[birdgardner]

I've been accepted at Seton Hall (Georgian Ct.) and Drexel and then my husband was laid off so I was thinking about applying to UMDNJ also, which is 25K to Drexel's 35K and SH's 55K. What are my chances at UMDNJ given the other two acceptances?

At SH/GC I would start this Sept. and end in Oct. 2008, whereas at Drexel and UMDNJ I would finish in March 2009. That's four months of salary to partially offset the extra cost of SH - why is it 20K more than Drexel which is also private and has a fine reputation????

At Drexel and SH/GC the students said they were very pleased and looked focused and energetic. The staff and professors seemed supportive and helpful. At UMDNJ/Stratford the students said "You must hate yourself" when I asked about the program and made it clear that they received little support from the staff/professors, which is consistent with what I've read here. The staff I talked to were less informed, less helpful, much busier than the other two schools - when I could get through at all - they often don't return phone calls.

At UMDNJ I could possibly take three classes at the MSN level and get a start on that - with the dean's invitation.

Drexel has obviously put more resources and money into the assessment part - actors and progammable mannequins - as opposed to mostly assessing fellow students.

SH/GC claimed a 99% pass rate on the NCLEX, 100% in 6 months but I read lower numbers here. Drexel told me 100% employment on graduation which implies 100% on the NCLEX. UMDNJ told me 85% on the NCLEX.

Is there much difference in the OB and Ped's classes between the schools - I want to go into Nurse-midwifery, maybe Family Health.

Sorry this is so long - it's so hard to decide and I have to do it very soon. SH/GC is my first choice if it wasn't for my husband's job situation and the money - it starts and ends ealiest; I liked the feel of the place; it's Catholic and that matters to me and for those of you who believe in such things, I think I was given a sign.

[Makadaja]

First of all, Congratulations on your acceptance into a nursing program. These days that is a much coveted position.
Start as soon as possible do not try to analyze prestige, assistance, etc. at this point... You will finish with a BSN. Be careful regarding how much weight you place on individual subjective feedback on RN programs. They are in general rigorous. If one is balancing marriage, family, kids, health, illness, emotional or financial issues...Any nursing program will be perceived as unrelenting torture

Critical thinking, evidence based practice, professional and management skills preparation in addition to patient care is what you need to focus on and look for in any program. If you find any of those it lacking in your program, inform your dean or program educators. Too much hand holding will only hinder you when it comes time to take the NCLEX and starting off as a new graduate RN.

You have an interest in Family medicine and Women's Health(?) which sounds like your long term objective may be Advanced Practice.

I have been where you are and if I had given considerable to weight to the negatives that were told to me some 11 years ago, I would have not pursued nursing. I have had a phenomenal nursing career and will be starting soon as a Family NP.

All the best

[JerseyGuy]

Feel free to contact me "off-line" to discuss further. I'm already half-way thru the Accel BSN Program at UMDNJ, and be glad to share my thoughts with you.

[pwrcple]

Marmo:
I would like to discuss the program with you. How can I get in contact with you?

[JerseyGuy]

I'd be more than happy to speak with you about UMDNJ. It is a place that's improving, day-by-day....there is a new Dean in its School of Nursing (SON), and she's VERY committed to making UMD's SON much more "student-focused".

Moderator edit: email via profile

[birdgardner]

Marmo, I would love to contact you but your profile has no contact info - it looks like the moderator pulled your address from your post - safety regs.

Thursday (decision time) is coming up and I'm chewing nails here.

[birdgardner]

Huh - now the contact info is there - guess I wasn't logged in before. Sending you mail.

[AtomicWoman]

Check out the retention rate at each of those schools before you decide. Call them and ask what their retention rate is, if it's not posted on their website. The Drexel ACE program has a huge drop-out rate (or at least it did a year ago) -- like 1/3 dropped out. I don't know what the Seton Hall dropout rate is.

[cjcalimer]

I know it's a little late, but I'm currently a student at Seton Hall's accelerated program at Georgian Court. I'd be happy to talk to anyone who is interested. I'll be graduating in 49 days!!

[boobool07]

Originally Posted by birdgardner

I've been accepted at Seton Hall (Georgian Ct.) and Drexel and then my husband was laid off so I was thinking about applying to UMDNJ also, which is 25K to Drexel's 35K and SH's 55K. What are my chances at UMDNJ given the other two acceptances?

At SH/GC I would start this Sept. and end in Oct. 2008, whereas at Drexel and UMDNJ I would finish in March 2009. That's four months of salary to partially offset the extra cost of SH - why is it 20K more than Drexel which is also private and has a fine reputation????

At Drexel and SH/GC the students said they were very pleased and looked focused and energetic. The staff and professors seemed supportive and helpful. At UMDNJ/Stratford the students said "You must hate yourself" when I asked about the program and made it clear that they received little support from the staff/professors, which is consistent with what I've read here. The staff I talked to were less informed, less helpful, much busier than the other two schools - when I could get through at all - they often don't return phone calls.

At UMDNJ I could possibly take three classes at the MSN level and get a start on that - with the dean's invitation.

Drexel has obviously put more resources and money into the assessment part - actors and progammable mannequins - as opposed to mostly assessing fellow students.

SH/GC claimed a 99% pass rate on the NCLEX, 100% in 6 months but I read lower numbers here. Drexel told me 100% employment on graduation which implies 100% on the NCLEX. UMDNJ told me 85% on the NCLEX.

Is there much difference in the OB and Ped's classes between the schools - I want to go into Nurse-midwifery, maybe Family Health.

Sorry this is so long - it's so hard to decide and I have to do it very soon. SH/GC is my first choice if it wasn't for my husband's job situation and the money - it starts and ends ealiest; I liked the feel of the place; it's Catholic and that matters to me and for those of you who believe in such things, I think I was given a sign.

Hi i'm in my last semester at UMDNJ and it's an ok school considering it's ABSN..please as long as you'll have BSN after your name you'll be fine..focus on going to class and learning how to think critically..as nursing is a whole other subject and it's fairly the same in all school..Show me a NS that is well organized and i'll ask for my money back..hope this helps..you can PM me if you want more info..