jam752

Not to discourage you at all because I am in the same boat... I'm taking my pre-reqs and plan to apply to an accelerated nursing program for May or September of 2012. I just wanted to let you know that WPU will NOT be having an accelerated BSN program until 2013. Information about that can be found here: http://www.wpunj.edu/cosh/departments/nursing/undergraduate-programs/acceleratedfast-track-program/ I live extremely close to the school and was really disappointed when they decided to discontinue the ABSN. UMDNJ and NJCU have NLN accredited programs. This can be important depending on where you want to work. For instance, Hackensack University Medical Center, which I hear pays very well, will only accept NLN accredited schools.

Sorry if I was unclear - I of course meant job offers while in school on the contingency that you receive your license, like umcRN experienced. Thanks so much, this is all very helpful.

Hi Everyone - I'm about to start applying for nursing programs and I just wanted to ask what everyone thought on the subject of job offers. I think most people's goal while going through school is to have a solid base of job offers when they graduate, especially in today's job market. For individuals who were offered jobs straight out of school, why do you think your employers targeted you? Was it mainly experience? Were you given an offer because you currently worked at the facility? Are you more likely to get job offers if you're at the top of your class? Is your score on the NCLEX a factor (and do employers even have access to your score, for that matter)? Thanks for any input!

This is EXACTLY the kind of information I was looking for! Thank you so much to everyone who took the time to answer my post. I currently work in a big time law firm in NYC as a paralegal (and was planning to go to law school) when I realized I'd much rather be helping people, not to mention avoid sitting in an office all day. The ironic thing is that now when I tell people at my law firm that I'm going into nursing, they have zero respect for that! So I'm kind of used to it... I'll do my own thing no matter what people say Emtb2rn, I completely agree. I think that no matter what sort of facility or specialty I'm working in, having a couple of years in big business will be such an asset when it comes to delegation and multitasking. So far, on my quest to learn everything I possibly can before I enter a program, your experience and suggestions have been absolutely invaluable so thanks again!

Hey Guys - I'm currently 25 years old and graduated from Penn State in 2007 with a BS in Psychology and a minor in Business. I'm currently planning to apply to a 2nd degree accelerated BSN program. For people who either know about their hospital's hiring policy, or have had experience with getting hired with a second degree BSN: Are you more likely to get hired because you have two degrees? It would seem obvious that if I was applying to some sort of psych hospital I would have an advantage, but I was just wondering if anyone's had experience with this. Thanks so much for any help!

For the people who said their hospital will pay... what state do you work in?

Absolutely! I already have a BS in Psychology and Business but am applying for an accelerated BSN for May or September 2012. I hear it's very tough to get jobs in this area without the BSN, so I figure it's worth it.

I was wondering if anyone knew if it's typical for hospitals to pay for graduate education. I have a friend who works at a major hospital in Philadelphia, and she says that if she wants to get her master's at the hospital she currently works at, they'll pay 90% of the cost, and if she wants to go anywhere else, they'll pay 70%. Is this a normal benefit for nurses, or does she work at a hospital with amazing benefits? Thanks so much for any input!

Hi Everyone! I am brand new to allnurses.com but I think I have done a sufficient amount of research and can't seem to find any definitive information regarding salaries in the NY/NJ area for late 2010/early 2011. It seems like all the information out there is for 2009/early 2010. I was just wondering what new graduates were being offered, and if you could specify what hospital/speciality you work in, that would be great. Thanks so much and good luck to everyone who's currently job searching!