How hard is it to get into NJ nursing schools (waiting lists??)

froggg123 · Jun 19, 2006

It would probably be easier to get into Rutgers program (just guessing) I have heard recently that Burlington County College is a three year wait (first spots go to Burlington County residents) and Mercer County is a two year wait (again priority goes to Mercer county residents) cant hurt to get on a list where you live you never know where a spot might open.

NJNursing, ASN, RN · Jun 21, 2006

I just graduated from Mercer County College and everything is on a matriculation basis and is closed to out of county residents. I'm sure they do have a waiting list - not sure if it's 2 years.

But really it's the same everywhere. TCNJ also has a waiting list. With the big media push about how much nurses are needed and how well it's paying with great benefits and flexible time. It'll help that you won't have to take repeat courses (as long as your other BS isn't too old) and *if* the new college accepts them. I had a classmate find out the week before graduation that the college wasn't going to take her Anatomy & Physiology's - she still went to pinning and still walked at graduation, got her degree, but the college wouldn't send her info to the NJ BON until she Klepped out of the classes or took them. She did test out, passed and now her ball is rolling, but after 3.5 years, they wait until right before graduation to tell her?

The best way to find out is to call the nursing departments individually (as opposed to admissions) and A) ask them if they have a waiting list and then B) how many transferrable credits they take (most only take about 60). After that then see where you want to apply.

jlrose · Jun 22, 2006

Hi there...:)

I'm not sure where you live, but I just graduated from Bergen Community in Paramus. It is a great program! Many hospitals in the area love Bergen graduates. I applied once and got accepted. I do, however, know of some people who had to apply several times. Before Bergen I tried to get into Rutgers, but wasted my time and not to mention money for 2 years. Bergen is less expensive and still provides a great education. Perhaps having a degree will be beneficial. Apply to a couple schools. Good luck!

ColleenMommyOf4 · Jul 5, 2006

bayonne nursing school doesnt do a waiting list....if u dont get picked then u have to reapply the following year and ur name goes back in the big bucket....i JUST applied in april of 2006 and was accepted for sept 2006

VRN-RN · Jul 14, 2006

well i dont know how hard it is to get into the other schools but i applied to Rutgers when i was a senior in high school and agian to trasfer into their bsn program. i was turned down. i graduated cum laude and top 20% from high school and still turned down. I got accepted to a school in North Jersey Ramapo College and their generic BSN program is affiliated with UMDNJ. well thats who offers it but at Ramapo College. Not a bad school. The only reason why i decided not to go there cuz they only accepted the major courses, the rest were categorized as free electives and i would have to take some of the classes agian becuz they were "related" i guess. and i also got accepted to Drexel U. so i am happy about that. APPLY EARLY to your schools. dont wait. stay on top of everything. later.

rbytsdy · Jul 27, 2006

Well, I can sort of answer my own question now. I officially applied at Raritan Valley. It looked like most other community colleges only accept residents or give residents first slots. Since I have most of the pre-reqs, all I have to do is take A&P I and II and then apply for clinicals. They said that chances are I can start in Fall 2007. It goes by date of admission into the college as long as you have the required gpa. :)

Country PICU · Aug 9, 2006

Try Widener it is just across the Commador Barry bridge on 322. The school it self is on 320 in chester. I am currently at Widener as a part time evening and night student and Love it.

Good Luck

alexillytom · Aug 11, 2006

Unless they've changed their policy since I was admitted, I'm pretty sure Burlington County College doesn't have a waiting list. You have to fill out an intent to enroll form by a set deadline. If you don't get accepted for that semester then you fill out another form, at the appropriate time, for the next semester. Those admitted for the Spring semester are night school nursing students. If admitted for Fall, then you are a day student. The more prereqs you have completed the better your chances. We do have some new high school grads who are taking prereqs and nursing classes at the same time. I initially applied for the evening classes and didn't get accepted. I finished up my prereqs, with the exception of a Micro lab class, and was accepted for the day nursing classes.

Good luck with your studies rbytsdy.

olivedrab · Aug 17, 2006

hi, in another forum, i read the horror stories of having 3-4 year waiting lists and only for 4.0 GPA students!!!

it's very discouraging to read and all of the other info i've found on schools w/o waiting lists are only taking in-staters or as you have posted here, in-county residents.

i mean, really....in four years you could have gone to med school..... *sigh* (and what's that joke about med students graduation with a C average?)

fatfreelife1 · Apr 23, 2010

I had no problem getting into Rutgers Nursing School..The key is to apply to the Rutgers School of Arts & Science in Sept. Then apply to the nursing school the first day they accept applications (usually around Jan 15th) and provide all the documents along with it (in fact get them ahead of time so you'll be ready to mail it with the application on the first day)...And of course have excellent grades (I had a 3.7 GPA)...Don't procrastinate!!!.