Bergen County Community College

U.S.A. New Jersey

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Looking to embark on a career change and go for the RN program here, have an Associates & Bachelors but its been 14yrs and want to know how hard it is to get in and anything else I need to know - anyone want to share about this school and the program. Thanks!

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I am currently a BCC Nursing student and I am graduating this May...YEAH!!! What I can tell you is that the program is great...It is extremely difficult to get in the program, and even harder to stay in, but you will be taught really well. We have some of the best nursing professors, and you will be surprised at how many Bergen Nursing grads you will see when you get out in the clinical sites. So good luck to you and I guess I will have to come back for another pinning ceremony when it's time for you to graduate...

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Thanks do you know anything about the night/p.m. program or is it best that I just go over there and speak to a guidance counselor there and is it worth taking the classes only to not know if you've gotten in. Just curious on how it works - like per se, what was your journey to getting there and Congrats on graduating in May! Job well done

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Congrats DEbbie !!!

I am in the evening program.

Not sure what your other degrees are in, but there are a few required prerequs that will need to be completed: A&P I and II, Chemistry, Sociology, Dev and Gen Psych…with Microbiology needing to be completed by Level 2 of the program. The Sociology and Pysch classes were done online/Hybrid. The others were on Saturdays. (840am – 2pm)….one class at a time. It has not been easy, but is doable. I work in NY during the day, which makes getting to class and clinicals ontime a little stressful.

So after the prereques are done, you still need to take the Entrance Exam. IMO this is the determining factor on if you get in…at least this were the case with my entering class. I say this because there were some with better GPAs than me, but with a lower Accuplacer score, that did not get in. Now the HESI entrance exam is used, which seems to cover more material than the Accuplacer.

Again, the program is demanding, but doable. Speak with a guidance counselor but I suggest posting your questions or concerns here. This is what I did.

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Ok I also work in NYC but I live in Jersey and just wanted to know how feasable it would be to go there, I was actually going to do LPN and bridge but how feasable is this if you work, like what are the part time hours - just curious. Thanks for the input, really psyched about this.

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Ok I also work in NYC but I live in Jersey and just wanted to know how feasable it would be to go there, I was actually going to do LPN and bridge but how feasable is this if you work, like what are the part time hours - just curious. Thanks for the input, really psyched about this.

Personally, I didn't measure any feasibility....I wanted to make a career change. Explained my intent to my wife and just put a plan into action. Classes are Mon - Thur. Mon and Tues from 610 - 10pm (usually out by 9-915pm)...and you have Clinicals on Weds and Thurs from 530 - 1030 (usually out by 915 - 930pm...but some Profs will keep you to the end). Last semester we were offered the option of all day Saturday with having Wed and Thurs off which was helpful come test time. I leave my home at 520am, at my desk by 645am...and usually out the door by 3-310pm to catch a 325pm or 345pm bus to be ontime for class. Yes, I have fallen behind in my work and may have to go in on weekends to make it up. I usually don't get home until after 10pm and sometimes at 11pm if I am studying in the library (closes at 1030pm) so it is not uncommon for my two young daughters to not see me for a couple days at a time.

I opted the ADN RN program over the LPN. Seems the hospitals I had my eye on, favored RNs, with some even no longer hiring LPNs. I have intentions on going on for my Masters so again the RN program was best for me.

I live mostly out of my car now...LOLOL but I believe in the end...my efforts will be well worth it.

To commute to NY cost me $400+ per month...and I don't get paid OT since it is a salaried position. Bonus' are no more and they have decreased my medical coverage while increasing my out of pocket cost. finding a nUrsing job in Jersey off the bat will save me the commuting cost and the cost to dry clean my suits and shirts.

just trying to give you everything. Let me know if I left something out..LOL

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Questions answered! Yes your journey sounds like how mine is about to be - but I've to get started on the prereqs so I'll start there. Thanks for all the info. I could do all days on Sats because I'd have to race outta here to make it for the clinicals at 5:30 or just leave here at 4:30ish - yes it really sucks now BUT the end result will be worth it. I am planning to go over to the College to take a look around and speak to someone about getting started, I need to start taking some classes to get this ball rolling pronto. Thanks so much for your feedback, its been very helpful!

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Questions answered! Yes your journey sounds like how mine is about to be - but I've to get started on the prereqs so I'll start there. Thanks for all the info. I could do all days on Sats because I'd have to race outta here to make it for the clinicals at 5:30 or just leave here at 4:30ish - yes it really sucks now BUT the end result will be worth it. I am planning to go over to the College to take a look around and speak to someone about getting started, I need to start taking some classes to get this ball rolling pronto. Thanks so much for your feedback, its been very helpful!

Good words to remember..."it's only temporary"...LOLOL

this is what I keep telling myself. eventually you will see the light at the end of the tunnel. What I have left out is the incredible people you will meet in class that will share your same wishes. Its a huge help going thru all this as a group. I believe I have made life long friends. So you will not be alone.

also, make sure you choose your Profs wisely for the Prerequs by asking others here....or going to RatemyProf.com. Here are the Profs I took that i recommend:

A&P 1: Dr Saleh Ali or Benedict

A&P II: Dr Saleh Ali

Chemistry: Dr RamDayal

Sociology: Dr Behn (Online)

Pysche (both): Wiater ( online)

MicroBio: Dr Jimenez

One LAST thing...LOLOL

After level 2...if you want you can sit for the CNA exam and possibly start applying for PT/Flex work. You will be waived for the practical part of the certification...but take the written which I understand is not that difficult.

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Thanks Daddy O...and good luck Joy Simone...the info that DaddyO gave u is definately on...The entrance exam that I took was the accuplacer and my class was the last one that they used it for, and since the HESI is used now it really gives you a good idea of how the exit exam is going to be at the end of Level IV...because as of right now my whole class is DREADING it!!! But like DaddyO said the program is dooable and we all survive SOMEHOW...so again good luck and welcome to the field..:D

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