secondcareergal

Sorry - I have not been on this website in quite a while. I did find a job as a school nurse. I applied and was accepted as a full-time school nurse. I am now in school for my Nurse Certification at NJCU. The job market is tough right now, but I have a feeling that it will not be that way forever. If you are just starting out in school, try to get a part time job or volunteer at a hospital. Get your name known while you are in school so that you may apply to that hospital when you are in your senior semester for a job. If they know your name, you are much more likely to get a job. Good Luck!!!

MercerMom - I am also a NJ grad with license and I have submitted hundreds of resumes, applied for jobs online and attended career fairs to no avail. I have not had one interview offer. Do you have any suggestions for me? What career fairs did you attend that you received offers from? I have my BSN and my grade point average is 3.45 and I am a member of Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society. I don't know what else to do in order to get someone to even talk to me about a position - any advice would be much appreciated. Thank you.:typing

Hi all. I was diagnosed with MS in 1998. I have been taking Avonex and have been very lucky. A good Neurologist is very important. Also, join your local MS Chapter. My MS Chapter has been excellent and provided me with so much information. I just switched careers and graduated from an accelerated program with my BSN. I don't have a position as of yet, but while in clinicals, I was lucky and suffered few problems. My biggest problems with the MS have been the fatigue and heat. While some things can be challenging, I do not look at it as having a disability. I will work with the abilities that I have and make the best of it. Kudos to all who work in nursing and have a chronic disease. For all those who have problems taking their injections, my solution to this problem has been to ice the area before the injection, then I don't feel it. I have found this effective as I have been doing it for many years. I wish long happy careers to all those suffering with any chronic disease.

Hi everyone. I am hoping someone can help me. I am a recent BSN graduate with her newly issued NJ nursing license. I have applied online at every hospital I can think of; I have gone in person and filled out more applications than I can remember. Everytime I ask if there is someone (a recruiter) I can speak with, I am told no - you have to leave your application and if someone is interested, they will call you back. I would gladly call these recruiters for a job, if I could get a name, but that is not happening for me. Any suggestions? Should I look to apply for a NY License in the meantime and start looking in NYC? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

JAG815: I have a BA in Biology and finished an acclerated BSN program in May 2008. I received my nursing license at the end of July 2008 and have not gotten a position yet. It is very difficult to get in to see any of the nurse recruiters in NJ. So, if I had to do it again, I would probably do either Associates or Diploma program to get the experience at the hospital that would help me land a job quicker.

For me, time was a factor. I could afford to quit my job for one year, but not much more, so that was my deciding factor. If time is not an issue, then you may want to go with a more traditional program. NJCU is good, but with everything being so accelerated, there are things we did not get, like information about intern/extern positions; any job placement help; they do a course that includes resumes, but it is not like the more traditional programs that have the contacts with the nurse recruiters. You may want to keep that in the back of your head. Whichever program you choose - much success in the future.:)

If you were accepted somewhere else, I would compare the two programs. NJCU can be a sink or swim program. Does the time you finish to get your degree make a difference? The 12 month program is very fast and you will be living and breathing this program for the next year. I hope that this was somewhat of a help to you.

Hi rgirl - I am a former student of the accelerated program at NJCU. The clinicals give you some exposure, but my opinion is that until you do it 100 times, you don't own the skill. The professors are pretty good, but if you want tutoring, you will have to speak to the professor of the class in question directly. If you don't ask, you won't hear anything about tutoring. Good Luck in the program.

Hi all. I have been checking these boards all through nursing school, and finally decided to join. Graduated May '08 and passed boards July '08. I am looking for my first RN position at a hospital in northern nj. I have filled out many applications and it seems most things are done online with no contact with recruiters. Anyone have any advice for me? In my past career, it never took this long to get a job and things were done much differently (not totally online with no personal contact). Any advice would be most welcome. Thank you.:typing

You really don't have much time between studying, etc. If you absolutely need to work, I would suggest a weekend day. Remember, it is alot of material in a short amount of time. Good Luck.

Hi all. I have been checking these boards all through nursing school. Graduated May '08 and passed boards July '08. I am looking for my first RN position at a hospital in northern nj. I have filled out many applications and it seems most things are done online with no contact with recruiters. Anyone have any advice for me? In my past career, it never took this long to get a job and things were done much differently (not totally online with no personal contact). Any advice would be most welcome. Thank you.:typing

Kaylah18 - NJCU took 45 students (approx.) at the NJCU Campus in Jersey City. I think they probably took the same amount at the Communiversity. Good Luck and Hope you get in.

Hi Joanne82 - I graduated from NJCU's Accerated Program May 2008. I took my Boards and passed. Now I am having difficulty finding an RN position. I don't know if the market in northern nj is glutted or not. But I keep trying. My advice to you if you get in the program is to be sure you stay on top of everything. My class had a bumpy experience, but probably because we were the first class through the program. As far as what GPA's and such, there is no rhyme or reason to it. I will keep my fingers crossed for you.:)