Getting into nursing school in NJ

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Hi there,

I hear these horror stories about waitlists for nursing schools in NJ (did you see the one on the front page of the site?? YIKES!!). I live in central NJ, and I really want to be a nurse. I have an appointment to speak to someone at MCC next Tuesday about their joint program with UMDNJ, and I am just so nervous they will tell me that I'll have to wait a few years to get anywhere. I already have a BA from RU, but it's got nothing to do with nursing (I'm pretty sure-- though I could go to grad school for speech path off this major, but I don't want to).

Anyway, I have so many questions-- maybe some of you can help me.

1. I have a BA, and I saw on Muhlenberg's site that they have an accelerated RN program for people like me with a bachelor's degree. I'm a little wary of accelerated programs-- I want to get the best education I can and the word "accelerated" scares me. Are these programs good? Can I graduate from one and be able to be a great nurse? My friend went through the regular program at Muhlenberg and she said it really prepared her for the real world of nursing, but I am unsure about that whole "accelerated" thing.

2. If there is a chance that I will be on a waitlist, I have a back-up plan to get a Pharm Tech certification this spring to sort of tide me over until I can become a nurse, and so I can work while I'm in school. I will need to probably work a lot (mortgage), and at night (day classes), so this is why I am doing it. My question is- is there anything comparable in pay and training length, but more related to nursing? So that when I am actually in school, I'll have a little bit better understanding of everthing? I really want to be a *good* nurse.

3. For those of you who did MCC's program, were you waitlisted? For how long? I really want to go to school in the fall of '06. Is this too soon for their list?

4. Also for MCC/UMDNJ people, just what do they look for in a potential nursing student candidate? Basically all I have going for me is my BA degree, my strong desire to be a nurse, and the fact that I've been in the shoes of a patient too many times. And I was a lifeguard, but the two rescues I did were just because parent's weren't paying attention to their kids. What can I do to make my application super strong? Are letters of recommendation necessary for their program (they are at Muhlenberg). Well, thanks for reading! I am sorry if these topics have already been addressed-- just point me in the right direction.

Specializes in Orthopedics/Med-Surg, LDRP.

you're right, I checked - Thomas Edison is an RN-BNS program. I didn't know.

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Raritan Valley Community College only takes Somerset/Hunterton county residents. So if you live in Middlesex County, then Raritan Valley won't even let you apply. That's what I was told when I called and I believe it is on their website.

Middlesex County Comm. College does take students from other counties for their nursing program. So if you live in Middlesex County, you are up against more students that the other local community colleges for that reason.

The accelerated Muhlenberg program would be a good option for you. Best of luck in applying to all of your programs.

MCC isn't taking out of county nursing students anymore because of the volume of applicants, and the Pharm tech program at RVCC is with the corporate & continuing education department and they will take out of county people. Sadly, I can't do the accelerated program at Muhlenberg- I still need to work to pay the mortgage. Good thing I don't have kids, eh?

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Antsypansy,

Did you go to MCCC today? Is that where you found out that they are not taking out-of-county residents? That is good news for us residents. Last I heard (at the Sept. informational session), they still were taking out-of-county residents.

So, will you be applying to other schools?

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Yep, I went-- I was misinformed. I read the article on NJ nurses on the front pages of this site-- it told me that MCC doesn't take out-of-county students, but the truth is that they *strongly* prefer in-county residents. In other words, in-county residents have a strong advantage over out-of-county residents. But I was told if there is an exceptionally strong out-of-county applicant who has a superior GPA and NLN test score, they would probably get in. I was also told that hundreds may apply, but definitely not all are qualified. Like, they might just be thinking about nursing, but they don't have the math req's down. Something like that.And, she said that about 15 deny their position, so they will take the next on the list. If you're #51 on the list, you just might get in. People deny because maybe they found out they got into their #1 school, and used MCC as their safety. So it was pretty good. I found out that I would only have to take the 2 Anatomy & Physiology classes in addition to the nursing ones. No humanites or psych or sociology or English for me anymore!! Already did that!!!! Still need to take their nutrition class, too. I might actually finish in 2 years even going part-time, wheeeeeeeeee. That is, if I get in... hahahaha. I started studying for the NLN exam (there's a practice book in their bookstore you can buy).

Oh, I'm still applying to Muhlenberg. I hate begging for a recommendation letter. One down and 2 to go...

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Nobody think about ECC? It is a very good program. It does not preference of in-county residents over out-counties.

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Does anyone know when MCC's pre-nursing exam actually is? I'd like to make a study timeline. I called today and the lady in charge of admissions told me they don't give out that info over the phone.

Actually, I don't even think she was paying attention to what I was asking, because that was a really strange answer, right? And then she assumed that I hadn't already applied to the nursing program and I had to tell her that I did. (She was also pretty rude in her answer, which really bothered me).

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I am confused as to whether when people say MCC here they are talking about Middlesex or Mercer County College.

Anyway, at least for MIddlesex, I got a packet like a month ago about the NLN exam. First I had to send in a form with a registration fee and my info. Then, after 10 days, you are supposed to call their testing center and schedule a test with them. I called last week, and my test date is in February. The testing lady said people will prob. be taking them well into the spring.

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I am confused as to whether when people say MCC here they are talking about Middlesex or Mercer County College.

Anyway, at least for MIddlesex, I got a packet like a month ago about the NLN exam. First I had to send in a form with a registration fee and my info. Then, after 10 days, you are supposed to call their testing center and schedule a test with them. I called last week, and my test date is in February. The testing lady said people will prob. be taking them well into the spring.

Oops- sorry, I did mean Middlesex. Thank you for the info-- I wish the lady was able to tell me that!

Good luck on your test. :D

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