ABSN at NJCU or UMDNJ

U.S.A. New Jersey

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Hi Everyone, I am just wondering as to your thoughts between NJCU and UMDNJ? Rutgers is my first choice. Which of these schools has a better reputation in your opinion? I think I would go for NJCU because one would be done sooner. But, I am just wondering if UMDNJ is a better name/reputation which one should consider for applying to graduate school and for the job market. I know Rutgers has a great rep, but I might not get in there and these are my two back up schools. Thanks!

I actually am taking a class at Rutgers Newark in Spring and didn't find the area where the school is to be problematic, I was only there a few times to register for the class though. From what I could tell UMDNJ seemed to be right down the road from RU Newark.

Absolutely not. UMDNJ is in the heart of the ghetto. At the informational session we were advised to only park in certain areas as cars are frequently stolen in broad daylight. It's in an environment where you don't hang around after classes.

I personally found Rutgers-Newark's nursing school to be far more aesthetically pleasing. It actually felt like I was part of a campus setting with coffee shops, etc. nearby. I just felt alot safer.

I'm not too worried if you think UMDNJ is "the heart of the ghetto". UMDNJ and Rutgers Newark are right next to each other so if UMDNJ is "in the heart of the ghetto" RU Newark is too.

Hi I want to know if you think I may have a chance applying at UMDNJ's BSN program I want to become a Rn. Never have I been a LPN but I am in my last semester @ Essex County College and I am looking into some nursing programs but I don't want to do the whole hassle of going for my LPN and then bridging to the RN program. Please help a sista out.

UMDNJ offers two BSN programs - a full-time accelerated BSN and a part-time BSN program. BOTH programs require applicants to already possess a Bachelors degree. If you do not have a bachelors degree then you do not qualify as a prospective applicant.

What will you be graduating with from Essex County College?? To become an RN you will either have to:

1. Complete an LPN to RN bridge program; or

2. Complete an ADN program and sit/pass the NCLEX-RN

After which, you can obtain your BSN with an RN to BSN program. Some programs in NJ that offer this include:

William Patterson University

The College of NJ

Bloomfield College

Kean

Felician

Rutgers-Camden

Farleigh Dickinson, etc.)

Schools/Facilities that offer the LPN to RN programs are:

Bayonne Medical Center

Holy Name Medical Center

Helen Fuld

Mercer County Community College

Mountainside Hospital

Trinitas Regional Center

I'm not too worried if you think UMDNJ is "the heart of the ghetto". UMDNJ and Rutgers Newark are right next to each other so if UMDNJ is "in the heart of the ghetto" RU Newark is too.

I live in NJ and am familiar with the surroundings. UMDNJ and Rutgers are not right next to each other. There are two sides of Newark - the good and the bad. Rutgers is located in the former, UMDNJ in the latter.

Well, I'm confused because when I was at Rutgers Newark I saw UMDNJ right down the road... Maybe they have buildings throughout Newark? I am actually looking at the crime report for UMDNJ it is pretty scary.

University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ: Public Safety, Annual Security Report

I grew up in Jersey City and did my prereqs there this fall and that is a stereotypically unsafe area, but I didn't have any problems. At first I was freaked out, but once you get used to the surroundings I felt fine.

Here is a google map of the campuses, if you zoom in you see they are adjacent:

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=wl&q=umdnj map

Well, I'm confused because when I was at Rutgers Newark I saw UMDNJ right down the road... Maybe they have buildings throughout Newark? I am actually looking at the crime report for UMDNJ it is pretty scary.

University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ: Public Safety, Annual Security Report

I grew up in Jersey City and did my prereqs there this fall and that is a stereotypically unsafe area, but I didn't have any problems. At first I was freaked out, but once you get used to the surroundings I felt fine.

The nursing school isn't on the UMDNJ campus itself. It's located directly opposite of where most of the other schools/departments are, which I found disturbing. So what you may have seen was the main campus, not the building that holds the nursing school.

As for the nursing school, they have to lock certain entrances at certain hours. Cars get stolen frequently in the area. There has also been a few robberies. It helps that they provide shuttle services to and from major transportation hubs (Light Rail, buses, etc.) so you won't have to walk around at night, but the surroundings alone made me decide to not apply there. Sorry, but I want to actually enjoy my learning experience and surroundings are a huge factor for me, especially if you're charging more than other universities to attend!

Oh, you're not applying here. Mind if I ask where you are applying?

Specializes in Critical Care, Postpartum.
The nursing school isn't on the UMDNJ campus itself. It's located directly opposite of where most of the other schools/departments are, which I found disturbing. So what you may have seen was the main campus, not the building that holds the nursing school.

As for the nursing school, they have to lock certain entrances at certain hours. Cars get stolen frequently in the area. There has also been a few robberies. It helps that they provide shuttle services to and from major transportation hubs (Light Rail, buses, etc.) so you won't have to walk around at night, but the surroundings alone made me decide to not apply there. Sorry, but I want to actually enjoy my learning experience and surroundings are a huge factor for me, especially if you're charging more than other universities to attend!

You are NOT a UMDNJ student, so don't give advise as if you know UMDNJ. The School of Nursing IS on the UMDNJ campus. UMDNJ is a big campus. You not applying to UMDNJ gives another student a chance to get in. Make sure when you one day become a nurse, if you do, you apply to hospitals in "good" neighborhoods so you can feel good about being a nurse.

Oh, you're not applying here. Mind if I ask where you are applying?

I was initially going to stick to NJ schools but am looking to branch out - Duke (dream school), UNC Chapel Hill, Emory, U-Texas, to name a few.

As you can see, I want out of the Mid-Atlantic region. I've grown tired of the East Coast, cold weather, etc. Better quality of life is located in the South, in my opinion, and your salary can go considerably further.

But I digress. Best wishes with your applications. :nurse:

You are NOT a UMDNJ student, so don't give advise as if you know UMDNJ. The School of Nursing IS on the UMDNJ campus. UMDNJ is a big campus. You not applying to UMDNJ gives another student a chance to get in. Make sure when you one day become a nurse, if you do, you apply to hospitals in "good" neighborhoods so you can feel good about being a nurse.

Looks like I've striked a nerve. I do not have to be a UMDNJ student to relay factual information on the surroundings of your school. Your own faculty/coordinator spoke of this reality. Oh, but what does she know, right? She isn't a UMDNJ student. :rolleyes:

And according to this map:

http://sn.umdnj.edu/about/mapsdir/newarkmap.pdf

The Stanley S. Bergen Building is not part of the central campus, nor does it have an aesthetically pleasing appearance. It's run down.

hi! you are so helpful with your comments. i was trying to put in an application for the summer admission but i havent raised much money yet for the program so am thinking about applying for the fall semester. i would be glad if you could give your honest opinion about the program... ie how difficult and time consuming is the program? upon acceptance, did you have to write an entrance exam? how difficult was the exam? and if i may ask, what was ur undergrad. gpa as well as science gpa...

hi! you are so helpful with your comments. i was trying to put in an application for the summer admission but i havent raised much money yet for the program so am thinking about applying for the fall semester. i would be glad if you could give your honest opinion about the program... ie how difficult and time consuming is the program? upon acceptance, did you have to write an entrance exam? how difficult was the exam? and if i may ask, what was ur undergrad. gpa as well as science gpa...
Also are you a Rutgers alum (kidding!)
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