what can a new RN look forward to in southern NJ?

nursing04 · Sep 16, 2004

Hello. I haven't started working yet but have been interviewing both in South Jersey and Phila. I have found that the pay is roughly the same in both places, approximately $25/hr. They also give tuition reimbursement and everywhere is different. Anywhere from $0 (virtua) to $15,000 (jefferson). Over the course of one year, or four years. They are all different. I have also found that they all offer pretty extensive training. It doesn't appear that they throw you to the wolves. Everywhere I have interviewed including Virtua, Our lady of Lourdes, Hospital University of PA and Jefferson, they all have preceptor programs and you are trained by an experienced nurse with varied levels of experience. Training is anywhere from 4 weeks to 12 weeks. No, you don't have to do hospital nursing. There is home nursing, doctor's offices, dialysis nursing etc.. Since there is a shortage you are at an advantage and can pretty much start anywhere.

Nursing school is difficult, but I have actually found those students that have children are even more successful and dedicated. I don't have kids, but I think they are good students b/c they are goal-oriented and are so busy that they are great at managing their time. I'm sure you would do great.

NurseDiva08 · Sep 20, 2004

I am still in the pre-nursing student phase. Hoping to start Sept '05. Just wondering what I will have to look forward to after going through what I know is going to be H-LL, lol. For example, what are the starting salaries like? What type of jobs are out there for new grads..are they all hospital floor/staff RNs? When it is your FIRST job out there...are you left to your own devices or do they have you "in-training" with a veteran nurse shadowing you..how does that work?
I am hoping I can get through it. I am in my thirties, 3 kids under the age of 10, husband, working at home....hoping I am not getting in over my head?? On a positive note I am pretty self-disciplined and can allot my time well. With the kids I have no problem in scheduling chunks of quiet time, during the off hours when they are asleep or getting up early before they wake. Heck, I do that now to exercise and work! ...wonder when I will get to do that once the nursing courses start? How much study/assignment time is usually recommended for each nursing course?
Kim

I too am hoping to start my nursing program in Spring of 2005 - and I am in my 30's - just out of curiosity, which school are you going to....I am trying for Helene Fuld because they have an evening program. Unfortunately I still have to work full-time while going to school. What courses are you taking this semester????

Thank you for sharing your story.....

kimber3ks, ASN, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Sep 20, 2004

Hello! I have actually applied to the Helene Fuld program, just sent in my application last week. Also, I am planning on submitting my "portfolio" to Gloucester County College, the deadline is in March 2005.

I am not "technically" taking any class this semester, but I am studying for the ACT test on 10/2 (since I never took an SAT). I just took and passed the NET on 9/11..hooray! It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, thankfully. Also, I am preparing for the Excelsior A&P exam. I had A&P back in '97, but it will be too old if I decide to go to Glouc Cty.

I would prefer to go to Helene Fuld, since I "would not" have to retake A&P, no statistics which I have yet to do, and no humanities elective. BUT, BUT, they are sooo much more expensive than GCC, "3 times as much" to be exact. I am in the position that I do not think I will qualify for financial aid. I actually applied for the 2004-05 year, but was found not eligible. I thought the 3 kids would help, but no luck. I can reapply for the 2005-06 year if income is less and see what happens, but even still I think the Helene Fuld program is out of my reach financially. Even if I wind up at the GCC program, I will most likely have to take a loan, but for much less.

Where are you in the process? Have you sent in your application yet? Which courses are you taking?

Kim

I too am hoping to start my nursing program in Spring of 2005 - and I am in my 30's - just out of curiosity, which school are you going to....I am trying for Helene Fuld because they have an evening program. Unfortunately I still have to work full-time while going to school. What courses are you taking this semester????
Thank you for sharing your story.....

NurseDiva08 · Sep 20, 2004

Hello! I have actually applied to the Helene Fuld program, just sent in my application last week. Also, I am planning on submitting my "portfolio" to Gloucester County College, the deadline is in March 2005.
I am not "technically" taking any class this semester, but I am studying for the ACT test on 10/2 (since I never took an SAT). I just took and passed the NET on 9/11..hooray! It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, thankfully. Also, I am preparing for the Excelsior A&P exam. I had A&P back in '97, but it will be too old if I decide to go to Glouc Cty.
I would prefer to go to Helene Fuld, since I "would not" have to retake A&P, no statistics which I have yet to do, and no humanities elective. BUT, BUT, they are sooo much more expensive than GCC, "3 times as much" to be exact. I am in the position that I do not think I will qualify for financial aid. I actually applied for the 2004-05 year, but was found not eligible. I thought the 3 kids would help, but no luck. I can reapply for the 2005-06 year if income is less and see what happens, but even still I think the Helene Fuld program is out of my reach financially. Even if I wind up at the GCC program, I will most likely have to take a loan, but for much less.
Where are you in the process? Have you sent in your application yet? Which courses are you taking?
Kim

Well to put it in a nutshell and not to be too wordy: I already have my BS in Bus. Admin from Rutgers that I rec'vd in 1993 - but I've always wanted to be in the medical industry. I even work part-time as a medical asst. at a dr'.s office (not certified though).

I am finally taking the plunge, and thankfully, I only have to take API, APII and Micro - so I am taking those classes between now and next fall (taking API now on Sats at Camden County).....I already applied to Helene, and I had my interview w/Helene last Wednesday - it went pretty well and they said that I should get a letter in the mail by mid October-----all portfolios go in front of this committee that meets 2x's a month - and they determine our fate.

I totally forgot about Gloucester County.....is there a waiting list there too?? Oh, yeah.....I have tried to go the BSN/Accelerated route, but all of those programs (like Drexel's Ace) rec. not working at all.....and I def. have to work in order to eat.....lololol.....

kimber3ks, ASN, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Sep 20, 2004

So, how long did it take to hear from Helene Fuld until your interview? (I just received a postcard stating my portfolio was incomplete as they were waiting for my recommendation letters and high school transcript.)

I am not sure if there is a waiting list at Glouc Cty, but I know they have a set deadline and your portfolio has to be COMPLETE...or they do not even open it. I have heard that because there are a limited number of spots and more applicants, it can be difficult to get in, but just like anywhere else I would imagine.

I too already have an AAS degree in Medical laboratory technology and have all of my sciences done and the bulk of the general ed pre-reqs too. I am kind of "up in the air" until I hear from Helene Fuld, see if I can get some sort of scholarship or SOMETHING...I am hoping to have my mind made up by the end of October so I know how to plan for the January semester.

I know what you mean, I HAVE to work too. Lucky enough though to be able to work at home and I am sooooo thankful for that. What area do you live? I am technically in Wash Twp, but really sandwiched right smack between Camden Cty college and Gloucester Cty college, very close to Deptford mall, Blackwood right down the road..it really is a great location, close to everything. What are the ages of your kids? My gang is 10, 5 and 2...never a dull moment. I just don't know how/when I will have the time to study and the whole idea of putting the lil one into daycare/preschool next year stresses me out completely. Thank god I have time!

Kim

Well to put it in a nutshell and not to be too wordy: I already have my BS in Bus. Admin from Rutgers that I rec'vd in 1993 - but I've always wanted to be in the medical industry. I even work part-time as a medical asst. at a dr'.s office (not certified though).
I am finally taking the plunge, and thankfully, I only have to take API, APII and Micro - so I am taking those classes between now and next fall (taking API now on Sats at Camden County).....I already applied to Helene, and I had my interview w/Helene last Wednesday - it went pretty well and they said that I should get a letter in the mail by mid October-----all portfolios go in front of this committee that meets 2x's a month - and they determine our fate.
I totally forgot about Gloucester County.....is there a waiting list there too?? Oh, yeah.....I have tried to go the BSN/Accelerated route, but all of those programs (like Drexel's Ace) rec. not working at all.....and I def. have to work in order to eat.....lololol.....

NurseDiva08 · Sep 21, 2004

hi there....i think there was a problem with my post yesterday b/c i did respond, however, i don't see it now....anywho...i actually applied to helene in june, but b/c the staff wasn't available for interviewing over the summer, i was told that they wouldn't start until september. so you will most likely get an interview within a few days of them receiving the rest of your portfolio.....wouldn't it be funny if we both end up at helene together??

i am single with no children (by choice - but i think it's from seeing what my pregnant teenage girlfriends went through when in was in high school - i must be scarred). i actually was raised in clayton, nj and went to clayton hs (class of 87), so i am pretty familiar with the whole glassboro/deptford area -

and for me....financial aid is a joke - meaning, i get nothing!!! i work in HR at Canon in Burlington, NJ and since I am going to school for nursing, their tuition reimbursement plan doesn't apply to me. that's why i am hoping to find a full-time job in a hospital or other healthcare setting to help - but it's hard to get in some places - especially with my HR background....

oh, and i am taking a cna course that starts tonight (every tues and thurs nite) - i figured this would give me a "feel" for what i am getting myself into...

i apologize in advance for babbling so much and not using proper grammar or punctuation.....hope to hear from you soon!!

Debra

p.s. what kind of work do you do at home?? it's so great that you already completed your sciences and you can focus on all nursing.....

kimber3ks, ASN, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Sep 21, 2004

Hey Debra,

Well I really want to go to Helene Fuld, as there will be less involved for me to do. I would only have to take nursing core course. But I have absolutely NO IDEA how to afford it. Putting a $20K loan on top of my existing debt...just a no-can-do right now. Now Glouc Cty would probably be $7K, a little less scarey for me, lol.

What a bummer that your job won't pick up some of the tuition reimbursement? But, after your CNA course, if you land a job in that capacity, maybe they would be wiling to give some tuition assistance?

I am doing medical transcription at home for a national company. Have been doing it for 2 yrs, right before my youngest daughter was born. I really do consider myself lucky, so many people would kill for this set up I have. I graduated in 1985, many moons ago it seems, lol, so the thought of back to school AGAIN, after all these years and now with the kids and their school/acitvites thrown into the mix....I think I MUST be crazy!

I will let you now how I make out with Helene Fuld. Are you going to the Open House they have scheduled on Sunday, 10/3?? I have it on my calendar to go, to at least check it out. Will talk to you soon.

Kim

hi there....i think there was a problem with my post yesterday b/c i did respond, however, i don't see it now....anywho...i actually applied to helene in june, but b/c the staff wasn't available for interviewing over the summer, i was told that they wouldn't start until september. so you will most likely get an interview within a few days of them receiving the rest of your portfolio.....wouldn't it be funny if we both end up at helene together??
i am single with no children (by choice - but i think it's from seeing what my pregnant teenage girlfriends went through when in was in high school - i must be scarred). i actually was raised in clayton, nj and went to clayton hs (class of 87), so i am pretty familiar with the whole glassboro/deptford area -
and for me....financial aid is a joke - meaning, i get nothing!!! i work in HR at Canon in Burlington, NJ and since I am going to school for nursing, their tuition reimbursement plan doesn't apply to me. that's why i am hoping to find a full-time job in a hospital or other healthcare setting to help - but it's hard to get in some places - especially with my HR background....
oh, and i am taking a cna course that starts tonight (every tues and thurs nite) - i figured this would give me a "feel" for what i am getting myself into...
i apologize in advance for babbling so much and not using proper grammar or punctuation.....hope to hear from you soon!!
Debra
p.s. what kind of work do you do at home?? it's so great that you already completed your sciences and you can focus on all nursing.....