Feedback on Middlesex County College / Raritan Bay Med Ctr nursing program

Bell13, ASN · Mar 10, 2010

Well I applied for the Fall 2010 program and waiting to hear back from MCC (announcements are in mid-April). A year of prereqs are a good idea especially if you have been out of school for a few years. You can always meet with an advisor as a walk-in and they can tell you what you should take. Chemistry (I believe is good for 10 years) and Biology is 5 years. All the information is available online so you can def print it out from there. They also require you to take the TEAS test but from my understanding they look at your TEAS scores, overall GPA, and some other factors. Muhlenberg is also taking applications for Fall and Spring 2011 so you can try them as well. The biggest thing I have heard is that the program is difficult (at both schools) but it's Nursing....I expect some difficulty. Hope this helped. Oh and there is a wait list, that is determined by how many people accept their initial invitation. If people do not accept they turn to the waiting list of potential students. I was told there are approximately 125 spots and over 500 applicants. Good luck!

supersam34 · Jun 12, 2010

I just graduated from the Middlesex County College program and I cannot say enough good things. It was a tough program, but the faculty was extremely supportive. I really felt like they cared and were invested in us. They did a great job of preparing us for NCLEX, thus far everyone I've spoken to has passed in 75 questions. Not only have they made us great test takers, but they truly taught us to function well in a clinical setting. We made BSN students from competing colleges look like they knew nothing!

Bell13, ASN · Jun 13, 2010

wow. thanks for the info supersam. I was accepted into the program so I am super excited, nervous, and anxiously awaiting my first day!

WorkingClassDog · Jul 11, 2010

supersam...

Thanks for the reply! I'm finishing up my pre-reqs over the summer and heading into A&P I this fall -- so far the details I've gotten from people on campus are similar to what you had said, really positive feedback. I'm really excited about app'ing in August -- and hope I get a seat for Fall 2011.

wcd

Tyler77 · Jul 15, 2010

As with any program, it's what you make of it. I don't know how prevalent cliques are in other nursing schools, but this program was a "hotbed" of cliques--if you're not in one, you're considered an outsider. And who says high school drama belongs in high school??? There were the usual students who think they're the know-it-alls, those that challenge the instructors on trivial things, and once again, those that still think they're in high school. And so it goes... Just remember, ALL your lectures are with 70-80+ students: you're placed in the lecture section with a gaggle of students that spend more time texting, arriving to class late ("Oh it was the traffic"), eating smelly food, and complaining about their clinical sites. And these students are going to be taking care of the ill. Sheesh.

For the most part, the full time staff is supportive, although if you have an adjunct clinical instructor--well--I've experienced sub-par ones...instructors that text during clinicals, pick out theeir favorites, you get the idea....

The med.-surg. course was NOTORIOUS as a weeding out class. Over 1/3 of my class flunked out. Questions on exams were pulled out of nowhere. The notes that the instructors prepared were unclear and riddled with errors. And your grade is based JUST on exams--with all the work besides exams, you'd think they'd make it more fair.

Beware of the astronomical tuition. You're paying thousands for "Raritan Bay" tuition, whatever that is. In other words, the nursing program is not "in-house" and is only at the college in presence. Yes, the college receives hundreds of applications for the few spots, and there's always this "secret" formula the college uses by combining your GPA, TEAS scores, and science grades. The college does offer free seminars on how to apply for the health tech. programs at the college, and many rumors are dispelled at these meetings.

Bell13, ASN · Jul 15, 2010

@Tyler...wow. you make the entire program sound so horrible. i hope you passed and were able to 'learn' even though these obstacles were in your way.

WorkingClassDog · Jul 29, 2010

Thanks to both of you who replied about the program -- I noticed a revised listing of qualifications just went into effect this year, along with a raise in the tuition per credit hour. I'm putting my application in on Monday and crossing my fingers :)

wldcard · Aug 3, 2010

I just applied this Sunday as well. Have almost all my prereqs done except A&P 1 and 2, micro, and the second psych class. As long as all goes well, I hope to be able to start in fall 2011 and only have the nursing classes themselves to focus on.

Side question about admissions: does anyone know if having a four year degree helps in their decision? Also, if your GPA is a little low at MCC itself from previous degree work but your GPA from the four year school is much better, which one would weigh more heavily?

Tyler77 · Aug 3, 2010

Please register for the health technologies seminars! They're free! In those sessions, EVERY possible question that you have about the health tech. programs at MCC are answered. You must sign up in advance because each session is limited to about 10 students. A lot of myths, misconceptions are exposed at these meetings. (Fore example, if you have a previous 4 year degree, it doesn't "push you ahead of the line" in front of all the other applicants).

I saw the revised pre-requisites for all the health tech. programs at the college, and all I can say is--WOW! It used to be that you had a 2.0 overall GPA and that you had basic bio. and basic chem. with a "C" or better. I think the college is being more selective because they're always receiving a deluge of aspplications for their health tech. programs.

It's good that you applied early in the game, because if your pre-requisites are done, you'll get first whack at what TEAS test date you can have. (I think they begin in November). And remember, you can only take it once!!

wldcard · Aug 4, 2010

Please register for the health technologies seminars! They're free! In those sessions, EVERY possible question that you have about the health tech. programs at MCC are answered. You must sign up in advance because each session is limited to about 10 students. A lot of myths, misconceptions are exposed at these meetings. (Fore example, if you have a previous 4 year degree, it doesn't "push you ahead of the line" in front of all the other applicants).
I saw the revised pre-requisites for all the health tech. programs at the college, and all I can say is--WOW! It used to be that you had a 2.0 overall GPA and that you had basic bio. and basic chem. with a "C" or better. I think the college is being more selective because they're always receiving a deluge of aspplications for their health tech. programs.
It's good that you applied early in the game, because if your pre-requisites are done, you'll get first whack at what TEAS test date you can have. (I think they begin in November). And remember, you can only take it once!!

I would register for the seminars but I am still stuck in 9-5 corporate hell 5 days a week...... so every time they have a session (which is the same time and day every week I believe) I cannot make it. :mad: Wish I could make them. But then again that's why I am bugging people here. :)

Thanks for the info about the degree, although I am still curious about which GPA they would go by or if they would take both into consideration. I had a rocky start to college many years ago and my GPA at MCC is about a tenth of a point lower than their minimum stated. However, I have the right grades in all the prereqs and I have already confirmed that I don't need to take any more science classes other than the ones I mentioned before.

As for them raising the bar, I am pretty sure that has to do with the fact that they changed the program within the last three years so now they are merged with the Charles E. Gregory nursing school that was at Raritan Bay. MCC took on all their teaching staff to augment their existing department from what I understand. I have a good friend who attended the MCC program prior to 2005 and he went in under the old curriculum and requirements so he had an easier time getting in then I will. That's why I am a little nervous about that GPA of mine..... I have shown a lot of improvement since then in my studies but not sure if they will consider that in their decision.

4me&myboys · Aug 28, 2010

Hi all I just starting at MCC after being out of school for 12 years. I will be trying to work on my Pre reqs so I can apply to the nursing program. but I was told and I know rumors are bad but the lady that I spoke to on the phone when I called MCC said its 125 seats and about 1000 applicants. I was so discouraged when she said you have to keep reapplying. Then I spoke to a friend who went to Brookdale Community College and it was just a 2 year waiting list and you can go on the list while you do your pre reqs. So that sounded so much better to me. but I went to orientation and besides the financial aid dept everyone seemed so friendly and helpful. I'm just so confused because I know it will probably take a while to get my pre reqs finished now I'm nervous it will take years to get accepted in the program once im ready.

sorry for going on and on but I just wanted to see how long it took you to get accepted into the program. I'm super excited to work towards it but that lady made it seem impossible to get accepted.