spencesa76

Well, I can't answer for the others but I had a 3.8 in my first degree and did not have any healthcare experience. I used my professors and a former co-worker as references. I doubt if everyone in the program has a really high GPA. You have to submit an essay and three references with your application. While your GPA is important (and you have excellent grades in all the prerequisites, which is probably what they will focus on), I think that these other things count just as much. Bottom line, you meet the requirements so give it a shot, but definately apply to other schools as well. There were over 500 applicants for this semester and they accepted around 80 people. Also, get your application in as soon as you can so you can be one of the first reviewed.

Nope, nothing yet. Apparantly they go school by school. I called two weeks ago and they said they were starting on the School of Nursing packages. I also called the cashier's office (tuition) and asked when we could expect tuition bills. The lady there said they would be coming out this week. If you read the handbook on the SN webpage, you can supposedly defer payment of tuition until you receive you financial aid (loans). Who knows, its driving me crazy too! Maybe the three of us can start working together and call these places once every couple of hours or so. We can make a schedule and bug them en masse until they beg for mercy and give us some real answers! This is even better. I went to the bookstore this weekend. The SN hasn't even sent the bookstore their list of books for the Fall semester yet. All they had there were some leftovers from the Spring. The owner of the bookstore was a bit aggrivated and when he saw the copy of my course schedule, he asked me if he could make a copy of it. So we can't even get our books yet because they might be different from last Spring! Boy is it going to be expensive too. The foundations of nursing class has nine books alone, two of which were over $75 each, and the rest $30-40 bucks each. From what I could tell the other classes average 2-3 books per class. Don't know about you guys, but I was hoping to hit Barnes and Noble to get most of my books and use my discount card for an extra 10% off. I got answers from Dr. Lapierre at UMDNJ. I will forward the email to your personal email acounts. He says he is going to get me a book list this week. Keep you fingers crossed!

If you have a chance, I would suggest you call around to some local hospitals, or even contact your nursing department at school and see if you can set up an appointment to "shadow" a nurse for a day. I have a relative who works at the Vanderbilt University Hospital and she arranged it for me on a med/surg floor. I was a fantastic experience. I got to ask a lot of questions about the job, I was able to talk to some nursing students who were just starting out there and actually see what an entire day as a nurse is like from taking the report at the start of a shift, assessments, admin of meds, discharging patients, etc. I drive my husband (and myself) crazy worrying about things that I really have no control of or by trying to plan every aspect of my life down to the most minute detail. You have plenty of time to decide what you want to do, and you never know what life will dish out for you. Take things one day at a time, you'll be fine.

Go to the American Hear Association's website. The school requires the Basic Life Saving class for Healthcare providers (BLS) and you can look up locations in the state that offer these classes on the website. You will have to contact those places directly, though. It cost me $55 at Robert Wood Johnson and was two days long.

Yeah, I agree with red_baron. No interview, but they have been adding additional conditions before you can apply. When I applied last Summer they did not require that we have the Basic Life Saving certificate (CPR etc.) at the time of application, now it looks like they do. Personally, because there is no interview, I would put more effort into the essay that they require you to submit. I submitted my application last summer, on advice from the recruiter, before I had all my prerequisites complete. I still needed to take psychology that fall. So, all my prerequisites were complete by Dec 2004, I received notification of acceptance for this Fall of 2005 in May. I don't know if this is typical or not, we will only be the second or third class that has begun this program and I don't know how many people are even aware of it. I would get your application in as early as you can, maybe in your last semester of prerequisites so it is in the applicant pool. We will be starting at the end of this month, you can PM me anytime if you have more questions.

No, no, they are not a requirement. I just happen to have one now and would like to use it You can get many of the reference books that we will need (drug guides, medical dictionary, etc.) in software form. Beats the heck out of having to lug books around to look up something quick, especially during clinicals. The website that everyone recommends for software seems to be www.skyscape.com The professor I talked to yesterday did not say anything definite about the purchasing program, just that they were considering it. Plus they have nice organizer features; task lists, a calendar, notepad, and contact lists that you can use to keep track of everything. I am kind of a techie person and would rather use something electronic than paper. Just my personal preference. One of the speakers during orientation is from informatics and there are also people from the computer group scheduled to be there. You could just ask questions then. Or, search the forums, the question about which one to buy creeps up all the time.

My psych teacher pointed this site out to us during class. You can even put a chili pepper next to the teachers name if you think they are "hot" Too funny.

Aren't the Littmans all engraved around the upper rim of the metal end? I just bought one from Littman and even if they do not all have the big "L" logo, I seem to remember that they all at least had the type/style (master classis, cardio, etc.) engraved. Maybe this just applies to newer models? Just my 2 cents....

That makes sense about the online classes. I was wondering why all the second semester classes weren't showing up on that list. I'm still going to ask though. Thanks for the info on the NET. I found a web site that has some practice tests http://www.testprepreview.com/nursing_practice.htm Woah, can we say sloooow as a snail in answering the math questions. Man, I need to do some reviewing. No sense in scoring low because I ran out of time! I was just worried that this was some sort of placement test or would be used as a pre-condition for us starting the program or something. Personality test huh? Sheesh, some things are better left unknown............ :)

Ok, here's the update guys The school is mailing the order forms for the nurse-pacs so we can get them shipped/ordered directly by us. I also got in touch with Dr. Lapierre, he is in charge of the BSN programs there, and I have asked him if he could provide a book list, and about the use of PDA's. He is working on getting answers to both and even mentioned that the school is considering getting into a program that offers reduced prices on PDA's and the nursing software. He said they do encourage people to use them if they have one availiable, both in clinicals and in class. I was also going to ask about: 1. How the results for the NET test are going to be used (we take it on the second day of orientation) 2. If the shuttle is available for student use to and from Newark-Penn station 3. By no clogs, I am assuming that they mean open backed, rubber shoes. So, if I buy a pair of shoes that does not lace up, but that is completely closed I should be ok? (There is a pair of Danskos that I really want to buy, but they call them "clogs" even though they are a full-coverage slip on shoe. I would hate to buy these things and then get told I can't wear them, and I really dont want to get shoes with laces, too tough to keep clean and white!) If you guys have any more questions, let me know. I figure that I can get a list of questions together and call him sometime tomorrow.

Speaking from a science background, (Chemistry, originally) where you go to school only seems to matter if you pursue an advanced degree (MSN or PHD) and want to work in the research field or teach at a university. The more prestigious the company/university, the more it matters where you get your degree from. By company, I am thinking a health based research institute or pharma. I don't think where you go to school matters for nursing, the majority of people work outside of research/academia and, like others have said, it all leads to the same license which is really what these employers care about.

http://www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/nursing/minute/nur215.htm Scroll down to the end of the page, there are tables with all the NJ schools and their pass rates If this link does not work, go to the board of nursing website, pick the "minutes" link, then pick the "Feb 15, 2005" link which should take you to the same page as the link above. I am curious what happened. I would hate to think that these students are paying so darn much for an education at Seton Hall (27 grand/year) and then not able to pass boards when they are done!:uhoh21:

Oops, I just looked at the website myself. We have classes listed for semesters 1, 3, and 4, but not 2. Gee you think we might actually NEED to take a pharmacology class somewhere along the way?

Here is the link from their website http://sn.umdnj.edu/academics/accelbsn/ASDPcurriculumsheet0605.pdf I think the list they sent us covers the classes for the first two semesters, so, that list needs to be split in half. Also the academic calendar still does not apply to us, and it does not tell us when our semesters begin and end. I am sure we will still have all the same vacation times as the rest of the students, though. And.... like my husband pointed out to me....why couldnt they have just put most of this stuff online somwhere instead of us having to wait this long to get it in the mail? I would call and raise heck, but I dont want to make a reputation for myself this early on.....

Did you notice that they sent the packages out too late for us to meet the deadline for uniforms listed on the letter? I called the uniform place right after I got my letter on Saturday. They are scheduling nursing students for UMDNJ next week for fittings, but we should still get our uniforms in time. So call them if you haven't allready. Also, I called the place about ordering the nurse-pac. We can not order them individually like the letter says, UMDNJ was supposed to send us an order form along with the letter. The place will not mail the pack to an individuals address, it has to go with the school. The secretary in the student affairs office will call me back with more info, I called them this morning. I will let you know when I find out more. Sheesh. Sorry I am such a bummer guys. I need to work on my patience, or I am never going to make it through nursing school!

With the nursing field, I really dont think you are going to have a problem competing with younger entry level nurses. If anything, "older" people entering nursing have an advantage because of the knowledge you have gained just from living life and the more time and experience you have had in dealing with your own challenges and from dealing with others. If I was an employer, I would see this as an asset, not a negative. When I think of how much I have learned about myself and how much better I can empathize with other people just in the ten years since I started college (I am 29) it is really amazing. Age is wisdom.

Loans, savings, and a gracious husband who will be working his butt off while I am in school! I also hope that I will be able to do a little "work study" through the school from time to time so I can pay for some of the little things. But that is doubtful since school will basically be an 8-5 job M-F for the next 14 months. Plus, hopefully I will be able to get a nice sign on bonus when I start so i can wipe out some of the loan debt.

Ask other students who are taking these classes what they think about their professors. We have all had teachers in high school and college that we loved. Its usually because they have a true passion for the subject and make an extra effort to share the info with their students. See who has lots of office hours and take advantage of it. I am 29 now and boy, do I wish I asked around to see what some of my professors were like before I signed up for their classes! (I got my degree in Environmental Science so it was loaded with upper level chem, bio, math, and engineering clases) If the teacher was poor, the class will be a real chore. We had a physics TA from Asia who's english was not very good at all. Every day was a struggle, not only for the students but also for the TA. You could tell he really knew the information and really wanted to help students out but was not able to effectively communicate and teach the info. What a disaster! Also, dont forget the "Idiots guides" books that you can find everywhere (You know, the ones with the bright school bus yellow covers). Go to a bookstore (B+N, Borders, etc.) and peruse the science aisles. There are lots of books out there that have different approaches and simplify concepts you need to know. My husband recently bought and mailed his Aunt (49, going back to get her BSN) a cartoon guide to statistics. I looked through the thing before he mailed it and it was great!

Me too! I finally got my letter in early May. It is kind of funny that I still don't know any more about the program than I first found out 1.5 years ago PM me sometime, please! The orientation packages are supposed to be mailed the w/o July 11. So we should all know something soon

I checked the last round of NCLEX results on the NJ board of nursing site. Seton Halls pass rate was terrible, something like 60% if I remember correctly. Would be nice to hear from someone actually in the program.

...and to add the the great advice of the previous poster, I am sure you know this, but an interview should not be one sided, be sure to ask lots of questions about the employer as well. That way not only does the employer make sure you fit within their organization, but you can make sure they fit your personal goals as well. As a professional, you training and skills are valuable. What they ultimately state in writing (contract or offer letter), not verbally, is what is important and can be your fall back if things do not work out. Keep it professional and be courteous no matter what you choose and you should be allright.

Absolutely, do the second interview. You wont regret it, and dont feel bad if you decide to not take the first job after all. I am sure you are not the only person they interviewed for that position . If this is the place where you really want to work then go for it. For goodness sake, don't deny yourself the chance!

I dont know if anyone has asked this yet, but do you have a degree in any other field right now? If you do, you might consider an accelerated program to get your RN license if one is available near you. When I was deciding what license to get I realized that in the same amount of time it would take for me to get the LPN, I could get the RN license instead. Sorry you aren't getting enough support, but I do not think that secretly pursuing and funding your classes is the right way to go. I think that you need to be open an honest with your decision to eveyone (spouse, family, etc.) I am worried that if you try to do all of this on your own, you will drive yourself crazy. No matter which path you follow to getting your licence or whatever license you choose, the training you need is going to be tough. You deserve support no matter what career you want to pursue and if you are open about it and take a stand then you might be surprised at how many people may come around to support you. Don't forget, federal student loans are always an option. If you dont already hold an undergraduate degree, there is a lot of money out there if you can go full time. If you meet the income qualifications, you can even get subsidized loans where the gov't pays the interest for you while you are in school. If you dont get subsidized loans then you are only responsible for the interest on the loans while you are in school, and the rates right now are super low! Plus, you don't have to start paying on the principal of the loan until after you graduate, six months, I think. Just some ideas. If you need support, you can always drop a message onto the forums. There is always plenty of support and encouragement to be found here :yelclap:

Hi folks, Unlike other professional careers which have one accreditation board (i.e. engineering), nursing appears to have two; NLN (All degree/diploma programs) and CCNE (Bachelor's and graduate programs). I have noticed quite a few schools dropping their NLN certification for the CCNE. Although this does not seem to affect getting licensed as a nurse at any level (?), I was wondering if employers prefer one accrediation over another? Any info anyone has on this is appreciated, I am trying to select a degree program to get my RN license. I have searched the forums and have not seen this mentioned anywhere. Maybe it really is not a big issue in nursing, but I know that in engineering if you do not get your degree from an accredited program, you can not get your PE license in most states :uhoh21: .