Is Trinitas School Of Nursing

NJGuy5 · Dec 21, 2007

If you want to SUCCESSFULLY complete an RN program, I seriously suggest you attend a different school. I am a current student with way too much invested in Trinitas to change, but I would NEVER recommend this school.

RN20102010 · Jan 1, 2008

I was just wondering what is it that makes Trinitas so bad. Where do you suggest I go to Nursing School. Thanks in advance for the info.

NJGuy5 · Jan 2, 2008

what makes Trinitas so bad, is that they are more interested in maintaining their "first try 100% NCLEX passing rate". Meaning, all their graduates pass the NCLEX on the first attempt. This is fantastic if you are one on the 16 folks who graduate each semester. By the way, each new class starts with aprox 200 students. So, if you do the math, you have less than a 10% chance of successfully completing the program...that's after you spend about $5,000 per semester. To maintain there 100% passing rate, they fail a lot of good students. These are students that would pass in other schools. They are not interested in making good nurses. They are interested in their 100% pass rate. Also, if you fail mid-way, there is no way to transfer the credits you passed. Each nursing school is different, so you if you switch programs, you will have to start all over at the beginning. My adivce is for you to find a program with a better success rate.

FazeRN · Mar 26, 2008

I am a recent graduate of Trinitas School of Nursing (Jan '08). Maybe I can provide you with my insights...

If you want to SUCCESSFULLY complete an RN program, I seriously suggest you attend a different school. I am a current student with way too much invested in Trinitas to change, but I would NEVER recommend this school.

While I don't discourage my friends from attending this school, I do remind them that it is a very rigorous course. I think of it as a crash course into nursing. We don't have pharmacology courses or those public health courses, just one big 6/8/10 credit courses per semester where everything is incorporated. I was still taking my A&P, chemistry, & microbiology going into the first two nursing courses (and also working part time), but by the time I got into the last three classes, my time was purely devouted to them.

As for costs, it's around $5000/semester out of county. If you pass the third nursing class (132) and you're maintaining over 3.0, you're eligible for their Kellogs scholarship (which covered most, if not, all of the nursing tuition and even books--not so much now because people were buying $500 giftcards with them). I didn't even know I got this scholarship until 2 weeks after I paid for the tuition of the fourth class.

I was just wondering what is it that makes Trinitas so bad. Where do you suggest I go to Nursing School. Thanks in advance for the info.

I think I can explain this one. Trinitas has no entrance exam. Everyone and their mothers applied and based on what pre-req's and gpa, they were eventually accepted. Now I breezed through high-school and ranked #4 amongst the graduating class and maintained a ~3.5 GPA for two years at Rutgers, and I can honestly say that these nursing courses are no joke. They kicked my butt. I even lost my full scholarship after I repeated the OB/Peds course. It takes a certain maturity and dedication to do well in these classes. I have much respect to those who have a family, work, and went to Trinitas for school. It really takes maturity and dedication to get through.

I shake my head after two young guys who were in baggy clothes ask me, "is this **** hard?" while waiting on line to register for the first nursing class. Although the first class felt like a history class, half the people failed (out of 250+). I don't wanna make any judgements, but anyone who failed the first non-clinical class didn't belong there. From there on, about a quarter to a third of the class fail. Anyone who got into nursing just for the money were mostly gone after the first clinical course. This is when students start seeing what nursing really is all about. My friend who had a B+ avg in theory exams withdrew because he hated patient care. A lot of people who fail have a bitter taste in their mouth.

what makes Trinitas so bad, is that they are more interested in maintaining their "first try 100% NCLEX passing rate". Meaning, all their graduates pass the NCLEX on the first attempt. This is fantastic if you are one on the 16 folks who graduate each semester. By the way, each new class starts with aprox 200 students. So, if you do the math, you have less than a 10% chance of successfully completing the program...that's after you spend about $5,000 per semester. To maintain there 100% passing rate, they fail a lot of good students. These are students that would pass in other schools. They are not interested in making good nurses. They are interested in their 100% pass rate. Also, if you fail mid-way, there is no way to transfer the credits you passed. Each nursing school is different, so you if you switch programs, you will have to start all over at the beginning. My adivce is for you to find a program with a better success rate.

There's 41 of us who graduated. Not once were we pressured to pass the NCLEX 100% as a class. We were just told that the past couple of graduating classes have 100% passed. And if we failed, so what, study harder take it again. Our school's student nursing association even paid for a Rutgers review to help us study, it wasn't mandatory either.

The program is a tough one without a doubt. They really prepare you. I worked for an externship and the Rutgers seniors and Bloomfield students were amazed at what the Trinitas students knew, and I just finished 132 (3rd class, 2nd clinical) at the time.

The professors have been very supportive. After failing a class and repeating it and still not doing well, my professor scheduled a meeting with me and we had a looong chat. She made me question my career choice and lifestyle. She basically kicked my butt after I revealed that I was a single-no-kids-no-job-living-with-parents student :cry: , but she was supportive still and offered me numbers to counselors and therapists. I owe it all to her that I've made it and am in one of the best careers out there. I should've hugged her and thanked her at graduation if only my family didn't rush me for dinner arrangements. :cry:

That's my :twocents: . I don't frequent this message board often but if you have any questions PM me.

NJGuy5 · Mar 28, 2008

I am a recent graduate of Trinitas School of Nursing (Jan '08). Maybe I can provide you with my insights....

Everybody is certainly entitled to their opinion...

While I don't discourage my friends from attending this school, I do remind them that it is a very rigorous course. I think of it as a crash course into nursing. We don't have pharmacology courses or those public health courses, just one big 6/8/10 credit courses per semester where everything is incorporated.

I discourage all friends, and even strangers, from starting this program. It's not the rigor...any high-level career in health care is and should be rigorous. It's the attitude, unprofessional, uncooperative, unhelpfull, pious, want-you-to-fail, my-way-or-the-highway approach the Dean and faculty display to their students.

I was still taking my A&P, chemistry, & microbiology going into the first two nursing courses (and also working part time), but by the time I got into the last three classes, my time was purely devouted to them.

I agree completely here... You may be able to take other courses, and/or work at the same time as you progress through 130/131/132. However, 231, and especially, 232 will REQUIRE you complete attention and time. The ONLY way to have a reasonable chance at passing is to eliminate the need to take any other classes, AND quit any full-time or part-time job you have. 232 (evenings) will require you to be at school 4 nights/week. You will be in school from 5:30p till 11:30p two of those nights. You will have required work to be submitted the next day. No one at the program will tell you this when you start the program and commit time and money to Trinitas. BE PREPARED TO QUIT YOUR JOB FOR THE FINAL YEAR TO EXPECT TO PASS THIS PROGRAM.

As for costs, it's around $5000/semester out of county.

With all due respect here...I admit that it's ONLY about $4500/semester for in-county residents. The only "break" in-county residents get is the per credit charge from UCC. All of the rest of the fees are paid to Trinitas, and are EXACTLY the same amount of $$$ in-county or out-of-county. I urge you to check other county college costs for their nursing programs. I happen to know that others are about half as much.

If you pass the third nursing class (132) and you're maintaining over 3.0, you're eligible for their Kellogs scholarship (which covered most, if not, all of the nursing tuition and even books--not so much now because people were buying $500 giftcards with them). I didn't even know I got this scholarship until 2 weeks after I paid for the tuition of the fourth class.

This is true. There is a scholarship available for the final two courses. It's not needs-based, it's grades-based. Everyone is eligible. It does cover all college expenses for the final year. You must maintain a 3.0 (overall at UCC), and also NOT have failed any nursing course at Trinitas. Either criteria not met again between 231 and 232 will disqualify you from receiving the money for the final (232) semester.

I think I can explain this one. Trinitas has no entrance exam. Everyone and their mothers applied and based on what pre-req's and gpa, they were eventually accepted. Now I breezed through high-school and ranked #4 amongst the graduating class and maintained a ~3.5 GPA for two years at Rutgers, and I can honestly say that these nursing courses are no joke. They kicked my butt. I even lost my full scholarship after I repeated the OB/Peds course. It takes a certain maturity and dedication to do well in these classes. I have much respect to those who have a family, work, and went to Trinitas for school. It really takes maturity and dedication to get through.

I agree 1000%. These nursing courses are no joke. However, with a little help, kindness, encouragement, coaching, mentoring, etc. from faculty, the program could be A LOT MORE student friendly.

I shake my head after two young guys who were in baggy clothes ask me, "is this **** hard?" while waiting on line to register for the first nursing class.

I'll pass on commenting here...on the trans-generational bias.

Although the first class felt like a history class, half the people failed (out of 250+). I don't wanna make any judgements, but anyone who failed the first non-clinical class didn't belong there. From there on, about a quarter to a third of the class fail.

Exactly my experience as well. I can understand weeding students out during the first and second (and maybe even the third) classes. Some folks try this, and are just not capable of the material. As a potential, future hospital patient, I'm glad only the best make it through. However, it is unfair to students who pass the first three semesters to still be part of the weeding process in the final year. There is far too much time and money commitment that a student has already made to this program to fail at this point. This program's content should be restructured to be fair to students, and the nursing profession. By allowing incapable students to progress too far, it seems that all Trinitas does is take money from students who they know will never pass.

There's 41 of us who graduated. Not once were we pressured to pass the NCLEX 100% as a class. We were just told that the past couple of graduating classes have 100% passed. And if we failed, so what, study harder take it again. Our school's student nursing association even paid for a Rutgers review to help us study, it wasn't mandatory either.

No need to pressure...taking the NCLEX is what you should be there for. Failing students...who may actually pass the NCLEX on second or third attempts (nothing wrong with that) is what I was talking about. The benevolent student nurses association is not what pays for the NCLEX review. These are fees charged by Trinitas when you register for 232. It's part of the $5000 (and I add the same fee for in or out of county residents). I have no problem taking this course, or even being encouraged by Trinitas to take the course. However, this course IS mandatory. I'm open to the fact that this might not have been manditory last semester, but I am certain it is manditory now. Trinitas will not send in your NCLEX paperwork without proof that you attended this review course (that means you cannot take the NCLEX with out taking this course.). And, btw, this review course is aprox. 10 sessions during the day or evening...no weekend sessions, that I'm aware of...

The program is a tough one without a doubt. They really prepare you. I worked for an externship and the Rutgers seniors and Bloomfield students were amazed at what the Trinitas students knew, and I just finished 132 (3rd class, 2nd clinical) at the time.

Unreasonably and unnecessarly tough. I'm not certain you are any better prepared for the real-work nurses do. Ask around, and see if hiring managers at hospitals and other nursing centers think Trinitas students are desirable to hire...

The professors have been very supportive. After failing a class and repeating it and still not doing well, my professor scheduled a meeting with me and we had a looong chat. She made me question my career choice and lifestyle. She basically kicked my butt after I revealed that I was a single-no-kids-no-job-living-with-parents student , but she was supportive still and offered me numbers to counselors and therapists. I owe it all to her that I've made it and am in one of the best careers out there. I should've hugged her and thanked her at graduation if only my family didn't rush me for dinner arrangements.

We clearly went to different schools. It is true that there is the occasional professor that is helpful and wants you to succeed. I have encountered one of two of those myself. However, the vast majority of them do not behave that way...and that behavior flows down starting straight from the Dean.

Trinitas may be the right program for some students. All I do is encourage students to do the research, and compare and contrast the various programs. They are NOT all the same...

RN20102010 · Mar 30, 2008

I am a recent graduate of Trinitas School of Nursing (Jan '08). Maybe I can provide you with my insights...
While I don't discourage my friends from attending this school, I do remind them that it is a very rigorous course. I think of it as a crash course into nursing. We don't have pharmacology courses or those public health courses, just one big 6/8/10 credit courses per semester where everything is incorporated. I was still taking my A&P, chemistry, & microbiology going into the first two nursing courses (and also working part time), but by the time I got into the last three classes, my time was purely devouted to them.
As for costs, it's around $5000/semester out of county. If you pass the third nursing class (132) and you're maintaining over 3.0, you're eligible for their Kellogs scholarship (which covered most, if not, all of the nursing tuition and even books--not so much now because people were buying $500 giftcards with them). I didn't even know I got this scholarship until 2 weeks after I paid for the tuition of the fourth class.
I think I can explain this one. Trinitas has no entrance exam. Everyone and their mothers applied and based on what pre-req's and gpa, they were eventually accepted. Now I breezed through high-school and ranked #4 amongst the graduating class and maintained a ~3.5 GPA for two years at Rutgers, and I can honestly say that these nursing courses are no joke. They kicked my butt. I even lost my full scholarship after I repeated the OB/Peds course. It takes a certain maturity and dedication to do well in these classes. I have much respect to those who have a family, work, and went to Trinitas for school. It really takes maturity and dedication to get through.
I shake my head after two young guys who were in baggy clothes ask me, "is this **** hard?" while waiting on line to register for the first nursing class. Although the first class felt like a history class, half the people failed (out of 250+). I don't wanna make any judgements, but anyone who failed the first non-clinical class didn't belong there. From there on, about a quarter to a third of the class fail. Anyone who got into nursing just for the money were mostly gone after the first clinical course. This is when students start seeing what nursing really is all about. My friend who had a B+ avg in theory exams withdrew because he hated patient care. A lot of people who fail have a bitter taste in their mouth.
There's 41 of us who graduated. Not once were we pressured to pass the NCLEX 100% as a class. We were just told that the past couple of graduating classes have 100% passed. And if we failed, so what, study harder take it again. Our school's student nursing association even paid for a Rutgers review to help us study, it wasn't mandatory either.
The program is a tough one without a doubt. They really prepare you. I worked for an externship and the Rutgers seniors and Bloomfield students were amazed at what the Trinitas students knew, and I just finished 132 (3rd class, 2nd clinical) at the time.
The professors have been very supportive. After failing a class and repeating it and still not doing well, my professor scheduled a meeting with me and we had a looong chat. She made me question my career choice and lifestyle. She basically kicked my butt after I revealed that I was a single-no-kids-no-job-living-with-parents student , but she was supportive still and offered me numbers to counselors and therapists. I owe it all to her that I've made it and am in one of the best careers out there. I should've hugged her and thanked her at graduation if only my family didn't rush me for dinner arrangements.
That's my . I don't frequent this message board often but if you have any questions PM me.

WOW:nuke: thank you for that in depth response and congratulations on your accomplishment. :bow:

I have been waiting for one, just one, person to respomd to my thread and tell me their experience. (one that was not negative)

I am currently in chemistry holding a HIGH A:yeah: right now I will be taking ap1 and psy in the summer:bugeyes:. I did apply to another school in New York b\c it is half the cost, and I know graduates of their Nursing Program. They also have 100% passing rate. I am doing all of my research like previously suggested.

What I do know is any school I go to will be challenging and there will always be something. I truly wish Trinitas wasn't so expensive, but most schools that offer the diploma option in conjunction with a community college are higher priced.

What hospital are you looking to work at?

What does it mean to PM someone I am still new to this.

SteveNNP, MSN, NP · Mar 30, 2008

What does it mean to PM someone I am still new to this.

Click on the member's name that you want to PM, and click on "private message"

bymysoultosqueezeRN · Mar 31, 2008

i have to agree with NJGuy5, even tho i am in 132 and dont have a lot of experience with trinitas school of nursing i can tell you that they DONT care about your time, money and effort. you cannot make it? too bad, instructor was late to the skill lab and you wasted an hour waiting? too bad, you came to the skill lab only to find it closed with a note on the door to re-schedule? too bad, those are all our problems and they certainly dont care about our time. i cannot wait to write the evaluation of the course we write at the end of the semester to give them a piece of my mind :madface:

FNSnatch · Jun 21, 2008

i am currently enrolled for the fall 2008 class.. i've spoken to a few people who have had to work either full time or part time while in class and i've chosen to try and bang out all the academics and/or clep my way in the first year, leaving the second year for 1 nursing class per semester.. i went through the open house they had, asked if this was an acceptable way to proceed, and i was met with no resistance to my choice.. whether this is going to workout right for me or not i can't tell, but at this point in time i have to work fulltime, and am enrolled as a half time student right now.. i was able to change my work schedule to where i work steady overnights as a dispatcher for a local refinery, so it'll give me plenty of time during my 12 hour shift to study w/o much distraction.. i just hope i do not regret this move dedicating everything i have to this course only rto have the bottom drop out... i have one question for the grads that have already taken the nclex, which study guide would you say is the best one to use??

career12 · Jun 22, 2008

Hi everyone, I've been trying to get more info on Trinitas SON. I would like to know how does their point system work as far as getting into nursing 131? Because I was at their website I was reading that they look at how many classes that you took at their school? of course your gpa, and something about +2 if you are an in-state resident (I'll be traveling from nyc)? Does that mean as a transfer student my chances will be slim of getting in if I have all of the pre reques and my gpa is high? What if I only do like 1 class there then try to apply for nursing 131 is that an option that would help? If not, about how many classes would I have to take before I can apply for that class? Because appearently you have to be a current student in courses in order to apply. You can't just apply straight as a tranfer student? I'm confused? If there are any transfer student out there who are also out-of-state residents can you please advise me as what is the best approach to this? I do not want to think ok I'll start the class in spring 09, then do not get to take it. Then I say ok fall 09, and the same thing happens because of the fact that I didn't do enough of my classes with them? Basically I don't want to waste time. Someone please help me out with some advice?:sstrs:

studentkawaii · Nov 1, 2009

Trinitas school of nursing,

hi I am currently in Nursing 131 in trinitas. It was really hard. I think you could make it if you quit your job. Evrything is incorporated in one class. alot of slides and self-study modules. Jeese i didnt know it was going to be like this.12 hours of Lab a week. it wasnt that hard but the instructor sometimes make it hard for you for you especially the prof in the morning class. there is a terror instructor that i know. It was easy to enter the program in trinitas. No entrance exam, no interview. You just have to apply to UCC and get a 2.5 GPA. I regret the time that I go to this school. If trinitas is in your list take it off. I'm on the 2nd semester of nursing and i wasnt doing well. They give you a lot of reference to read. they dont use just one book. they use 2 books plus other articles. If you have a job i dont think this is a best school for you. If you are not passing their 1st and 2nd tests in the beginning of 131 or other class they will advise you to withdraw and tell you that nursing is not for you. I don't like the fact that they dont encourage the students to fight and pass the class. I dont think they care about their sudents. trinitas is a tough school that i know.

I am planning to transfering to Muhlemberg school of nursing. I've heard that their passing is 70 only but you know u just have to deal with the long proccess before you enter the program. they have NET, interview and references. it sounds alot but i think they dont fool their student like trinitas. I want to hear more about mulhemberg too. trinitas has 75% passing grade and they only care about their 100% Nclex passing grade. this is not a good school for everybody.