Any university students here? I'm going to school to do my undergrad. How did you narrow down college of choice?

[ZenJen444]

I'm currently an ADN going towards BSN. How did you narrow down your college of choice? Price? Clout? How fast you could complete it? Whoever has the best curriculum? Their ranking in your major?

Updates

10 mo

I won't be on campus. The BSN portion is primarily research which will be online and some public health which will be a 100hr practicum at facility of choice.

[KBird]

Congrats!

I am currently taking my Masters in Architecture, but initially got a Bachelor in Design.

When determining where I would go, I made a list of the factors that were most important to me from greatest to least. As follows:

1. the courses offered (what courses do they offer that others don't, who teaches the course, innovative technology use, will I benefit from this?, etc.)

2. their alumni succession rate (how likely are graduates able to get jobs in their field of practice afterwards)

3. travel opportunity

4. location

5. cost (scholarships are always an option, but shouldn't be depended on)

6. student clubs. I haven't joined any clubs, but a university with a well rounded and active student body is really great. Extracurriculars is where you meet likeminded people and potentially future employers/coworkers. My university provides a lot of zoom events, which is great so you can still participate if you aren't on campus, especially since Covid.

Like I mentioned, this was my list, yours might be different, but it should help you figure out what is most important to you.

Based on that, I would narrow it down to my top 5 schools, then I would send out emails to alumni and staff and ask questions that would help me to determine my top 3, I would even have zoom meetings with them if possible. Then I applied to those and wished for the best. :)

[ZenJen444]

Thank you so much and congratulations to you too. This is a great list. Are you designing homes, apartments, restaurants, corporate offices or is there no limit to what you design.

One school is less expensive and a good school while the other one is a bit more pricier with notable alumni

[ZenJen444]

And the less expensive one has a simpath and traditional path while the more expensive one has only traditional and requires a preceptor

[KBird]

Thank you! Thats the plan! I just finished my first year, so nothing 'concrete' yet :P
People ask what I want to do after school, and I still have no idea, there are so many options! :)

Ok. I would look into why one is more pricey than the other. Does one have more unique/limited technology that the other doesn't? Because if you're able to learn how to use said tech, it could distinguish you from others graduating in the same field. And the same can be said for the courses taught. One might have a more unique approach that could be beneficial to you.

I think a school with a notable alumni is great, but at the same time, "the courses dont necessarily make the student". Meaning, that others that graduated from the same program as these alumni may not have had the same results or success rate. I think a great University is one that is able to provide you with good job opportunities or references.

Also, why not apply for both schools? You should have a few safety schools chosen just in case. :)

[KBird]

Ahh ignore my second point about the price. Im unfortunately unfamiliar with how the BSN program works, but having a preceptor (which I assume is a practicing physician, would be really great as they are giving hands-on and practiced advice).

[KBird]

Also, one last thing, if you start a program and feel that it isn't the right fit for you, you can always consider transferring. Its a lengthy process, but it should be possible.

[ZenJen444]

The expensive college their recruiter blows up my phone all day everyday and is too pushy. It's a beautiful college with so much to it as far as networking but he had made me lose interest

[SecretsofKB]

Hey! Nurse here!!

So I went to do my BSN at a specific university due to it's program. It has one of the better nursing programs available in my part of the country. The hospital attached to the university is also the largest and best in my state as well. That was my reasoning at least.

Additionally, this university has a top CRNA program in the country... for which I have an interview for tomorrow!

[ZenJen444]

Hey!! Thanks it's nice to hear another nurses prospective. Do you feel your school made you stand out to employers?

Congratulations, I hear crna is the way to go less stressful than bedside and more pay. How long is the program? And why crna over np

[SecretsofKB]

So for me, I got hired at the University's hospital in the unit I did my clinical rotation in. I think there is a slight preference towards hiring students from my university at this hospital because they know the program and they see the students work first hand as well as having better access to the nursing instructors if they want to ask questions about the candidate. This usually pertains to new grad hires though.

That being said, from what I have heard, graduating from my school does make a bit of a difference throughout the state when applying for a position.

I did CRNA because of the knowledge and professionalism of the CRNAs I've interacted with at work. I just haven't been impressed with the few NPs I've worked with.

[ZenJen444]

I had just found out there are travel crna jobs. There's this girl called crna. bae on instagram. She wrote a book called the traveling crna and traveled as a crna throughout the pandemic. Her job looks fun.

Since you're a nurse i feel more comfortable asking you this question. Which option would you take as far as my situation.

College option 1:
Rn to bsn route has two path options such as simpath which is digital, cheaper, go at your own pace. Traditional path where you go outside for your community health hours. No preceptor requirement have the option to interview or shadow public health nurses. Good college but doesn't have the notable alumni like option 2. Does not require preceptor search.

College 2:
Expensive , requires a preceptor ,100hrs of community health has to be outside of your job, only has a traditional path, group projects, notable alumni. Ranked top 5 in arizona nursing programs. Theory is online but not community health practicum.

[SecretsofKB]

I would love to travel, but I didn't have enough experience under my belt for any companies to take me, and now I am kind of settling down here so I think that opportunity is gone lol.

But as for your options, well that depends (I know, I hate that answer too). What are you looking to do with the BSN? Are you looking beyond into any advanced nursing degrees? If you aren't then I would suggest looking at the easiest and cheapest way to get your BSN. That is all most facilities want or care about anyways.

But it also depends on you as the student as well. What is the best environment for you to learn? Where do you think you will excel the most? I personally need to be in the classroom and truly benefited from my preceptors.

Like I said though, if you just want those letters by your name so you can get into what every facility or position that requires them, go for the cheaper and easier route.

[ZenJen444]

I agree i know of a BSN who did travel nursing. He told me they hit the ground running no training. I could not do that. I'd like to at least get oriented to a facility. He is now in crna school in Florida. So yeah I would settle where you are too vs being tossed into the cold as a traveler.

So the school where you get the rn -bsn doesn't matter to the employer? That was my concern and why I was looking at the more expensive school. As far as advancing I had thought about NP initially but like you said I'm not impressed either. I am more into home health, group homes, school nurse, cosmetic, spa nurse type positions, nurse theory instructor, test prep nurse for nclex programs. I didn't like facilities because of the nurse to patient ratios just no. i like a more slow paced relaxed environment

[SecretsofKB]

Yeah, I really like the city I am in now and my facility is great more often than not. My partner and I just bought a house, so they might be pretty upset if I were to uproot us for a travel contract lol.

Personally, I don't think your school has much bearing on what and employer thinks. Especially now, with the staff shortages. All they want is the BSN. They don't care how you got it. I would save the better school if you were really set on any advanced nursing, or if you feel like you need the education to feel better prepared.

From what I have heard, for home health and things you mentioned that you're interested in, your school really doesn't matter. Bedside nursing especially. But good call on staying away from unsafe ratios. I will always count myself lucky as my unit maintained safe ratios (1:2 in a large MICU) even through the pandemic. I have friends from school that went into other units in my hospital or in surrounding hospitals and the ratios they work with make me want to dry heave.

I think you would be totally fine with the cheaper option if that's what you need.

[ZenJen444]

Plus they know you and you know the ins and outs of where you work. And you just bought a home so I'm sure you want to get used to your home.

That's what I was thinking too plus from reading the curriculum from rn to bsn it's more of research papers. And public health.

Yeah it's getting crazy at these facilities. Now covid has spiked gain and now we have monkey pox omg

[SecretsofKB]

Yep, I had to learn the ins and outs of my unit during the first wave of COVID... I am not really willing to go find a new place to learn lol. And yeah lol, I think even joking to my partner about leaving would make her want to murder me lol

But yes, it sounds like the public health focus of that option is more up your alley since that is where you are looking towards in the future. Plus... not as much debt lol. I am still paying my student debt and I hate it every single time it comes out lol.

Yeah, we are more than sick of COVID at this point, and we just had our first case of Monkeypox in my city last week so yippee for that... I like bedside, but I like to enjoy my life also lol

[ZenJen444]

Yeah id stay where you are. You sound content there. With crna you won't be bedside?

[SecretsofKB]

Yes, but I'm thinking PACU instead of where I am at now for most of my bedside responsibilities. I won't be up my patient's ass all day... hopefully lol

[ZenJen444]

🤣🤣🤣

[ZenJen444]

@SecretsofKB how is school going? Have you started yet? I took a year break now I'm feeling like wtf did I sign up for 🤣. How long did you stay out of school before you decided to go back for crna?

[SecretsofKB]

@zenjen444 Hey! No I haven't started. I just had my interview for the program a few weeks ago and they're still interviewing candidates 🙃 lol. They won't have a decision until September which sucks so much lol.

I graduated spring of 2019, so I've been out of school over 3 years now (shit that makes me feel old). CRNA always sounded interesting but I never had a solid plan to apply for it this early in my career. My potential program required at least 1 year of ICU experience. I have 2.5 years now. I honestly thought I would work for maybe 10 years before really trying any more school.

Now that there's a possibility I'm going to have to go back to school, I'm getting nervous lol.

[ZenJen444]

@SecretsofKB September is pretty close we have a couple more weeks. 3 years yet you're ready to dive in. I've only had a year out yet lazy/nervous 🤣. 2.5 years is great. That's why I've been seeing as far as rn going for their crna. 2.5 years and up. Same , 🤣 I didn't expect the school to take all my credits. Some were a couple years old. Now I'm nervous like shit I go right into the bsn courses. When is the crna program supposed to start? One you get accepted and decide you want to attend that school?

[SecretsofKB]

@zenjen444 It is so close yet so far away lol. I'm just nervous about being ready to go back to school for 3 more years lol and grad school at that...

Yeah, it's decent experience anymore which is scary. I'm closer to the top in terms of ICU experience on my floor because we've had so many nurses leave.

So if I get accepted, the program will start next May lol. Which is crazy because I put my initial application in this passed May.

So I must have missed it somewhere? What school did you choose?

[ZenJen444]

@SecretsofKB it's 3 years ! When we say it it sounds long but I think it'll fly by lol. There's a YouTuber I watch he talks about his crna journey , his first test, how he stays in dorms during the weekday to complete school then goes back home. It's pretty interesting. Wow yeah a lot are leaving the hospital so I've heard and went to travel. Travel sounds good in terms of money but I don't know how I'd feel jusy being thrown into a random hospital lol. I'd feel safer as staff. That's next year. So you have time to chill. I did end up choosing the RN to bsn. I was looking at the RN-MSN but I feel if I go to MSN I should either go bedside at a hospital, case manager, education or case management. So far I like what I do so I stuck to bsn so at least if I change my mind I can go from bsn to which ever. Np doesn't sound appealing to me but crna sounds fun and intense.

[SecretsofKB]

Oh cool!! Yeah, I think that's a good choice! There will always be the opportunity to keep going with your education in thr future.

I have a love/hate relationship with our travelers here lol. Some are great and some are... not lol.

But yeah, it will be an intense but fast 3 years if I get in. But I'm glad I'm doing it over NP. NPs are just getting a bad rap right now lol. I've seen physicians shit all over them... and it's not uncalled for lol

[ZenJen444]

I dont have interest in NP either. 😭😭 absolutely that's what I love about nursing we have so many routes it's nonstop. Nurses are taking over. I dont think doctors are too crazy about that.

[SecretsofKB]

Lol too true. Scope creep is pissing them off and making hospital admin more money lol

[ZenJen444]

I forgot to ask you. Do we qualify for financial aid as RN? I know for your program you're considered post grad so you won't qualify for financial aid?

[SecretsofKB]

So I'm pretty sure we can qualify for financial aid. I never did though because my family made just enough to not qualify but no where near enough to actually pay for college lol

And I am still able to qualify even for grad school, but I don't I will because I make too much.

[ZenJen444]

I know 🤣 that's why I don't even attempt it anymore because since we're RN we might be seen as making too much and not qualify. What are your thoughts on scholarships? I feel like they're like a lottery. I see people say apply for these yet there is like a million other people applying. Then you have to write a an essay🤮. I'm so over essay writing

[Guy13]

See if you can get in one where there is a legitimate medical school that is a part of it. It is a four year degree. Some people decide RN and go back as Physician Assistant. I know two that did or are doing that after 6 and 9 years in neonatal intensive care and ER...

[ZenJen444]

Yeah definitely There is a medical school connected to both.

[Guy13]

Beautiful... go have a good time !!

[ZenJen444]

A good time studying? 🤣

[Guy13]

Yep and good luck with that backwards damn office in the interim...

[Avicenna]

Undergrad you should primarily aim to keep costs down, especially if you know you’re going to grad school. But also keep the Alumni network the school offers in mind.

[ZenJen444]

I won't be on campus so I'm curious how networking would play out but the cheaper school isn't as notable as the other school that's pricier. I dont know how much these things matter to employers. I've always gotten hired because 1 I have an RN license and 2nd my experience.

[Avicenna]

You don’t have to be on campus to network. You’re in nursing, so you write your own ticket anyway.

[Jessica405]

Mostly by their ranking. A degree is just a degree. Where you get it is just as important.

I went to one uni for my BSc and MComp. Then a slightly better one for a doctorate. Met my guy there. Both got excellent positions now, researching on the same project.

[ZenJen444]

So the higher up you go in your degree the better the school you aimed for? Do you think employers put much emphasis on school vs skills?

[Jessica405]

They put them equally. Like the skills you learn are not much use if you have not finished a course. I went for the second best uni for my last 3 1/2 years. A degree from a top uni is worth more than from a low ranking uni. The latter have courses usually easier than the top ones.

[sw1916]

Nice to see a future fellow nurse

[SecretsofKB]

Nice to see a fellow current nurse.

[sw1916]

Oh we got us a club here lol

[SecretsofKB]

Lol yep. I'm sure if too many of us show up, some free pizza might make its way to the break room lol

[sw1916]

@SecretsofKB just make sure all of you are wearing your masks lol

[SecretsofKB]

@sw1916 And no water bottles at your stations... lol

[sw1916]

@SecretsofKB the narc count better be right too, no one is getting turnt up in this mf lol

[ZenJen444]

🤣🤣🤣

[driven159]

now adays take what will get you the best high paying job and get the job fastest after you are done with school don't waste your time on bullshit courses if I were to go to college now, I would lean too environmental job for the government

[ZenJen444]

I already have a career I'm an RN. I'm just looking for a school to do my undergrad.

[driven159]

ok just upgrading yourself that is smart of you just make sure you don't burn yourself out RN work is very hard work

[ZenJen444]

Yes just upgrading. I know 🤣 I had to learn that the hard way. I recently toned it down a month or two ago. I only work 3 days a week 12 hour shifts I'm off 4 days a week now. It's good and yet bad. I love the time I have for myself yet I'm getting lazy now 🤣. As far as bullshit courses I agree. I dont know why I had to take history class and music appreciation for nursing. Has nothing to do with it. I love history and art tho. Why environment and government?

[driven159]

I feel soon there will need a lot of people to deal with global warming and the government will have to deal with it along with fresh drinkable water in the furure If I was young that would be my majors

[jennifer_bloom]

It was the best school that I was accepted into so the choice was simple.

[Deathraider]

I just went to the uni in state.

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