will it matter what RN school I go to for NICU?

[picurn10]

I am currently an LPN student, planning to bridge straight to RN in Aug. I have to start applying to bridge program in the next couple of months. I basically will have my pick of the RN programs in my area (which is why I went LPN to RN). Of course all the programs are seen as best, good, and so on. I'll be honest: I'm a single mom who will be working as an LPN while in RN school, so I'm not looking for a huge academic challenge, and I personally don't care to be able to brag that I went to the "best school" or whatever. But, I really, really want to work in the NICU after graduation and I'm wondering if for that reason alone I should go with one of the schools with a better reputation?

From my research, the NCLEX scores are about the same at all, but the level of work (like presentations, papers, etc....) varies a lot from school to schol. I already have a degree in psychology, so I'm so tired of school at this point, but if it will increase my chances of getting hired into NICU after graduation, then I'm willing to put in the extra work.

[elizabells, BSN, RN]

I think it depends on where you are and what schools are in the area. If it's a choice between, like, a community college and an Ivy, then yeah, it might matter. (Disclaimer: I have no idea how LPN-RN programs work or at what kind of schools they are offered.) Keep in mind, though, that some schools with a big name (like my own Ivy League alma mater) actually have a terrible reputation with local hospitals. So do what works for you, and it'll all come out in the wash.