Thinking about changer career to nursing..have some questions about school!

DaddyO · Nov 9, 2008

With respect to the GPA.....I understand UMDNJ has a minimum of 2.75 I believe it was. Rutgers told me 3.0 and the programs are competitive........but I would call the offices to see what they will tell you.

With respect to the Pre-requs...I took mine at the community college. I have a 4yr degree too...in Risk Management and Actuarial Science and like you, I am going thru a career change as well. Not sure if a prestiguos school matters as much in the Health field versus what we see in the business industry. I think the issue is more of doing well in the pre classes...and not necessarily where you went. My opinions are based on speaking to those at UMDNJ, BCC and Rutgers. They only emphasized completing the prerequs....and stressed to do well in all.

with respect to going full time and working...I have been told to try and pay down as much debt as possible while trying to save as well.

Caratzas66 · Nov 11, 2008

I was laid off in January 2006 and decided to go back to school to become a RN.

To answer your questions, I would run the GPA question by the admissions dept. I think if you do really well in the pre-reqs then you should be OK. I also went to a prestigious school (Northwestern) and had a 3.0 on the nose. I had a 3.8 in the pre-reqs, though.

A community college is definitely the way to go for the pre-reqs. Same material, much cheaper.

I graduated from the acclerated BSN program at UMDNJ this past May. I chose it over Rutgers because it seemed to have fewer pre-req requirements. I had some issues with the school, mostly based on organization or lack thereof, but the education was solid for the most part and it really is the only game in town, to my knowledge. If you are from NJ the cost is pretty reasonable.

Regarding paying the bills, I was lucky enough to have a spouse who worked two jobs while I was in school. The first day they warn you not to work but there were plenty of students who did. Some worked as PCAs on the night shift and came to school straight from work! I wouldn't recommend this, however. The schoolwork is voluminous and will require total devotion. If you could borrow money for living expenses, I would recommend that.

I start my job on Monday, thanks in no small part to UMDNJ for preparing me to become a registered nurse.

I wish you good luck in your endeavors.

atrex · Nov 21, 2008

hopefully my situation offers some insight. it's not exaclty what you're looking for so forgive me if it's of no help.

I am changing carreers as well.

I work in the accounting department of a large real estate company, and I am not happy.

So I applied for UMDNJ, I have a BS from large East Coast state school in 1998.

GPA was not good enough to get in. under 3.0

Recruiter told me that I should apply anyway but to not take rejection too hard. I Was planning on living on savings for a while maybe even moving in to In-Laws house. but rejection letter came.

Well since I didn't get in I attended CCM(county college of morris) at night, kept my day job and am set to graduate and take the NCLEX in February.

The pro's of county college is if you have the science pre-reqs already done it's only 2 years. Another 4 to 2 months more than your ABSN

If you didn't take the pre-reqs expect to take the bio/AP1&2 over.

The con's is you will get a little less pay*(from what I hear) as a AD nurse, and may not lose out a competitive position to a BSN graduate.(again this is what i hear and not know)

Prereq's for CCM, if you're transfering science classes they need to be w/in the last 10 years.

Bio113-took it over the summer

Anatompy and Phisiology I and II-took it over a year. One girl took them concurrently. You say you're not a mom or married, but it's hard to manage this load.

I have had really good clinical experiences, have seen cardiac catheterizations, open heart surgeries, actually given IM/subq injections, hung plenty of IV's, did rotations in an ER for a few nights. The best part is, I will not be in debt as the program for in-county residents is really cheap.

I hope you find a way into this carrer as I am really excited for the change.

You can do it!

Lovelymo79 · Nov 21, 2008

Thanks all! I'm looking to start taking classes at Essex County College next semester. I took Psych and Statistics already..but that was years ago..and I got C's in both. When trying to get into these competitive schools, I don't want ANYTHING lower than a B..so I'm going to take those over again..