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College Life and the Nursing Profession
College is one of the major paths people take in life. College is a learning experience, a
way to further education, and a place to meet good friends. It is a pit stop between high school
and the job market. In other words, college is not just a building full of students and athletes, but
a door to my future and dreams. In order to be successful and make something of myself, I must
attend college. College will bring me one step closer to joining the medical field as a nurse, and
one step closer to the mature adult I want to be. To be a successful nurse is one of my greatest
goals in life. Knowing that I could make a difference in the lives of others, would be excessively
filling. Nursing would be a smart career choice for me financially and personality-wise.
Attending a larger school may be out of the norm for me, but it will suit my personality and
lifestyle well.
The Ohio State University
The Ohio State University was established in 1870 through the Land Grant Act of 1862.
It is well-known for its research program as well as nursing, architecture, and arts and sciences.
This university ranks fourth for the largest colleges in the United States. OSU is ranked for its
First Year Experience program, 16th among the nation's best public universities, ninth among U.S
public research universities, and 12th in the nation among the country's most highly sought-after
graduates. The main campus is located in Columbus and has the largest sum of students. The
regional campuses are in Lima, Mansfield, Marion and Newark Ohio. OSU is student friendly
and offers many opportunities for involvement for students through the 1,000 different organized
clubs. Ohio State’s school colors are scarlet and grey and the mascot is Brutus Buckeye. The
Buckeye became the school symbol because the buckeye tree shows true grit. It is hard to kill,
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adapts to its surroundings, and it grows where others cannot (OSU, 2015). Of course OSU would
choose the Buckeye!
Budget
The Ohio State University is one of the top 20 largest universities in the U.S. They have a
broad selection of majors and courses. According to OSU’s main website, room and board at
OSU is $11,666 and the in-state tuition is $10,037(OSU, 2015, para. 1). This brings the
estimated cost to be $21,703 (meal plan included). However, my sister resides near the
Columbus campus so I have the option of living with her instead of rooming in a dorm. My
sister, Audrey Gorman, said the rent per month for her apartment is $385 (Gorman, 2015); with
the cost of the rent and the tuition, the total comes to roughly $14,657. The difference between
the two housing options is $7,046. In college, I would not be solely paying for housing and
education. I would also have to take into account all the money I would be spending outside of
the classroom. The following are possible items college students spend money on and the
average budget for each from Love to Know (2011).
Items
Cost
Clothing
$500- $1,000
Entertainment
$500
Food (assuming that
$500- $1,000
most meals are eaten on
or around campus)
Gas/car insurance
$ 1,200- $3,000
Cell Phone
$350- $600
Activities
$100- $1,000
Gifts
$100- $500
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Books and school supplies
$400- $1,200
Electronics
$200- $1,200
Travel (amount dependent
$100- $1,000
On how far)
The more conservative cost adds up to a total of $3,850, while the more generous amount
calculates up to $11,000 per year. Love to Know also stated that most college students fall in
between the two estimated totals (Frazier, 2011, para. 2). One of the reasons it is quite difficult to
determine how much a college student needs is because of all the spending factors that are stated
above. The cost for these items varies greatly depending on the person and place. Nationwide
Insurance stated that 3 out of every 4 college students will have a job while attending college and
will earn an average of $5,000 to $6,000 annually (Nationwide Insurance, 2015, para. 3). I intend
to apply for jobs while I am in college, so the amount I earn will more than likely cover my
spending money.
Major
Nursing at OSU is remarkably competitive. OSU’s nursing program does not have a
direct entry into nursing freshman year (general classes are taken the first year). OSU’s nursing
website stated that in order to get into the program, you must meet a certain list of requirements.
Based on ACT scores (minimum of 25), grades freshman year (C+ or above and at least a 3.2
GPA), and a letter of recommendation will decide admittance to the program sophomore year.
When accepted into the nursing program, there are specific credits that are needed to graduate.
These are the required credits:

6 credit hours of writing and related skills

6 credit hours of quantitative and logical skills
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16 credit hours of natural sciences

6 credit hours of social sciences

3–6 credit hours of history

6–9 credit hours of arts and humanities

6 credit hours of electives
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This brings the total required credit hours to be 68. 120 credit hours are needed to
graduate and 30 credit hours are required per semester. OSU requires nursing students to
intern by participating in clinicals sophomore, junior, and senior year of college.This shows
that not only is OSU’s nursing program selective, but the coursework is rigorous.
Campus and City Life, Students, and Transportation
Columbus is not only the capitol of Ohio, but is also a major city in the nation. Columbus
offers numerous opportunities and things to do. The city hosts headlining tours for the music
industry, antique book shops, and adrenaline pumping activities such as, skydiving and bungee
jumping. Columbus also has not only beautiful neighborhoods but historical ones as well, for
instance, the Victorian Village and German Village. There is also a variety of Catholic churches
scattered across the city. The Victorian Village, German Village, and churches are located fairly
close to campus. Columbus has a long list of things to do; boredom is not an option in this city.
Columbus has over 10 hospitals and one that is regionally and nationally ranked. U. S
News recognized the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center as the 4th best hospital in
Ohio (U.S News, 2015, para. 1). This gives me great opportunities in healthcare and possibly a
potential work place. OSU also offers students health insurance and a BuckID card. The BuckID
card grants students access to numerous stores and areas around Columbus. Through the BuckID
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card, students are able to get discounts to varsity sports games, books, clothing, food, and
activities.
OSU has 58,322 students at the Columbus campus. 44,741 of them are undergrad
students and 7,024 are freshmen and the rest are professional and graduate students. OSU’s
website even gives the female to male ratio; 47.3/52.7 (OSU, 2015, para. 3). Freshmen and
sophomores must live in dorms and freshmen are not permitted a car. However, there is a free
metro bus that takes students around Columbus, and classes are just a brief walk away in view of
the fact that classes and college buildings are laid out in an oval shape. I could avoid this no car
rule if I would live with my sister. It is a couple thousand dollars cheaper and OSU offers an off
campus living program and they are willing to negotiate costs.
The University of Cincinnati
The University of Cincinnati was founded in 1870 by the city of Cincinnati. UC is wellknown for its public research programs as well as nursing and architecture. The school mascot is
a bearcat and the school’s colors are red and black. Many widely- known people went to UC.
President and later Chief Justice William Howard Taft, Albert Sabin, developer of the oral polio
vaccine; and astronaut Neil Armstrong all graduated from UC. Florence Nightingale is also
associated with the college. The first Bachelor’s degree in nursing was offered at UC.
Nightingale founded the first training school for nurses in London in 1860. The University of
Cincinnati modeled their nursing program after her program in London. The college of nursing
building at UC displays a bust of Florence Nightingale that was given to them by Nightingale’s
great grand-niece (UC, 2015).
Budget
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The University of Cincinnati is a large institution ranking in the top 3 universities in
Ohio. UC is known for their research; however the nursing program is nationally ranked too. UC
is located in Cincinnati which is a major city in Ohio. On UC’s website, it is stated that Room
and board cost is $10,750 and tuition is $11,000 (UC, 2015, para. 1). That brings the total to
$21,750 (including meal plan). At UC I do not have the option of living with my sister so this is
the cost I would be paying since I would have to live in a dorm my first year.
Major
UC has a direct entry nursing program, so I would know before my freshman year if I am
accepted or not. The second year is when the program becomes selective. UC’s website explains
that sophomore year is when clinicals begin and an application is required for it (UC,2015, para
7). The problem is that the applications received outnumber the available clinical spots. The plus
side is that UC’s clinical experience is significant. In order to be considered for clinicals,
applications are required in the spring of the year in which you intend to begin the fall
sophomore nursing curriculum. Applicants to the sophomore year nursing program must have
completed all pre-nursing (freshman year) required courses and carry a minimum 2.5 GPA by
the application deadline. Admission decisions are based on the first-year curriculum GPA. The
nursing program in general is a four year program. To be admitted directly freshman year,
students must have a minimum of a 22 ACT score, 3.0 or more GPA, and a letter of
recommendation. To graduate and finally earn a nursing degree, a 2.0 or more GPA is required,
completion of all required classes, and a letter of recommendation from the faculty. The classes
and credit hours are the same for UC and OSU (UC, 2015).
Campus Life, Students, and Transportation
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Cincinnati is a larger city in Ohio and it offers the same activities as Columbus.
Cincinnati is home of the Reds Major League Baseball team and a NFL team, the Bengals. Cincy
has some of the top hospitals in Ohio such as, Bethesda North Hospital, Good Samaritan
Hospital, Christ Hospital, and the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. U.S News ranked all
of these hospitals in the top 10 best hospitals in Ohio (U.S News, 2015, para. 1). It’s no secret
that people have a better chance of getting a job at one of these hospitals if they had attended
UC. Throughout the nursing program at UC, it is easy to build connections and network with
people. Another perk at UC is the Bearcat card. The Bearcat card is just like OSU’s BuckID
card, it grants access to stores and activities around campus and Cincinnati!
Freshmen at UC are permitted a car and are only required to live in dorms during the first
year. All of the classes at UC are at a walkable distance, but there is a university bus that takes
students around when the weather becomes gruesome. There is also a free metro bus that
transports people all around Cincinnati and the university bus also commutes on weekends. The
University of Cincinnati has a total of 43,691 students. 32,677 of that total are undergraduate
students. UC also has an interesting percentage of 45.7/54.3 male to female ratio (UC, 2015,
para. 1).
Personality and Other Information
UC and OSU offer the same classes and coursework, according to the nursing websites
for each University. Here is a chart of the classes:
Freshman Year



English Composition (AP Language)
General Biology
General Chemistry
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



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General Psychology
Human Anatomy
Human Physiology
Introductory Sociology
Human Nutrition
Sophomore Year:








Introduction to Professional Nursing
Life Span Development Health Assessment
Introduction to Therapeutic Communication
Nursing Care of Adults & Older Adults I
Pathophysiology for Nursing Practice
Introduction to Pharmacology for Nurses
Scholarship for Evidence Based Practice
Microbiology
Junior Year:





Nursing Care of Adults and Older Adults II
Cultural Competence in Health Care
Nursing Care of Children and Their Families
Nursing Care of Women and Their Families
GE courses
Senior Year






Concepts in Community Health Nursing
Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing
Transition to Professional Nursing
Leadership & Management
GE courses
Electives
Senior year has less classwork compared to freshmen year. However, the courses become
more demanding. Also, clinicals start sophomore year and last for 3 years, which means more
time at the hospitals, labs, and hands on activities rather than class lectures. Normally, junior and
senior year is when students start to take electives, so that is another reason why there are less
required classes during those years.
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Personality
Mrs. Saluke administered a personality test to me and many students in my AP Language and
Composition class. My personality was determined to be ESTP. ESTP stands for extrovert,
sensing, thinking, and perceiving. This means that I work better in groups, I have a good sense of
things, and I think logically in emotional, critical, and casual situations (Saluke, 2015). UC and
OSU are both large Universities. Since I am extroverted, I would fit well in this environment.
The flock of students would not necessarily push me away like it would to some people, but
draw me closer. My personality type will help me excel in nursing. I learn best by doing, love
spontaneity, I can easily pick up cues on what people are thinking and feeling, and I work well
under pressure. All of these attributes are essential for a nurse. A nurse must be prepared for the
unexpected, have good communication skills, and a sense of understanding.
Work field
Nurses are currently in high demand because the nursing profession is one of the most in
demand professions in the world. The Bureau of Labor Statistics stated that, since nursing is
quite sought-after, there is a projected growth of 19% for nurses between 2012 and 2022 (Bureau
of Labor Statistics, 2014, para. 1). A 19% increased need for a profession is faster than the
average for all occupations. This growth is happening for a number of reasons, including the new
emphasis on preventative and maintenance care. The BLS also mentioned that the average salary
for nurses is $68, 910 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2014, para. 1). However, this number depends
on the location and specifics of the job, years of experience, and the level of education obtained.
Nurses can work in hospitals, private practices, health maintenance organizations, public health
agencies, primary care clinics, home health care, nursing homes, outpatient surgicenters, nursing-
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school-operated nursing centers, insurance and managed care companies, schools, mental health
agencies, hospices, the military, industry, nursing education, and health care research. Nursing is
immortal in the work field because people will always have children, and sadly, illnesses and
injuries. There will always be a need for a caretaker.
Nursing
After reading more about nursing, I am even more excited for the job and studies! It interests
me, and the further I research, the more convinced I become that this is the major for me. Having
experienced it firsthand, with a sick father and a sick grandmother ensures my decision for
nursing. Even though nursing is competitive, I find that it is worth it in the end because I can
almost guarantee that I will have a job after graduation due to the job market increase. Money is
not the only justification of why I want to be a nurse. The primary reason I want to be a nurse, is
to help those who cannot help themselves, and I find that cause very satisfying.
Conclusion
The University of Cincinnati and The Ohio State University both have qualities I am fond of.
I went on a college visit to both schools, and liked both campuses. However, at OSU, the campus
is more inviting with trees and spacious area and the school spirit was phenomenal, whereas
UC’s campus is mostly concrete with buildings stacked on top of each other and there is not
much space to be alone or to spread out. OSU’s students seemed genuinely ecstatic to be there,
and they held a lot of pride for their school. The students at UC looked a little unfriendly and
their happiness and smiles seemed a little forced to me. UC and OSU are both nationally ranked
for their nursing programs, but UC has a stronger and more hands on nursing experience. UC
staff took the time to show me the hands on lab work the nursing students participate in, and
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even let me experiment with the tools on my own! The professors seemed energetic and helpful,
which should not be overlooked when choosing a school. I was torn between the two schools
until I researched more, took the time to think on it, lay it all out, and write this paper. Now, I
prefer The Ohio State University. As I walked the campus during my tour, I felt a sense of pride
for this potential school and I struggled to find a reason not to go there. The campus is beautiful
and I feel comfortable and relaxed at OSU. I am also swayed more towards OSU because my
sister graduated from the school and lives not far from the campus. Not only are there numerous
opportunities at the university, but in the city as well. Columbus is a major city with many
activities to choose from. Plus, if I decide to switch majors, OSU has almost every major to
offer.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2014). Occupational outlook handbook. Registered nurses.
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Retrieved April 11, 2015 from http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm
Frazier, K. (2011). Lifestyle. Amount of spending money a college student needs. Retrieved April
10, 2015 from
http://college.lovetoknow.com/Amount_of_Spending_Money_a_College_Student
_Needs
Gorman, A. (2015). Casual information. Piqua, Ohio: Life at the ohio state university.
(2015). Piqua, Ohio
Nationwide Insurance. (2015). College student spending. Managing Money in College
Infographic. Retrieved April 10, 2015 from http://www.nationwide.com/college-studentspending-habits-infographic.jsp
Saluke, B. (2015). Personality type. Casual information. Lehman High School, Sidney
The Ohio State University. (2013). Majors. Nursing. Retrieved February 25, 2015 from
http://majors.osu.edu/pdfview.aspx?id=116
The Ohio State University. (2013). Undergraduate admissions. Tuition and fees. Retrieved
February 25, 2015 from http://undergrad.osu.edu/money-matters/tuition-and-fees.html
The University of Cincinnati. (2015). About UC. Costs and admission. Retrieved April 10, 2015
from http://financialaid.uc.edu/fees/costs14.html
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The University of Cincinnati. (2015). Academics. Nursing. Retrieved April 10, 2015 from
https://webapps.uc.edu/DegreePrograms/Program.aspx?ProgramQuickFactsID=2147&Pr
ogramOutlineID=1094
U.S News. (2015). Health. Hospital rankings. Retrieved April 11, 2015 from
http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/area/oh