Students should refer to the Union County College catalog, the Trinitas School of Nursing Catalog, and the UCC web site, for full details on the Nursing program. All information covered here is subject to change.

Questions Covered:

► When can I expect to have a letter to be considered for registration into NURE 130?

► If I receive a “Letter of Consideration” what does it mean?

►  If I am not being considered will I receive a letter telling me this?

► If I can not make the registration date, will I be considered again?

► What are Points and how are points assessed?

►  Can I have an idea as to my point standing?

► I have satisfied the requirements for English, Biology and Chemistry as stipulated in the Trinitas School of Nursing Catalog, why haven’t I received an invitation?

► I am a transfer student and have transferred all of my credits that satisfy the Pre/Co-requisite requirements, and do not take any courses with Union County College, will that impact my chances for being invited?

► If I receive an unsatisfactory grade (F, D, C, W) in NURE 130, how will it impact my ability to register for it again? UPDATED 12/10/08

►  If I am currently enrolled taking co-requisite courses, and I am registered for NURE 130 for the upcoming term, what happens if I do not do well enough in those co-requisite courses?

► NEW 12/10/09: Why and When do I need to go through a criminal background check?

When can I expect to have an invitation to be considered for registration into NURE 130?

A: It depends on the following: Once registration is underway for any given term, a database is developed where all eligible students in the Nursing program (Admissions designation “EGHN”) are evaluated for meeting pre-requisite and co-requisite requirements (English, Biology and Chemistry). Number of available seats and the number of students eligible for consideration always varies from term to term. The higher the assessed points (read.. What are Points and how are points assessed? & Can I have an idea as to my point standing?) the higher the probability of being invited.

If I receive a “Letter of Consideration” what does it mean?

A: The letter is to inform you that you are an active candidate being considered for registration. It does not guarantee your registration or a seat in class. Each letter will have an ID number assigned to the student. You will be required to refer to the number as you go through the selection process. Once you receive a letter, follow the directions carefully. You may be asked to supply a desired section (days and times the course meets. We will ask for a desired section only when the sections are filling and only a few seats are left. We do not want to invite people unnecessarily if the desired section will not be available.

If I am not being considered will I receive a letter telling me this?

A: No. Currently only those being considered are invited. You should, however, have received mail of some type that identifies you as a nursing student. If not, you should see a counselor. Below you will find information which can provide you with an idea as to how many students are in the pool for consideration, and how you can determine your point standing in relation to the most current cohort of candidates.

If I can not make the registration date, will I be considered again?

A: Only after everyone on the eligibility roster has been given an opportunity to register. If additional seats are available after going through the entire list of candidates, you may be invited again for the same term. If you wish to wait until the following term, ensure you have an active application on file. If you have not registered for courses you may not have an active application on file. As long as you are eligible, you will be put back into the candidate pool for the next term. Being invited to register one term does NOT indicate that you then be invited again for the following term. Bear in mind that a new list is generated and all the students that now have met the requirements are also put into the pool of candidates and they may have a higher point rating than you. This is especially true of the summer where there is limited number of seats for NURE 130.

You may also have someone register for you. You'll need to complete the required paperwork (registration form) in advance. Ensure you sign it. The person representing you will be able to expedite your registration and must be prepared to make payment. They must bring the Consideration Letter. They should be prepared to make notes during the registration process that they can then relay back to you.

What are Points and how are points assessed?

A: In the past registration for NURE 130 was based on a first-come, first served basis. This process was unruly and unfair to many students that have been waiting a considerable amount of time to have access. To be as fair as possible to each student in the Trinitas Nursing program, a point system has been developed which takes into account several aspects of the student’s academic progress in the program.

To have points assessed initially, a student must be designated as Nursing student (EGHN)and have satisfied Pre-requisites and Co-requisite requirements (BIO, CHE, ENG), and have a current application on file (If you did not take classes or have withdrawn from classes, you may not have a current application on file). Points are assessed by including the following: Grade Point Average (GPA), Credits earned at UCC, residency status (New Jersey vs. out-of-state), date of transfer. (NOTE: Trinitas requires a 2.5 GPA for UCC students to take NURE 130).

Transfer students will not have their previous institutions GPA recorded or considered (2.5 requirement a non-issue). This practice applies to all transfer students. Transfer students therefore, will not have their GPA counted as points.

Higher the point rating the more likely you are to be considered. The points standing may change from term to term based on changes to the criteria presented – e.g. drop/rise in GPA, additional courses taken at UCC, change in residency, failing a course requirement.

Can I have an idea as to my point standing?

A: Add the following (must have all co-pre-requisites in place – UCC students must have a 2.5 GPA):

Union County College – Grade Point Average (#.##)

Transfer GPA = 0

UCC Credits earned / 3 (1 point per 3 credits earned)

Transfer credit = 0

New Jersey resident = +2

Transfer students may find their point standing at this point quite similar. An additional calculation takes place which provides a slight differentiation between standings, the computer multiplies number of credits transferred by the starting term (example.. spring 2007 is 071 – 071 x .0001 x transfer hours). For most students this may add between 0.199 to 0.003 pts.

I have satisfied the requirements for English, Biology and Chemistry as stipulated in the Trinitas School of Nursing Catalog, why haven’t I received an invitation?

A: Several factors may be causing you not to have an invitation:

1. Invitations go out between the start of registration and the start of class. If you didn’t receive an invitation near the start of registration, you may still have one at a later point in the registration cycle – some circumstances may have registration taking place one week prior to class.

2. The eligibility list is run late May, early June for the Fall. If you have applied for admission near or after the start of registration for the Fall (early May), there is the possibility that you may not be invited. The probability is based on the number of applicants/students in the program and is subject to frequent change. This should not discourage you from having an current application on file (see #5).

The eligibility list is run fairly early at the start of registration for the Spring term. The difference between the Spring and the Fall term is the amount of time between semesters. The window of opportunity from Fall to Spring is narrow - 2+ months from fall to spring vs. 3+ months from Spring to Fall.

Summer registration starts late January. Fall registration starts early May. Spring registration starts early November.

3. Ensure your mailing address is correct – if you’re getting mail from UCC it’s correct. Especially true if you have confirmation of your acceptance into the Nursing program.

4. Ensure your program of study is accurately reflected in the Student Information System database (program code: EGHN). If you are receiving a mailing with information on the nursing program, you may assume that you are properly coded.

5. Ensure your application is current. If you applied for a particular term but have not registered for any courses, your application may not be active. You’ll need to reapply. IF you have already paid the $30 application fee, you will not have to pay again.

6. If you have transferred credits to Union County College, be certain that all the required pre/co-requisite are in the system.

7. Transfer students with a Waiver Code “N” require math placement testing or must present an exemption from testing. Please contact a counselor for more information. If you receive a Letter of Consideration with a “N” code in place, you have received the letter in error. ALL REMEDIAL REQUIREMENTS MUST BE COMPLETED BEFORE A STUDENT MAY REGISTER FOR NURE 130.

At times human error may play a role in why an invitation has not gone out. Should this be the case, you must contact a counselor or someone from Trinitas to let them know. before you do, consider... you have the GPA requirement satisfied, you have the co-requsite requirments satisfied, you have not recently (1-1/2 years) taken NURE 130 with a less than satisfactory grade, you are designated as an EGHN major, you don't have any "holds" on your ability to register (owed tuition, etc.), you are currently enrolled or have an application on file for the term.

If I am a transfer student and have transferred all of my credits that satisfy the Pre/Co-requisite requirements, and do not take any courses with Union County College, will that impact my chances for being invited?

A: Remember that students that enroll taking courses at Union County College (UCC) are likely to have a higher point rating. A large component of the point assessment system is the Quality Hours (course credits attained) taken at UCC. A student’s Grade Point Average is yet another component which greatly impacts points. Transfer students that have not completed courses at Union County College will not have a grade point average or credit hours and this greatly impacts the number of points assessed to them. The point system ensures that students that have earned credits at UCC, are not put at a disadvantage and are given proper consideration for enrollment in NURE 130.

B. Transfer students with a Waiver Code “N” require math placement testing or must present an exemption from testing. Please contact a counselor for more information. If you receive a Letter of Consideration with a “N” code in place, you have received the letter in error. ALL REMEDIAL REQUIREMENTS MUST BE COMPLETED BEFORE A STUDENT MAY REGISTER FOR NURE 130.

If I receive an unsatisfactory grade (F, D, C, W) in NURE 130, how will it impact my ability to register for it again?

 A: The following grades will impact (F, D, C [C+ required], W) eligibility to register for the following term. In all likelihood, students may have to wait one year prior to being considered again for an invitation. If you receive an unsatisfactory grade for the Spring semester, the following Spring term is when you may have an opportunity. Based on current enrollment trends, if you fail NURE130 you will not likely be invited even after one year.

After this period of time, you will be placed back in the pool of prospective NURE 130 candidates and your point standing adjusted and reactivated. While you are not able to register for NURE 130, you may register for other UCC courses. You must make certain that if you do not enroll and take courses other than NURE 130, you must file another Application for Admission to keep your file active.
 
UPDATE 12/10/08: Students being considered for Re-Entry must have a 2.75 cumulative grade point average (CGPA).

If I am currently enrolled taking co-requisite courses, and I am registered/ing for NURE 130 for the upcoming term, what happens if I do not do well enough in those co-requisite courses?

A: Unless you are able to reregister for those co-requisite courses, you should drop NURE 130 immediately. If you do not drop the class, you risk the chance that you will be charged for the course (tuition – refer to catalog, student handbook) and then you’ll be dropped from NURE 130 anyway. This also holds true should your Grade Point Average (GPA) drop below the required 2.50 As you know, seats are in high demand and by dropping the course as soon as you know you’ve not met requirements for NURE 130, you are assisting others that are looking for a seat in the section you have registered for.

Because many students have not done well taking Biology and Chemistry in addition to NURE 130, many have smartly opted to finish the co-requisite requirements first. It is recommended that if you are not a strong student with a decent GPA that you not take the one sure shot you have for NURE130 until you have satisfied BIO and CHEM. If you have received a letter for consideration for registration into NURE130, you will in all likelihood be invited again as long as you meet all the conditions for consideration moving forward (GPA, etc.)