I chose my diploma program because I'll finish it by the time I would've started one of thos ABSN programs or ADN programs. At least I'll be able to work in my field and have my employer help deray the costs of getting a BSN and MSN.

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There are only 2 within driving distance. I couldn't afford the BSN, so I picked the CC to get an ASN. I'll probably go back for the BSN after I'm making $ again.

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whichever one I got in to!

High NCLEX rate

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i chose the nursing school i currently attend because it was about 45 minutes away from my house and it was cheaper than going to the private nursing school that I got accepted to. I wish now that I had done more research because the nursing school i attend is SOOO unorganized. so all i can say is really think about your choices and dont make your decision soley based on what I did! I wish I had gone to the private school now.

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1. Cost: I already have a BA in another field so I chose an ADN program. I'll wait until I'm working as an RN to bridge to a BSN and use tuition assistance (all the hospitals in the area offer it) from my work.

2. Hours required: I was accepted into a wonderful accelerated ADN program with direct connections to a local hospital system and then a part-time program through a CC. Both have a pass rate around 98-100%. It was an agonizing decision because I really wanted to go to the accelerated program but ultimately chose the part-time program so I would spend less time away from my kids. The accelerated program was Mon-Fri from 8-5 and the part-time program is Monday nights and every other Friday-Saturday-Sunday (all day).

It will take my 2.5 years (going through summers) to get my ADN instead of 16 months but I don't mind too much as my youngest will be entering kindergarten when I finish the longer program so that means I won't need to use full-time daycare.

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I wanted a BSN and the school I'm at is the only one reasonably close to my home that offers one, so here I am.

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