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In the eyes of RVCC nursing student Vashaya Ramsey, it’s never too late to pivot. This beauty industry veteran owned a brow and lash bar in Brooklyn for nearly a decade, then closed it when COVID hit. She moved to New Jersey with her young daughter and decided to go back to school at age 48 to become a Registered Nurse (RN). 

“I basically decided to take a pivot and invest in me and that's how I ended up studying nursing,” says Vashaya, who aspires to work with plastic surgeons and dermatologists in a clinical setting to administer injectables and other aesthetic treatments. “It's not a hard jump to go from beauty to aesthetic beauty, but it’s more medical,” she says. “It’s something I always thought about, and this was the perfect time, the perfect storm.”

She began looking at nursing programs and heard about RVCC from her younger cousin and niece. “I researched RVCC and I was just blown away by how much support the school offers,” says Vashaya, who entered The College through the Educational Opportunity Fund Program (EOF)—a program that provides eligible students with academic and economic assistance to help them earn their college degree.

“I'm so glad I applied and am in the EOF program because it’s allowing me to focus on school and still be present for my daughter,” says Vashaya, who plans to transfer to the RN program at Rutgers University after completing her associate degree in nursing at RVCC. 

So, what’s it like to be an adult learner among traditionally aged college students? “I'm old enough to be their mothers!” Vashaya quips. “At first, I was a little nervous and saying to myself, ‘They're babies!’ But some of them are so wise and so focused and have even helped me with my work,” she shares. “They have a wealth of knowledge, and they like to share. I’ve learned a lot from them.”

Vashaya feels a similar way about RVCC’s professors and staff. “Everybody really cares, even down to the security guards, the maintenance people, the janitorial people. The staff is just really amazing and helpful, and they all want you to win. That's what I really, really love about the school,” she says.

How to Become an RN

If you’ve been researching “registered nursing programs near me,” you’ve probably noticed that there are many community college nursing programs and nursing schools in NJ. 

Rest assured that RVCC’s nursing program is regarded as one of the best accelerated nursing programs in New Jersey. The program is accredited by both the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. (ACEN) and The New Jersey Board of Nursing. 

At Raritan Valley Community College, there are two RN nursing programs to choose from. 

• Nursing RN, Associate of Applied Science 

Graduates of this program receive an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing and qualify to take to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Graduates have an opportunity to seamlessly continue their education and earn a Bachelor of Science degree from Kean University.

• Nursing (PN/AD), Associate of Applied Science Degree Option in Nursing

RVCC’s PN to RN Nursing “Bridge Program” is designed for students who have already graduated from a Practical Nursing (PN) program and want to continue their education to become RNs. The program prepares students to take the NCLEX-RN and then work in an entry-level position as a registered nurse.

In addition to these 2-year nursing programs, RVCC offers several other healthcare-related degree and certificate programs, including Exercise Science, Medical Laboratory Technology, and more. Explore our health science career pathway page to learn more!

About RVCC

Ready to become the next RVCC success story? Raritan Valley Community College is ranked the #1 community college in New Jersey by WalletHub.com and Intelligent.com. The College offers more than 90 degree and certificate programs, small class sizes, affordable tuition, a vibrant campus life, and more to set students up for success. Apply today or visit https://www.raritanval.edu for further information.