melly06

After doing a lot of research, reading this board, figuring out financial scenarios, I have decided that I will not go to nursing school after all. I have decided that it's really not for me and the flexible hours is not a good reason to choose it as a career. I will not be able to stay home with my kids during the day - I'll have to get a job 9-5 as I have now, however, we will not be financially strapped or in debt 60k after nursing school. I appreciate all of your input. This board helped me tremendously in making this decision.

In your experience, what have you found to be the most common reason(s) why people do not make it through nursing school? I hear that out of the initial class of 130, only about 22 will actually graduate. I'm trying to prepare myself - I start school this fall. Thanks in advance! Melly

I'm pretty sure none of the nur classes are offered during summer. I'm sure the clinical classes are not offered during summer.

Fatima, Thanks for the info. I just called to check up on the waiting list (and to see what the deal is) for nur 130 and the person I spoke with said that everyone on the list would get a call in July to tell us whether or not they opened up a new session. When you called, did you ask to be put on the list? Is that when they said there is no longer a list? I kind of hope that registration doesn't go online next semester, just for the simple fact that it is easier to stand in line and KNOW that you are among the first in line to register for the class than to try to register online when the website keeps crashing because so many people are trying to register for nur 130 at the same time. I think there would be a higher chance for problems to come up if registration goes online, especially for the first semester. I'll probably still go in person to register.

Thank you. Unfortunately my first semester does not include a nursing class since I was unable to get into nur 130. I don't think clinical classes begin until you reach nur 132. That's fine, since I need to get chem and anatomy & phys out of the way first, before trying to get a job. Melly

It looks like we are all in the same boat! I, too, am on the waiting list for 130. I was told I'm number 80 or something. This is what I know: This is the first year they have a waiting list, and as of a few weeks ago they did not know exactly what they are going to do with it. Very few slots will open up for fall. They do not want to open another class because it will just have a domino effect: all subsequent nursing classes will have more students trying to get in. When we get to the clinical classes (nur 132, and so on) they can have a max of 10 people in each class. However, there usually isn't a waiting list for those classes because the people in 130 and 131 slowly get "weeded out" by dropping out or not getting a good enough gpa to continue on. It gets worse: if we want to enroll in 130, unless they use the waiting list for enrollment (which I have not heard they plan to as of now) we MUST get to one of the campuses early early -- like about 8:00 pm the night before or earlier. I heard for fall people got there as early as 5:00 pm the day befoe. Once they opened the doors for registration there was some pushing and a riot almost broke out at the Elizabeth and Cranford campuses! I'm not kidding - I heard this from people who were there. They finally convinced the counselors to use a list they started the night before so that no one could cut in line. Anyway, unless they decide to use the waiting list to enroll people for 130, I plan on camping out the night before. I wouldn't mind getting to know someone else who intends to do so ahead of time and we can keep one another company since it will be a long night - and it will also be very cold if they keep us outside (it will be December!) MK

Fatima, Are you planning on attending the June 3 Trinitas Nursing informational event? It is from 5:30-7:00 pm. I plan on attending and hopefully getting the full scoop on how to enroll in 130. If I need to camp out, I will, but I would like to know how early I should be there -- would hate to bet there at 5:00 pm the night before and STILL not get into the class. I agree, the process is very archaic. I am hoping that will change. You can get yourself on the waiting list by calling the nursing dept. Maybe they will decide to enroll the top people on the waiting list for Spr semester? That would be great! Melly06

Thanks for all your advice! You really seem to kn stuow your way around. No suprise you were one of the few remaining students. When do you graduate? And one final question (hopefully -- Given that the op said her two friends stood in line at 12:30 the night before registration and they still didn't get into 130, how early would you get there? Would I have an advantage by registering at the Elizabeth campus? I wonder if they are better staffed/more organized than Cranford. Cranford seemed very understaffed when I registered for my pre-reqs for fall. Thanks again!

Hmmm.... what do your friends plan on doing next semester to try to get in? Begin waiting at 5:00pm the night before? A counselor told me that people started lining up at 5:00pm for fall semester. I think I would go crazy if i waited from midnight until morning and still didn't get in! I think Trinitas is going to have to make admission more competitive and based on GPA, not one's ability to arrive at registration first. Good luck to your friends, and thanks.

I meant "You mean I'll have to camp out for both 130 AND 131?", not 132.

You mean I'll have to camp out for both 130 AND 132? Wow. I want this so bad, I think maybe I'll get there the night before - like midnight or something. Maybe sit in my car until the line begins to form. Geez, it sounds like concert tickets and Ticketmaster! Couldn't they just make it easier by requiring everyone to take their pre-reqs first? Will registering at the Elizabeth campus get you any closer to getting on the list for 130? I registered at the UCC Cranford campus for fall classes. Oh, well. I am also going to apply for next spring semester at Muhlenberg -- the one year program for those who already have a bachelors. I have a BA from U-Wisconsin. The person I spoke with at Muhlenberg told me I would most likely get in as long as I complete the application: 3 letters of reference, an entrance exam, an essay and all transcripts. Wow - I wish I would have had this idea a few years ago - to go to nursing school. It looks like it takes that long to actually get into a program. Thanks again for all the info! Melly06

Thanks for the info. Another couple of questions: - Did you have to "camp out" for NUR 132 and all nursing classes after that? Or is it unecessary as they do not fill up as fast because people have already been "weeded out"? - What, exactly, makes NUR 132 so difficult? - Is there another program that I should consider applying to (such as Muhlenberg) in case I am not able to get into Nur 130 -- I don't want to wait another semester if I don't get in this spring. I am already put back one semester from my original goal. Thanks again -- I have a million questions but these two will have to do for now!

I was admitted into Trinitas, however, when I went to sign up for the NUR 130 class (first nursing class you must take) i discovered it was FULL. I then found out that people waited in line overnight to get into the class! Did anyone run into similar problems when trying to take this class? Any advice for next term? what time should i begin standing in line to take it? This seems to be a strange way to get into a program - whoever has the will to wait out the night outside the door to registration gets in the class! I'll do it if I have to, but it seems bizaare! Melly06

Thanks to all of you who have replied so far. I have accepted that I will no way make a six figure salary I am making now.. but I believe that the flexibility in hours (I know I'll have to work some weekends and holidays) and more time with my kids, as well as job security -- will make up for the salary cut. We looked at our budget and we believe we can make it on a 60% paycut -- right now we pay 18,000 a year just for childcare! That will not be needed once if I can land a job working nights. Melly06

Just wanted to share my situation for those of you who are thinking of changing careers -- you are not alone! I currently work in the IT field and make 108k a year (in NJ). I have a 5 month old baby girl, who I only see for 1.5-2 hrs at night during the week, then on Sat and Sunday. That just isn't enough for me. I have decided to switch careers and become a nurse. I am going back to school in Fall. It should take me 2 1/2 years. If all goes according to plan I will take the boards Dec '06. I have been mulling over being a nurse for some time. The IT job just doesn't satisfy me. Though the $$ is great, I feel that if I have to be away from my daughter I should be doing something more rewarding and fulfilling. I must admit, the flexible hours are a huge draw as well. As a nurse I would work 2-3 nights a week, and be able to spend my days with my daughter -- no daycare necessary! Plus, NJ has lots of opportunities for nurses. I would like another child, but want to make sure I am at least done with my final class before giving birth. They would end up 3 yrs apart, but I don't want to risk not being able to finish school - especially with the investment we will be making (savings runs out after a year - so we are in for loans and any part time work I can get at night to try to make up some of the difference). We have a lot to work out, but I am taking it one semester at a time. I think going back to school to be a nurse takes 100% committment - but the good news is at least in the beginning I'll see more of my daughter going to school (taking Chem and Bio first semester) than I do right now working fulltime and commuting 1.5 hours each way!. Anyone who is in the same boat and would like support or has any questions, feel free to contact me! Melly06