fnimat1

Hello everyone, I am also interested in an answer to the first poster. I want to become a neonatal nurse practitioner. How much experience should I seek after I finish my BSN program? Or should I just start my MSN program right after? Fatima "Waving from Seton Hall"

Hi Rookierunner9, I have a little advice...being that you have your Bachelor's in Psych.......have you considered an accelerated program. I just transferred to Seton Hall this semester and I have met many people who have degrees already....don't get me wrong, I've been told that the accelerated program is very intense (as are all nursing programs) but triple that because it's a 18 month program. Some colleges/unversities accelerated program are up to 24 months. Hope this helps. Fatima "I'm going to be a nurse....I'm going to be a nurse......I know I can...I know I can!!"

Hello everyone, Well, it's official....I start Seton Hall University in the Fall as a pre-science major. If I do really well, and earn a 3.0 gpa this semester...I'll be accepted into the nursing program. I have a lot of questions about SHU's nursing program....are there currently any SHU nursing students out there...if you are please post. Fatima

Oh, and I forgot to mention...I applied to UCC/Trinitas a year and a half ago, and here they are inviting me into the program. Fatima

Hello everyone, I haven't posted in awhile, so it's good to be back. I just received a letter from UCC/Trinitas, and they invited me to start NURE 130 for the fall. The letter had 4 sessions that NURE 130 is being offered. I had to send them a reply e-mail telling them my preference of section choice. The sections are as follows: Tuesday & Thursday 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Monday 6:00 - 10:00 p.m. Thursday 6:00 - 10:00 p.m. Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. I have to check on a website in a couple of weeks to see if I made it. I am keeping them as a backup choice. I was accepted to Seton Hall's pre-nursing program. I'm having second thoughts about it though. A woman called me today from SHU..she said she was my transfer advisor (I"m transferring from Bloomfield College) anyway....she said to me, "you do know that your chances of getting accepted to the nursing program are slim"...I replied, "what, why is that?" and she went on with some bull... Anyway I"m going on Thursday, to speak to a nursing advisor. Fatima "Destined to become a R.N. and N.N.P"

IMHO, I say get in a study group. I started my first semester of nursing school in the Fall of 2004. I have always been a loner when it came to studying, so I figured I could do it on my own. As the semester went on, I realized that I did need to get into a study group....but I still continued to think that I could make it on my own. I made it to the end of the semester but didn't make it by 2 points.....2 little points. So, the moral to my story....study groups are the way to go, especially if you find people that have similiar study habits. I do remember my clinical instructor telling us to never have more than 4 people in a study group....and never be afraid to give someone the "nursing clog"...if they aren't keeping up their end of the group. Hope this helps. I will be making a second attempt at nursing school next month...it's a BSN program though....I will definitely look for other students to join my study group. Hope this helps, Fatima

I say do wha's best for your career goals. Education is priceless....and so are the lives of the people that you will be caring for. I will be starting a BSN program in August (my second attempt at nursing school). Initially I was in a A.S. program, after being in it for one semester and being exposed to the workload...getting a BSN is definitely the right choice for me. It's not as condensed as an A.S. nursing program, and it will put me a step closer to starting my master's program and becoming a neo-natal nurse practitioner. If your career goals require that you strive for a BSN.....then go for it and don't let anyone stop you....if you are thoroughly content with getting an ADN....then go for it....it's totally up to you. Fatima "RN sometime in the near future"

I'm starting at Bloomfield College in the Fall. I won't start the nursing program until Fall 2006...that is if I pass the NLN. My counselor told me that it covers all courses. I am going to purchase a book to study from. Fatima

Really, only 60%. Could you send me the link to the NJBON website. Thanks. Fatima

I failed my first semester by 2 points and my community college doesn't give you a second chance to start over. This is really ridiculous...but that's okay. This experience has given me more drive and perserverance in my career goals of becoming a registered nurse and eventually a neonatal nurse practitioner. I am now applying to 4 yr. universities that do give you a second and even third chance to pass nursing 1. I wasn't accepted to any schools for Fall 2005....so I have to wait an entire year to be accepted into a nursing program. Fatima

I applied to Bloomfield College, Mountainside Hospital School of Nursing, and Rutgers. I didn't get accepted to Rutgers, and Mountainside had already accepted their desired amount of applicants. I did do very well on the NET, and they told me that I would be accepted to the school with my test scores. They are going to be interviewing again in the Fall of 2005. (so I'll have them as a backup). Bloomfield College told me that I won't be accepted for this year, but I would definitely be accepted for Fall 2006. The thing is I like Bloomfield College, but I'm not sure if it's the school for me...it's very, very small. I have also been hearing great things about Seton Hall and William Paterson University's nursing programs. I decided to start the paperwork, for each school. Are there any Seton Hall or William Paterson nursing students out there???? Fatima

I hear ya, I have been thinking that I should still shoot for Rutgers. If I get accepted into the Newark College of Arts and Sciences and complete 24 credits, finish with a gpa of 3.4 or higher, I could do a college to college transfer. Then maybe I'll get accepted. . I also went to Bloomfield College's open house. I was impressed that it was a very small college and you get a lot of one on one attention. We talked to the chairperson of the college and I asked her about the NCLEX passing rate of the class of 2004. And she said, "Well to be honest, they didn't do very well the first time around, but I've been in contact with many of them and they did pass it on the first try." I did not like hearing that, this school cost over $13,000 a year. I don't know. I guess I'll figure it out. Fatima

Hi, Thanks for the words of encouragement. I did complete my application online. I have to send for my transcripts from ECC and high school. I hope I get accepted somewhere..... . Fatima

and visited the College of Nursing. There were two information sessions...one was about the college of nursing and it's curriculum...the other was a tour of the nursing skills lab. I was very impressed by what I heard, I had hoped I would be admitted. I'm transferring from Essex County College (I did complete my first semester of the nursing program in the Fall of 2004...but I didn't make it to semester 2 by 2 measly points.... ). Anywho, the facilitator of the information session told us that they only accept 30 freshman applicants and 30 transfer applicants.... . Also that they only look at applicants who have a 3.4 gpa or higher....what the heck...I never saw anything on the website about having a 3.4 gpa. I was soooo dissappointed....well...back to the drawing board. I did apply to Mountainside and Bloomfield College. I've been thinking about applying to Seton Hall University also. I was accepted to the Trinitas School of Nursing but I have to wait to be invited to NURE 130....meaning they want you to take a few courses at UCC before they admit you. ""Sorry everyone...just wanted to vent"" Fatima

Congratulations!!!!! That's wonderful news.... . While you're going through the program....always say to yourself, "I'm going to be an R.N....I"m going to be an R.N.!!!" Fatima

I went and bought my 300 pg. syllabus yesterday.... , and the booklist was included....I have to purchase 15 books that are required and I would like to purchase 3 more books that may be helpful... Fatima

I won't know how many books that I'll have to purchase until I buy my syllabus on Monday....the booklist is in the syllabus....everybody is trying to make money.... :stone. We were told to expect to spend a minimum of $800 and that most of the books will be utilized throughout the 2 yrs...which is a good think. My professor did tell us the titles of the 3 of the books that we will not need until Spring 2005....one of the books cost $159 Fatima

After admiring it and shedding a few tears, I'm going to get a copy of it and put it in my scrapbook. Then I'm going to put half of it in my 2 accounts that I'm going to start....my "rainy day" account and my "hubby and me" account. I'll probably do something special for myself, dh and the kids....if there is any left, I'll probably take my parents out to a dinner and show. Fatima

Thank you sooo much!!!! Fatima

I've been searching the internet ever since I Kelly started this thread...Thanks Kelly!!!! :) I've narrowed it down to 3, the "Jocelyn or Jette" by Dansko or "Tulip" by Rocker.....I would like to try them on so I've been searching for any shoe stores that sell them. If not, I'm just going to have to order online try them on and if they don't work, send them back. Fatima

Lisa, I think you'll do great. I have to admit that I have cried twice already and I don't start school until Sept. 7th..... . I don't know why either....maybe it's just nerve and anxiety. But just try to relax, I"m sure everything is in order, eat a good breakfast and know that at the end of this you'll be a great nurse. Hugs, Fatima P.S. Don't forget to tell us how everything goes tomorrow

Kelly, I saw the Dansko "Jocelyn" shoes on Zappos.com...did you have to order your shoes one size up....a few of the reviewers say they had to do this. Fatima

That's great!!!! I've been thinking about getting Dansko nursing shoes also...white sneakers are not allowed... . I hope they make my feet feel comfortable also...are they compatible with orthotics. I had foot surgery 6 wks. ago and my podiatrist recommended I wear New Balance sneakers with the orthotics. I wonder if my clinical instructor will allow that also....hmmm Fatima

Today I attended the 1st of our 3 day orientation at Essex County College. "Your graduation date is May 16, 2006!!!"...This is what our instructor kept telling up sporadically during our orientation today!!!!. There was so much information to take in, absorb, write down....I feel a little overwhelmed, but nontheless I am very excited and ready to take on the challenge. My CC accepted 95 people for Fall 2004 out of 400+ applicants....according to my instructor we are among the elite...we are the best that our CC has to offer. I have to admit it felt good to hear... . One of the highlights of our day was we changed our curriculum codes together. She passed out the curriculum code sheets and we officially went from pre-nursing to nursing majors....it felt so good.... We have a 300 page syllabus that we have to purchase for $15, inside the syllabus is our book list. I was happy to hear that most of the books that we purchase will be utilized through most of our 2 yr. program....which is absolutely great!!!! I met a lot of people, there were almost as much of men as there were women...which I was glad to see. I was able to get a great schedule...I'm taking my first nursing course, Micro, Medical Calculations and aerobics....I hope I don't pass out....lol...I had to take it to meet my 12 credit requirement to recieve my entire Pell Grant. I also ordered 2 sets of uniforms, they weren't as bad as I thought that they would look. We have to wear white jacket w/school emblem (it's hunter green and white) and hunter green shirt...the fabric is very scratchy feeling though, I'm going to have to find something to soften the fabric a bit. All in all it was a trying day.....the lines, etc. But I'm really looking forward to nursing school. I have to get really, really, really organized. With a dh and 4 children, it's going to be really trying, I can do it.... I'm graduating May 16, 2006!!!! Fatima

Hello everyone, My name is Fatima and I'm a 31 year old wife and mother to 4 children (10, 8, 3 and 18mths.). I will be starting my nursing program in the Fall and will graduate in 2006. My dh and I are seriously considering moving to North Carolina in the next 3 to 4 years. We have been researching Charlotte? How are the universities there? (I plan on transferring to earn my BSN/MSN and becoming a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner) How are the school systems? Thank you in advance. :) Fatima