Applying to Mountainside Hospital School of Nursing?

Lovelymo79 · Mar 30, 2011

Actually, nancy...the TEAS is a new thing! My class was the last class that took the NET. I guess they decided to change the entrance exam. Sorry that I don't have any info on it but I'm sure you can find something on here about it.

RnM...you are absolutely right. I specifically CHOSE MHSON because of the clinical preparation I knew I was going to get. I have a BA in another degree and just need to take an RN-BSN course..which I can take online and receive my BSN in less than a year..no biggie for me.

One difference I do know..when they decided to close the school...a LOT of the teachers left..many who were the heart of MHSON. A few did stay but some of my favorites left. Luckily, Mrs. * is still there, and I know with her still on top of things, MHSON will still resemble the same. The only difference will be the teaching styles of the some of the teachers.

nancy_s · Mar 30, 2011

RNm21 & Lovelymo79 thank you both for the helpful insight! I am applying to a bunch of schools and have to take the TEAS at Muhlenberg April 26. I am waiting to hear back from Mountainside to take the TEAS.

Wish you both the best luck and hapiness in your journeys.

Lovelymo79 · Mar 30, 2011

No problem!! Good luck and definitely keep me posted on where you decided to go! :)

onedayanurse · Apr 2, 2011

Hi Everyone, I also just applied to Mountainside. I went to see Ms. * two weeks ago she is so nice, however, she told me that they didn't look at the highest scores. She said that they look at the person as a whole. I have been out of school for 18 years went back to the Community College for my pre-reqs and doing very well but this test kinda scares me. I can't tell you why but it does. If anyone has taken it I would love some feedback. Also, she said that they will be testing in the month of April and they would like to make their by the begining of May. Has anyone heard the same? :nurse:

AndiRN13 · Apr 4, 2011

Hey I was wondering if your currently at Mountainside? I start in the Fall this year and I would love to hear your thoughts or any advice you may have. :) What RNNewJersey said about the grading system really does scare the hell outta me. Do you feel like there is support from your instructors there? I have been told at Caldwell which is where I am now that there was a pathology class that most everyone failed and they needed to hire a new instructor for the class. It's things like this that keep me up at night!

I worked so hard to get there I would be crushed to not make it. Any thoughts you or anyone may have would be so appreciated! -A

onedayanurse · Apr 4, 2011

Hi, just wondering did you already get accepted because your going for your BSN through Caldwell? Ms. * had told me that they would not be making decisions until May... Has anyone else received an acceptance letter? I'm really hoping to get in for September...

AndiRN13 · Apr 4, 2011

Yup I'm going for my BSN through Caldwell the schools run the application process independent of one another.

Keep my fingers crossed for ya!

Lovelymo79 · Apr 4, 2011

Hey I was wondering if your currently at Mountainside? I start in the Fall this year and I would love to hear your thoughts or any advice you may have. :) What RNNewJersey said about the grading system really does scare the hell outta me. Do you feel like there is support from your instructors there? I have been told at Caldwell which is where I am now that there was a pathology class that most everyone failed and they needed to hire a new instructor for the class. It's things like this that keep me up at night!
I worked so hard to get there I would be crushed to not make it. Any thoughts you or anyone may have would be so appreciated! -A

Andi, yup...I go to Mountainside now and I'll graduate this June. I see in your other post that you're in the BSN program at Caldwell. Not only do the application process run independent of each other, they are two SEPARATE schools. You won't be starting Mountainside..you'll be starting Caldwell -- within the same building but 2 different programs.

The grading system that RNNewJersey was talking about is for MOUNTAINSIDE, not Caldwell. Caldwell College has it's own grading system that applies to the nursing portion. It definitely isn't as strict.

I have no idea about the pathology class because again, that's CALDWELL. Mountainside is a diploma school -- there is no pathology class. We're more focused on clinicals. So, I have no idea on who taught that class or will be teaching it. The schools DO share the same teachers since a lot of the great Mountainside professors left once we heard it was closing and so they had to replace some of the teachers with Caldwell professors but I've only had 2 new teachers. And they taught Mountainside material, not Caldwell. The classes are totally different because again, 2 different programs.

My suggestion to you would be to talk to Caldwell students that are in the program. Sorry I couldn't be much help:)

Lovelymo79 · Apr 4, 2011

Hi Everyone, I also just applied to Mountainside. I went to see Ms. * two weeks ago she is so nice, however, she told me that they didn't look at the highest scores. She said that they look at the person as a whole. I have been out of school for 18 years went back to the Community College for my pre-reqs and doing very well but this test kinda scares me. I can't tell you why but it does. If anyone has taken it I would love some feedback. Also, she said that they will be testing in the month of April and they would like to make their by the begining of May. Has anyone heard the same?

Not sure what they are doing this year but last year, the Caldwell students weren't interviewed by the faculty. If you're applying for Mountainside, you will be interviewed. THAT'S where you can really stand out among the crowd. You will get interviewed after you take the entrance exam but that's where you can really shine and let them see you as a whole, not just as a score.

We didn't take the TEAS so I can't help you there but I'm sure you can find lots of info on this forum, as well as on the internet.

AndiRN13 · Apr 4, 2011

Thanks Lovelymo79 that was helpful. :) I had no idea that they were two totally separate programs.

According Caldwell's "Nursing Club" the grading policy is the same as Mountainsides. :eek: eek. I'm going to need a continuous supply of TUMS to get through what lies ahead! Thanks again for your help!

Lovelymo79 · Apr 4, 2011

What Caldwell "Nursing Club"? It wasn't this year and I doubt they changed it. Check with Mrs * because the Caldwell students were in amazement of our nursing grading system. I highly doubt they changed it, though. You will be graded under Caldwell's grading system because you're under their school system. If they were the same, there would have been a lot less students from Caldwell returning this year.

AndiRN13 · Apr 4, 2011

They just started this Nursing Club I was told:

"The club will give nursing students visible identity, sense of belonging to Caldwell College particularly when 3rd and 4th year they spend most of their time at the Hospital. We can deseminate information much coherently as a group than as an individual."

the giving of "coherent information" seems to still be a miss. lol

In the first meeting the students were told that the grading processes was different because "you wouldn't want a nurse who only kind of got it to be your nurse" This was from a current nursing student.

I have not idea what to expect because Caldwell has yet to really provide us with any solid information. That's why I reached out here.

To be honest it's been pretty frustrating over at Caldwell. It seems as if no one ether know what is up or they are just not telling us.