Essex County College vs. Mountainside Hospital

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Specializes in CTICU/CVICU.

Hi All,

I am a career changer - looking to leave marketing and enter the world of nursing. I have a BA degree already but I don't want to do an accelerated BSN program (due to finances and not being able to work during the accelerated BSN program). So, I was looking to enter Essex County College's evening RN program (where I'm taking A&P I Spring 2009 and then Chemistry over the summer.

However, now I'm looking into Mountainside's diploma program. I believe I'll be able to start Fall 2009 (instead of Spring 2010 at ECC). I'll be able to transfer some of the classes in (or do them before) so hopefully, all I will have to take are the nursing courses:yeah:

So, now I'm trying to decide which one to go for (even though I can apply for both, I guess).

ECC will be considerably cheaper (I believe) but I would start a semester later. I would also get another associates degree at ECC...

I heard that in order to do a diploma - BSN (which I want to get eventually), the diploma at Mountainside would only transfer to NJCU or Fairleigh Dickinson..not cool (even though I would totally go to NJCU).

Has anyone considered going to both and chose one of the other? If so, what prompted you to choose one over the other. I heard both programs are really good..

Any input would be appreciated!!

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If you are going to Mountainside, and take chemistry at ECC, take CHEM103 and not CHEM101. Mountainside does not accept the 101 class from ECC.

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Specializes in CTICU/CVICU.

Yeah..I did hear that..good to know! Thanks!

I haven't decided where I'm going ..just applying everywhere and then I'll take it from there!

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If you already have a BA, you might think of doing an MSN after you get your RN instead of a BSN (it's about 30 credits for the BSN and approx. 40-45 for an MSN, even including "bridge" classes necessary to go to the MSN with an RN, BA). If you do that, it won't matter whether you have an ADN or a diploma.

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Agreed...but I'll have someone else pay for the MSN when I'm done. Tuition reimbursement is only a benefit if you use it!

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Specializes in CTICU/CVICU.
If you already have a BA, you might think of doing an MSN after you get your RN instead of a BSN (it's about 30 credits for the BSN and approx. 40-45 for an MSN, even including "bridge" classes necessary to go to the MSN with an RN, BA). If you do that, it won't matter whether you have an ADN or a diploma.

This is exactly what I'm going to do. I spoke with Mountainside and they said that it's not true that you only have to go to those schools..and they told me to skip the BSN and go right to my MSN.

WorkinTheStreets..you start next week, correct? I start my Anatomy class next week! :yeah:

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83studentnurse can you please explain how to go from having an associates in nursing to a MSN. I already have my BS in bio but I cant quit my job to go into a bridge program right now so I am working and getting my associates in nursing now. How do I skip getting a bsn in it to a MSN?

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Specializes in how to please a woman and make her relax.

i am from Camden college and a male looking to obtain my bsn, new to nursing hope its doable.

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With a non-BSN bachelor's degree and an RN (associates or diploma), many schools will let you take "bridge" courses (maybe 2-3 courses) and then procede to MSN. Some schools let you present a portfolio demonostrating BSN-level competancy instead. The vast majority of MSN programs here in NJ have a bridge program like this, but not all do. Check specifically with each college where you'd be interested in pursuing an MSN. Hope it helps.

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Thanks a lot 83studentnurse. I have been looking up info all day and found out that Seton Hall has this type of bridge program and its like 2 minutes away from where I live so I am excited. You have introduced me to something new because i knew NOTHING about this before and was dreading having to do my RN to BSN the MSN. Now I can go straight through as long as I keep my grades up. You really helped me...Thanks!

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I'm very glad I could help. Unfortunately, Seton Hall has one of the more complicated bridge programs I've seen (you take a set number of "bridge" classes, but you also have to have taken bunch of other undergrad courses that I haven't. I don't remember how many additional credits I'd have to take, but it was something like 20-ish). You can talk to someone in their nursing dept. to get the exact requirements and figure out what courses you'd have to take.

Other programs that offer a bridge are Fairleigh Dickinson (I think it's a nine-credit bridge ... no portfolio or other requirements), William Paterson (no bridge, but you have to have taken stats, assessment and one other course), UMDNJ (they have a bridge course), I think St. Peter's has a bridge and Felician used to, but I heard their nursing program closed (don't know if that's true).

If you decide it's easier to get your BSN than to go through the hoops required by Seton Hall, it's usually only 28-30 undergrad credits if you already have a bachelor's. I know of at least 2 programs that have BSN programs specificially set up for RNs with bachelor's degrees in other fields. Let me know if you're interested in getting those names.

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Thanks for the heads up. I read up on the schools you mentioned and it semms like many of them want you to either already have your BSN or get your BSN while getting your MSN along with GRE. UMDNJ... I am not even sure what it is they are asking for.

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