drea_futureRN

Hi rshergill877, I'll definitely get started on the nursingCAS! I have all pre-reqs ready for NJCU but I am worried about my GPA not being high enough - I completed microbiology this past spring semester and ended with a 3.6 GPA which isn't terrible until you start to hear about how competitive these programs are to get into! I come from a fashion design background, and while I don't have any healthcare or medical experience to add to my resume, I am looking to apply to volunteer programs in nearby hospitals to get me used to the hospital environment....but again, will it be enough to be accepted into NJCU? By the time, the nursingCAS opens for NJCU, I may really only have a month or 2 of experience volunteering if I am offered a position for a volunteering program before summer is over. I am hoping to also be accepted so that I can finish in 12 months! Rutgers Newark is my 2nd choice school but I still have to take Organic Chemistry to apply. I want to start prepping for the HESI or NJCU halfway through summer, which I hear its not as difficult as the NLN-PAX. Do you plan to take time away from being a clinical dietitian if you're accepted into NJCU or can you maintain working part-time? I work full-time right now in the city designing activewear - its a regular 9-6 desk job. If accepted into NJCU I plan to leave my full-time job and depending on what the school schedule allows me, possibly take on a part-time or per diem job in a hospital but NJCU does recommend that you do not work at all. We shall see what happens this coming fall! Maybe we can keep in touch since we are both looking to apply for Fall 2017 :) good luck with the application process!!

Hi Lacerti! Thanks so much for taking the time to reply to my post - and yes, I am looking to apply to NJCU JC for Fall 2017 (guess it may be time to start that thread on here ). I guess what worries me the most is that my Bachelor's degree is so out of left field and that I do not have any kind of science background .... until the application process starts for 2017 I do plan to find volunteer opportunities in a hospital like you mentioned and start prepping for HESI while continuing to take the remainder of the required pre-reqs for Rutgers (I still have to complete an organic chem or chem II class along with nutrition). We shall see what happens - NJCU sounds very competitive but I am hoping that I will meet their requirements and that I will be able to write a strong essay that reflects my decision and passion for nursing when the time comes. Thanks again for your input and good luck in nursing school! Hopefully I will be able to share advice with ours as you have with me!

Hi all, congrats to those who have been admitted to the program!!!! Wanted to join this thread to see if there are others looking to apply for Fall 2016 - NJCU JC is my 1st choice school, Rutgers is my 2nd although I have heard that Rutgers is only accepting internal applications? Not sure how accurate that info is or if it even applies to the accelerated program since I didn't come across that info when on their website, I only heard this through word of mouth. So far, those are my only 2 choices - its not easy to find an accelerated program that is "affordable" $$$$$! I have completed the pre-reqs and right now I have a 3.5 GPA based on pre-reqs, I have just about a 3.0 from my first degree - a BFA in fashion design. Does anyone know how they go about reviewing and filtering apps? I know generally, schools are looking for a well-rounded student with a diverse background especially for an accelerated program but how does GPA, your resume, recommendations, etc. all weight in? From what I've read about the HESI, it sounds like its not that that bad and as long as I put in the time studying, I am sure I can do well. I think the NLN PAX is harder from what I've heard and read and NJCU does not test you on chem or physics so it takes a load off. Do you think they review apps based on first come, first serve? How would those who were accepted into the program describe their experience in the application process with NJCU? I feel that the earlier I apply, the better chance I will have.....what are your thoughts? I would LOOOVE to say I was accepted in the NJCU program for Fall 2016 but the idea of being wait-listed or rejected really makes me nervous!!!

Hi Supraargo! Thanks for taking the time to read and reply on my posting! Up until now, I really hadn't thought about a CNA program. From researching programs, yes they definitely sound worthwhile to get that "hands on" exposure but wouldn't I be learning the same or similar things in clinicals? Though I see what you mean...going through a CNA program would definitely help with clinicals and yes, give me some edge when applying. I am hesitant about going for my ADN but I feel thats what I can afford without adding more student loan debt to my name. I have come across job listings which state that "a BSN is preferred or plans for enrollment in a program leading to the same." Is having your RN and ADN really not enough?

Hi HouTx, Thanks for taking the time to read my post and reply! It is definitely appreciated! :) Costume design sounds very creative and fun! I know very few people who specialized in costume design but I'm sure your daughter or son love what they do! For me, I had a love for science and math in high school but also loved art, design and fashion and felt so passionate about it.....then I went with my passion and worked hard to get into college (I graduated from Parsons School of Design in NYC in '08) and have put time into working my way up a bit in this industry. I am now gainfully employed but unfortunately my passion for this industry has really run dry. After sophomore year in college, I was pretty burnt out from pulling so many all-nighters that I took a year off and actually thought about switching majors then (fashion to nursing) but decided to stuck with fashion. I experienced a lay-off from my first design job after slaving away for more than 2 years and while unemployed, the idea of going back to school for nursing came up again - yet I still went back to a job in the apparel industry. I turned 30 this year and told myself, I'm either going to make this change happen or letting go of this idea. I guess I feared having to "start over" or that I didn't have what it takes to become a nurse I was and still am a bit hesitant about getting my ADN - I have definitely heard things that a ADN is not enough to be hired. As I continue to research nursing job postings, what I see to find is that even though a BSN is always the preference, an ADN may be acceptable "as long as you have plans for enrollment in a BSN program". I racked up a nice chunk of student loan debt from design school and getting my ADN seems like the most affordable way, while maintaining some type of full-time job. As of now, I have been paying for my pre-reqs out of pocket and saving for nursing school while paying down my current student loan debt. I had original plans of applying to an accelerated BSN program but many require you to take the time off from a job and focus on school which I financially can't do and I'm worried I would struggle rushing to learn all the material. I want to be ready to apply by Fall '16, I am just hoping the education requirement remains somewhat the same in 2018 if and when I graduate from an ADN program. The goal is to jump into BSN program as soon as possible after receiving my ADN and passing the NCLEX. I also took time to look at more clerical jobs from various hospitals (yes, as in "admin" I meant "clerical") and you were definitely right on the money with Medical Terminology Many clerical job postings from what I'm seeing require Medical Terminology knowledge (strongly preferred) or a Medical Terminology certificate is required. I found an online class that is 6 weeks long and very affordable so I will definitely be adding that my class schedule. Thanks for the heads up on that! I'm kinda dreading re-writing my resume (my resume currently caters to design jobs) but I know once I start the process of editing, it will slowly come together. I'm hoping that my enrollment in community college with a pending acceptance to a nursing program and completing both the BSL certification class and now the medical terminology certificate will help my resume stand out somewhat, though I have also heard that hospital hiring can definitely be a lengthy process. While a clerical job may not be the total "hands on" exposure to patient care, I'm really hoping that that's the way I can break into a hospital job. The tuition reimbursement is also an added bonus which could possible help to speed up finishing the rest of my pre-reqs. Fingers crossed! I will be trying to apply to as many hospitals as I can! P.S. Your comment on the best fitting scrubs was cute! I hope I make it to that first day on the job, when I can put on a pair of well fitting scrubs and wear that RN badge proudly

Hello my fellow nursing peers, I am currently undergoing a career change - as of now, I work in Manhattan for a men's clothing company...a big change from fashion design to nursing. I've been looking forward to making this change for a few years now and am committed on making it happen 1000%. I started this past year on taking the steps and am hoping to be ready to apply to an AS nursing program for Fall '16. So far, the pre-requisites I have completed are Statistics, Psychology, A&P I. Coming up, I'll be taking and A&P II and Lifespan Development. I will also be taking a BSL class to get certified. Moving forward in the Spring, I am looking to take Microbiology and possibly a chemistry class (though some AS programs do not require chemistry). The last science class I took, was high school chemistry junior year which was about 14 years ago and ended up doing quite well in A&P I. I'm eager and anxious to make a transition in work environments happen soon. I know classes will become more and more intense especially if and when I'm accepted into a nursing program so keeping my current full-time design job is less and less likely. I have been fortunate enough to have an amazing boss who has been understanding and has allowed me some flexibility with work and classes. While I don't want to let my current boss down because she has been so flexible with me, I don't want to hold myself back and I want the exposure to the hospital environment. I know I have gained many transferable skills from my professional experience which will all go on my resume and cover letter and I will have to write an objective that is short, to the point and explains my experience and my interest in the healthcare field. I believe my skills for the time being, many be qualified for healthcare admin jobs but are there other jobs out there I many be qualified for? I have about 7 years experience in my field, admin jobs are typically 9-5 and may be a good start but I'm worried there will be a conflict with class scheduling later down the road. I've also researched healthcare staffing agencies which I plan to reach out and see if I get a bite from that. Any advice on breaking into the nursing and health care industry? Any advice on how to make my resume stand out? Are there other certifications I should be looking to take to add to my resume? I would love to make a transition by the beginning of 2016. Any input or suggestions you have are very much welcomed and appreciated!!! Thanks for taking the time to read this and reply!!