Hi everyone so I am currently a high school senior. I got accepted into Ramapo, Seton Hall, Stony Brook, MCPHS, ACPHS, Rutgers. I want to major in nursing and was leaning towards Ramapo. I told my dad and he said that it’s better if I go to Rutgers because it has a better reputation. If I went to Ramapo I might as well go to a community college. And that if I were to apply for a job as a Ramapo graduate and another person as a Rutgers graduate they would accept Rutgers and would pay Rutgers graduates better. However, I am not comfortable in such a large environment. I prefer a smaller size college. But I am now conflicted because of what my dad said. Also is it true that people look for what colleges you go to, not your experience or degree when looking at applications? More prestigious schools= higher pay? What do you guys think?
I am an RN for 22 years in a very large NJ hospital and nobody cares where anybody went to school. It does not matter one bit once you pass NCLEX. There is most definitely not higher pay for prestigious schools. Pay is based on experience. The best thing you can do to help yourself get a job is to work as an aide/tech while in school to get your foot in the door and get comfortable with patient care. If you are not comfortable in a large school environment you will hate Rutgers. Which Rutgers campus did you get into?
@mommek3
I agree with everything you said! RN 11 years now, got here by starting at community college level. It doesn’t matter how you get there, as long as where you do go prepares you to take the NCLEX and pass it. If you are not comfortable in a large setting, you should not be considering Rutgers. Nursing school is challenging enough, you need to feel comfortable where you are. My daughter was admitted into a few nursing programs and I am thrilled she chose Ramapo. We got such a good vibe the second we got there. My older daughter is starting Bergen community college nursing program in fall as well, and will probably transfer to Ramapo. I am proud of both of them, and kind of laughing inside because they have no idea what’s about to happen to them ?
Understand where your dad is coming from: 30 years ago, Ramapo was a low level public college. TCNJ was called Trenton State College and Rowan was a dingy public school too. Things have changed a lot. The State of New Jersey has invested in its public colleges and now Ramapo has become a perfectly respectable alternative. 