Nursing Programs: Community College or University
The growing field of nursing is powered not only by the need for increasing medical support
for the aging baby boomer population, but also by the opportunity to truly make a difference in patients’ lives.
Nursing programs can be found in virtually every state, as well as online courses that offer LPN training and advancement
opportunities.
For those interested in a career in nursing, the choices may be daunting at first. How does an
aspiring nurse decide between the various curricula? Is there a difference between nursing
programs offered at community colleges or universities?
Nursing Education: Career and Certification
Goals
When choosing between a college or a university for nurse training, many different factors
come into play, including tuition costs, location, and qualifications of the instructors. Above all, keep your
long-term career goals in mind, and consider the future advancement opportunities afforded by each type of
education.
Community colleges may offer specialized nursing programs for students who wish to become RNs
(registered nurses) or LPNs (licensed practical nurses). These programs are more economical, and may also be
shorter than comparable university education for the same jobs. It's possible to study at a community college in
an RN training program for three years, at less than half the
cost of a university's BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing)
degree – an alternate qualification for RNs.
Someone with a BSN will make an equivalent income working the same job as an RN – but the BSN
may enable them to move up into a management position at a higher salary. If you're interested in pursuing
further education at some later point in time, the BSN will be more useful there as well. RNs who lack the BSN
degree may be required to make up courses or find a RN to BSN bridge program before pursuing a Master's in
Nursing or other specialized training.
Nursing Programs at Colleges vs.
Universities
If you're thinking more in the short term, on the other hand, there are substantial advantages
to studying at an accredited community
college:
- A community college offers much lower tuition than a university.
- It's possible to complete a college nursing program to become an LPN in
one to two years, or an RN program in two to four years – substantially less than a four-year BSN
degree.
- Some community college programs may offer more practical or hands-on teaching, while
universities are more knowledge-based – though this will depend on the individual program.
- The quality of education can be equal. This is not to say that all community colleges
offer education in keeping with a university, but those that are accredited by either the National League
for Nursing Accreditation Commission or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing and Education are reputable.
It's also worth looking into a school's hiring rates and NCLEX examination pass rates, which will vary
across both universities and colleges.
For students interested in completing a BSN but who can't afford the cost of a four-year
university degree, it's often possible to complete prerequisite courses at a college for a fraction of the cost,
and then transfer into the third or fourth year of a nursing program at a university. If this is of interest,
it's worth the time to inquire and plan all the steps in advance, from approving all your course equivalents to
timing applications and payments.
The choice between community college and university nursing programs is a personal decision that should be based on your
career goals, as well as your financial situation and the type of environment in which you work best.
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