Why do students choose to come to Jersey College when nursing students can choose from diploma, 2-year, 4-year, public, or private nursing schools? There are so many options out there. I have always believed that it is not the walls, it is the people that define an institution. At Jersey College, the faculty and administrative staff take a personal interest in the success of each and every one of our students. We have an obligation to the clients we serve, and the nursing profession to graduate safe and effective entry level nurses. What does that mean? It means that we support the student in their journey of learning how to safely care for patients with competence and professionalism. However, our personal investment goes beyond safe and effective practice because we care about you, our future nurses. Many of our students are adult learners who have families, jobs, and other personal obligations that may have prevented them from furthering their education. We understand the student’s struggle, as many of our faculty are also students pursuing higher education. Our faculty are experienced nurses who have dedicated themselves to giving back to the profession through teaching and mentorship of the adult learner.

I have personally chosen to be a part of Jersey College because the school reminds me of my diploma school many years ago. Although there are many wonderful healthcare professions, we have dedicated our College solely to nursing, so that we can contribute to the nursing profession by reducing the nursing shortage. We have small classes, so each instructor knows every student in the class and has the time to work with them. The instructors have the ability to identify students who need extra help, but may not want to ask for tutoring or additional resources. The clinical experiences are at local facilities in the area that have hired many of our graduates. We have an amazing simulation lab for students to practice skills from simple IV or catheter insertion, to real-life simulated experiences of childbirth, post-partum hemorrhage, shock, and cardiac arrest. Whether you are new to nursing or have not performed a skill in many years, the simulation lab provides a place to practice with the assistance of an experienced clinical instructor. We also open our lab to graduates and facilities in the area to perform simulations and practice. Why become a nurse? Did you ever think you would have the ability to save someone’s life? Or hold someone’s hand while they were dying? I have been told that you can’t change the world. I beg to differ. Nurses change the world every day. As a graduate nurse, you will change the world and you will become a leader. At Jersey College, we strive to prepare you to have the knowledge, strength, courage, and compassion, to treat your patients, families, work well with physicians and other members of the interdisciplinary team, and one day teach new nurses to be as great as you are.

“When you’re a nurse you know that every day you will touch a life or a life will touch yours”. Author Unknown

Kathleen Pinto MSN, RN