2 answers
Fairy
Student
Spring, Texas
1
Question
Asked
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I am a high school senior who is really interested in pursuing a BSN. However, I am unsure which college would be the best fit. I live in Houston, TX. I am primarily interested in competitive universities and I always look for ones with low acceptance rates, as I have a pretty decent GPA and good stats and would like to challenge myself further. Please provide me with some advice on what my priorities should be when looking for a college. Also, does it matter if a college has a high acceptance rate? I feel that attending a university with a high acceptance rate makes me believe that I am among people who may not be as competitive, and I feel that I deserve to challenge myself more.
Also would like to know if it would be easier for me to get an in-campus job as soon I will get my EKG and phlebotomy certification through High school. Like any universities that have good medical centers nearby that will get me a part-time job. Please any sort of advice would be appreciated thanks!! Let me know if you all have good recommendations for cheap and good universities.
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2 answers
Maureen Komperda
Nurse Practitioner
31
Answers
Elmhurst, Illinois
Updated
Maureen’s Answer
Wow Fairy,
You are in a state loaded with BSN nursing programs. I would recommend going to US NEWS & WORLD REPORTS and type in best BSN nursing programs in Texas or the United States. I quickly went online to do some quick research, University of TX, Austin is 17 in the nation. Austin also has a medical corridor of hospitals with some of the finest in the nation. I went to the University of Evansville in Evansville, IN for my BSN then onto University of IL at Chicago (MS in nursing) & Rush University in Chicago (for my NP) (U of I and Rush are ranked in the top 10-20 nursing schools in the nation in any given year).
Several important factors you want to consider in a nursing school:
1. Accreditation of a nursing school by: Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) AND Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
2. National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX) pass rate for the state nursing board exam (% of students who pass the nursing boards to obtain their RN). How successful is the school at helping you achieve your goal of BSN/RN?
3. Student to Clinical Instructor ratio: how many students does each instructor supervise during a clinical rotation. Do you get time with the instructor during your rotation or are the clinical nurses on a unit or in a clinic solely in charge of you.
4. What specialty of nursing are you interested in? You will have rotations in: medicine, surgery, obstetrics/women's health, pediatrics, acute care and more. I knew I could not care of children during my pediatric rotation. I felt like I was hurting them even though I love caring for children.
5. I would highly recommend either working or volunteering at a clinic or hospital to help you figure out your interests. I was a volunteer at Holy Cross Hospital in a surgical inpatient unit and a nursing assistant in the ED of Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago on the night shift, boy did I learn a great deal.
I hope this helps. Yes, you want to challenge yourself but choose a school that will expose you to the kind of nursing you would like to practice!
Best wishes, Maureen
You are in a state loaded with BSN nursing programs. I would recommend going to US NEWS & WORLD REPORTS and type in best BSN nursing programs in Texas or the United States. I quickly went online to do some quick research, University of TX, Austin is 17 in the nation. Austin also has a medical corridor of hospitals with some of the finest in the nation. I went to the University of Evansville in Evansville, IN for my BSN then onto University of IL at Chicago (MS in nursing) & Rush University in Chicago (for my NP) (U of I and Rush are ranked in the top 10-20 nursing schools in the nation in any given year).
Several important factors you want to consider in a nursing school:
1. Accreditation of a nursing school by: Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) AND Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
2. National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX) pass rate for the state nursing board exam (% of students who pass the nursing boards to obtain their RN). How successful is the school at helping you achieve your goal of BSN/RN?
3. Student to Clinical Instructor ratio: how many students does each instructor supervise during a clinical rotation. Do you get time with the instructor during your rotation or are the clinical nurses on a unit or in a clinic solely in charge of you.
4. What specialty of nursing are you interested in? You will have rotations in: medicine, surgery, obstetrics/women's health, pediatrics, acute care and more. I knew I could not care of children during my pediatric rotation. I felt like I was hurting them even though I love caring for children.
5. I would highly recommend either working or volunteering at a clinic or hospital to help you figure out your interests. I was a volunteer at Holy Cross Hospital in a surgical inpatient unit and a nursing assistant in the ED of Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago on the night shift, boy did I learn a great deal.
I hope this helps. Yes, you want to challenge yourself but choose a school that will expose you to the kind of nursing you would like to practice!
Best wishes, Maureen
Olivia Kelly
Registered Nurse
2
Answers
Apache Junction, Arizona
Updated
Olivia’s Answer
I'm really impressed by your enthusiasm! It's evident that you're truly invested in the prestige of the school you're aiming for.
1. Considering schools with a range of acceptance rates is a smart move. Remember, the acceptance rate isn't the be-all and end-all of a school's worth!
2. The place you earn your degree doesn't hold as much weight as the connections you make during your course. Treat your clinicals like they're your "job interviews". I suggest securing a position as a CNA or a nurse extern in the gap between your third and fourth year of school. Many nurse managers oversee not just nurses, but CNAs too, and catching their eye is a fantastic way to land a job after you clear your boards. Some might even offer you a job before your board exams, provided you pass them.
3. Wishing you all the best in your future pursuits!
1. Considering schools with a range of acceptance rates is a smart move. Remember, the acceptance rate isn't the be-all and end-all of a school's worth!
2. The place you earn your degree doesn't hold as much weight as the connections you make during your course. Treat your clinicals like they're your "job interviews". I suggest securing a position as a CNA or a nurse extern in the gap between your third and fourth year of school. Many nurse managers oversee not just nurses, but CNAs too, and catching their eye is a fantastic way to land a job after you clear your boards. Some might even offer you a job before your board exams, provided you pass them.
3. Wishing you all the best in your future pursuits!
Thank you so much!
Fairy