Applying to Mountainside Hospital School of Nursing?

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I applied to Mountainside Hospital School of Nursing..took the NET and received great scores:yeah: and now, waiting to set-up interview with school.

Anywone else applying and waiting to hear back? Anyone already go through their interview? I'm interested in waiting with other applicants!

This is my top choice and I'm ready to be accepted!! :D:D

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@ nancy, is mountainside your first choice?

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BTW, Ms. * did mention to me in our interview to "look forward to the mail by next week," and "keep the month of July open." I mean one would think this is great, but I am not great until I get the official letter. :bluecry1:

On a lighter note, I hope you get in. I hope we can all be each other's support team and bang this program out and become RNs and our hearts filled with happiness and pure satisfaction! :cheers:

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Francine,

Yes it is!

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@Francine470

Mountainside Hosp. is a couple mins. off exit 150 on Garden State Parkway...I am about 5 mins. or so from exit 131.Maybe 35-40 mins away, my guess....Our parkway is usually about 1 mile per exit I think. Is the school at Mountainside Hospital itself?

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Specializes in 7.

@Lee...yes the school is across mountainside hospital.

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@ Nancy...It is not that the schools make it so difficult for the students, it is just that the competition for the available spots are so steep...The Nursing programs need to keep their pass/fail rates, as well as drop out rates low to keep their funding rates high. I was taking science courses at MCC with students that unemployment was paying for that told me they would be happy passing with a C...WTH? I actually requested another lab partner because of this.It has taken me a long time to get to this point and I am holding a 4.0 GPA. I was not going to continue a course with someone who was not as dedicated to doing well as myself. To me, if you give it your all and only get a C, well at least you tried...But to only strive for a C to begin with shows you really arn't to motivated to get into a Nursing program as most schools weigh your science grades the highest. At least MCC does. Yes, we have a high Nursing shortage, but the schools are looking overall for students they are confident are dedicated enough to make it through the program.Nursing over the past years has become a occupation that people feel that can get in a short amount of time and be guaranteed a job when they graduate because of the shortage we all read about. I don't think a lot of people take into account exactly what the program entails. I heard MCC had close to 1,000 applications for 100 spots and that their wait list was close to 2 yrs. for some reason.I was happy to get through my first time applying, and the TEAS was a royal pain as they included the science portion. Muhlenburgs test did not include science portion( which it will in the Spring) but it had a critical thinking portion which also was a pain...

From the sound of your posts, I think you will be fine...Exhale a little.You just need to be patient, as patience will be a virtue once you become a nurse,lol.

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Lee17,

Thanks for the encouragement.;) What I mean by when I said the standards are high are by the standardized tests. Yes the competition is high but honestly if I don't make it by 2 points and I get an 88 instead of a 90 (for example, any school's mark) I am not accepcted into that school's program. That's what happened to me for Holy Name two years ago---so there was no rounding off there. A pre-admission test does not show whether or not I can handle or absorb the nursing inf or if I can excel. It is the science courses and the nursing curriculum in my opinion that should matter for a nursing degree. All I am saying is that I don't like these pre-admission tests and how everyone is put into a category. To me they are more stressful than studying for micro...lol. Again just my opinion.

Best of luck to you and please do not take my reading in offense. I just want it this so bad I can smell it....lol :coollook: It can also be from my experience and what I hear from others. I shouldn't listen but inquiring minds want to know...lol

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Just some quick clarifications -- I'm an MCC student and I've taken all my pre-reqs there ... and I will be going to Muhlenberg this fall.

I found MCC's faculty for the pre-req/co-req classes to be great -- I'm sure everyone's experiences differ -- but my view is you are buying your education, and it's a HUGE investment of money toward your future. It pays to be an informed "shopper" -- use ratemyprofessor.com to look up the instructors' names and get an idea of others' experiences in their classes...also, ask your friends who attend there for recommendations on solid instructors. I did both, and I can honestly say I had no bad experiences there. I'm currently taking Micro there, and most of my classmates are in the actual Nursing program and speak highly of it. The one thing i will say if you attend MCC, is register the first day the online system opens up -- and grab seats in the sections of the Profs you want as early as possible -- the good ones close extremely quick -- like the first day in some cases :D

My situation worked out that Muhlenberg was a better fit schedule-wise, and I'm very encouraged by what I've heard from those who graduated there, as well as from walking around their facilities and classrooms.

In terms of MCC's program -- there is NO waitlist -- one of the members of their nursing admission committee confirmed that when I applied there. Everyone starts from scratch each year when they apply. However, they do get around 900-1100 apps each year for just over 100 seats. Many are eliminated for not meeting all the application requirements, but it's still extremely competitive for admissions. Additionally, this year they are going to again revise the minimum requirements to get in -- previously only a C was required in your most recent lab based Bio and Chem -- next year that will be a B minimum to even qualify to apply.

My personal view is that both programs are good, and will give you the knowledge for the board exams... so go with what makes sense for your personal situation :) Hope that helps!

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@ WorkingClassDog...

I have a question for you...If all things were created equal, and MCC offered the same hours for our Nursing courses as Muhlenbergs does, as well as lets say the overall price of the program...Which school would you go to? And why?

I'm picking your brain as I am still on the fence...

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@Lee17 - If most of the considerations were the same, I'd probably still pick Muhlenberg. For me, the hopsital you do your clinicals at is a big piece of the experience - and I've heard a few unflattering things about the Raritan Bay clinical experience (from those taking it there, as well as a couple of EMT buddies) as opposed to JFK. Also - commute distance is a big factor for me - and Old Bridge can be a real pain to get to during peak traffic (not that Edison is a picnic)... and as stressful as clinicals will be - I didn't want to add the pressure of a difficult commute to the mix if I could help it.

The other factor that worked in Muhlenberg's favor in my mind, was the fact that JFK/Solaris essentially owns them -- so your chances to have an "in" to work at JFK fresh out of getting your RN are good, if you've made connections and have a good reputation from your training there. With MCC's program, I wasn't hearing the same kind of feedback in terms of getting a job at Raritan Bay. Of course nothing is rock solid guaranteed, but these days any advantage you have is a good thing ;)

Good luck with your decision!

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Had interview today, turns out the class for fall 2011 is full and if someone declines their seat then perhaps I have a chance of being accepted. They loved my academics, and teas score and wanted to meet with me they said I'm "not not accepted and that Fall 2012 there would be a seat for me". I am extremely discouraged and hope that a seat turns up for me I need to stay positive. Thank you everyone for your help and best of luck on your journeys.

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@ Mandi I am so sorry you did not get in this time, but keep the faith as this is just a minor setback. Have you applied to any other schools?

@ WorkingClassDog...I agree somewhat with what your saying as for the commute and Raritan Bay.But MCC also does Clinicals at Robert Wood, JFK, Perth Amboy & Old Bridge...not sure if you knew that. The thing that MCC has in it's favor as for clinicals is that they are working with some MAGNATE designated hospitals, which JFK is not...But it all boils down to how good your instructers are and how well you do.Not sure if the fact that JFK is affiliated with the program will ultimately make a difference on job prospects, but it couldn't hurt...I know that MCC has a 97.44% NCLEX pass rate as of 2010...Have been unable to find current stats. for Muhlenberg. They were listed in 2007 at 90.67.

As for Muhlenberg, which lecture time are you currently signed up with Nurm119...I am enrolled in the Weds. evening..5-8pm I believe with Thurs. 2-3pm clinicals.You just need to look for someone old enough to be your mom,lol...

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