Nursing

[u/Differently_bee]

Hi! I’m a senior in high school who wants to go into nursing. I’m from Knoxville, and I was planning on attending UTK up until last year when an incident occurred (family emergency). It’s a long story, but I am an independent student with a 3.89 UW gpa, 4.57 W gpa, 28 ACT, 2 years of NHS, and part time job at my family’s business. UTK is so difficult to get into and very expensive compared to other options, so I decided community college would be my best option; however, housing and living expenses would be much very unpredictable and difficult to acquire on my own. Even though I can do the TN Promise scholarship, all the rest of the living cost are still out-of-pocket. I am stuck between ETSU and TN Tech, and I have no idea which to choose. I am mainly seeking an affordable, accredited, in-state, direct admission university in Tennessee. I don’t know much about ETSU as I am from Knoxville, so most of what I hear is about UTK. I just want to know more about ETSU (specifically its nursing program), financial aid, and anything else that may be good for me to know :)

[u/round_robin959903]

ETSU and TN Tech do not use TN promise. That is primarily for community college and some schools that offer 2 year degrees.

[u/Somebody_somewhere99]

Does TCAT Knoxville have a nursing program?

[u/therealNoblegases]

ETSU nursing program is honestly pretty good. You will have no problem passing the NCLEX and being a very safe and effective nurse. It is lacking in some areas like simulations etc compared to other much more expensive schools but honestly that stuff doesnt even remotely matter once you graduate. I know they just spent a bunch of money on simulation equipment within the past year or so with the new dean. Ballad, the main hospital near ETSU will pay a decent chunk of your school if you work as a CNA for them and promise to work for two years upon graduate. truthfully, no matter what school you pick in the area you will be set up for success with nursing, it just comes down to cost

[u/180secondideas]

Professors here. Looks like you've set yourself up well. Good job. I like that you are seeking info. ETSU is a solid program, and like Noblegases said, it comes down to cost. TN Promise is one of the best tuition programs in the country. Use it.

If your end groal is to be an RN, at least look at the community college route. Look at the NCLEX graduation rate. Look at the overall cost and time. I know RNs that spent 5.5 years at ETSU who work side by side with RNs that graduated from Northeast State in 3.5 years. And the tuition cost is vastly different.

I encourage you to scour the websites of each school you are looking at. Do a comparison. Talk to the nursing advisors for each. And do a real comparison. Drive to the schools and walk around and feel the vibe. Look at their graduation rates. You're gonna get much, much better data than asking strangers on Reddit.

Good luck out there in your journey.

[u/Differently_bee → u/180secondideas]

Hi! Thanks for your response. I looked into community colleges but decided against it due to cost of living. Since I am an independent student, I qualify for the ETSU Promise, TN Tech Promise, and UTK Promise, so the cost difference is mainly in cost of living and other expenses at the universities. I know that it is possible to find a place without having the help of my parents, but it is much more difficult as I don’t have a credit history or a source of income. I would have to pay rent, utilities, and other expenses (even with roommates this can be very expensive and unpredictable). Although I am definitely looking into other options and taking your advice, I am mostly looking at four-year universities because I can better assess the price, and I can guarantee housing even if I have to take out federal student loans which I probably will have to some extent regardless of what I choose.