Applying for Sacramento State ASBSN Fall 2009

Mossback · Feb 15, 2009

I also applied. Like you, I'd prefer if the program still went 15 months straight. Nevertheless, I'd be happy to be one of those chosen for either the fall or spring groups.

I'm anxiously awaiting an answer from CSUS. In the meantime I'm applying to a number of other Central Valley programs (11 in all).

Here's hoping those other applications will prove to be superfluous.

calstudent · Feb 15, 2009

It sounds like Sac State is your first choice. I also applied to Samuel Merritt's ABSN program and got accepted, but for financial reasons I'd definitely go with CSUS, especially in this kind of job market where even nurses are finding trouble looking for a job.

I think we should get a reply in the next 2-3 weeks; I think last year's cohort found out their results at the very beginning of March.

Wow, 11 programs in all? I'm guessing that some of those would be community colleges. I was considering applying to some community college AS programs, but the programs here in the Bay Area are extremely impacted and the lottery systems don't seem worth the trouble of applying...especially since the BSN seems more valued nowadays.

Mossback · Feb 15, 2009

I thought about applying to Samuel Merritt, but am lacking the pathophysiology pre-req. The only local college to offer it is Yuba College, and those classes fill up in a heartbeat.

Like the Bay Area, all of the ADN programs in the Central Valley are extremely impacted. A case in point is the program at Sacramento City College, which had more than 800 applicants for 30 slots. Even the undergrad program at CSUS is getting more than 400 applicants for the fall semester, and about 300 for spring.

I'm holding out hope for the ABSN program at CSUS, but I'm applying everywhere as a means of hedging my bets. I've gone through two rounds of applications for community colleges (although this is my first attempt at the CSUS ABSN program) with no success, so I'm not taking anything for granted.

nursinguy · Feb 16, 2009

I am in the reg program ( last semester), but have had friends go through the 15month. The 2 year will stay for at least a few years, as I predict the economy will get worse not better.

What would you like to know?

calstudent · Feb 16, 2009

Hi nursinguy. Thanks for offering to provide us with an insider's view of the nursing program. Has the program been pretty manageable work-load wise?

Like Mossback, I'm also anxiously awaiting my decision from sac state but I'm also worried about job prospects. Since it's your last semester (congrats on being almost done!), do you have any advice on what nursing students can do while in school (and maybe at CSUS in particular) to improve their job prospects? Ultimately, I'd like to work in the ER, but I've been hearing that many new grads are being forced to work at nursing homes first.

nursinguy · Feb 16, 2009

Hi nursinguy. Thanks for offering to provide us with an insider's view of the nursing program. Has the program been pretty manageable work-load wise?
Like Mossback, I'm also anxiously awaiting my decision from sac state but I'm also worried about job prospects. Since it's your last semester (congrats on being almost done!), do you have any advice on what nursing students can do while in school (and maybe at CSUS in particular) to improve their job prospects? Ultimately, I'd like to work in the ER, but I've been hearing that many new grads are being forced to work at nursing homes first.

Work wise since it has been put into a 2 year program, the acelerated group no longer gets a watered down version of the curriculm. Yes that means more work. The first and the 2nd semester will be work intensive, when you are not doing real nursing stuff, you will be up to your ears in group projects, indendant projects, online quizes that confound the mind (do them in groups or a lower grade you will get, as I found out, lol) and other busy work that the teachers believe makes you a better person, lol. The work is pretty much 24/7 for 2 years, 3rd semester is a little lite if you do summer camps to complete the required 40 hours of community service required for peds and ob.

Job prospects I recomend this, do all your clinicals at the hospital you plan to work at, many of my friend have got hired, even though their is a hiring freeze. Be top notch in clinical, and maintain decent grades. A (A) in class no way means you have any clue of what you are doing in clinical, I have seen A students that are totaly incompetent in the clinical portion, they even pass. Get to know people you work with in the hospital and have good report with you clinical instructors, go to units you know they will be adding beds. All this is key to getting a job after you graduate.

Let me know if you like to know anything else. Don't be scared it is doable, just you will have to sacrifice your family and friends for a few years.

jaredhartman · Mar 12, 2009

Has anyone received a decision letter? I emailed an administrator asking when they would be sent and was told March sixth or ninth. I am in Berkeley and have not received mine. It is the eleventh.

calstudent · Mar 12, 2009

Nope, no decision letter yet but they are coming. Below is an email from Kathy Robinson, who is in charge of the program, when I asked her on Monday (3/9) when the letters should be coming and whether the program was still going to be offered in the 20 in the fall, 20 in the spring format despite what the updated website states.

"Hello,

I'm working on the applications right now and hope to have the letters out in the next few days. We are still going ahead with starting 20 in fall '09 and 20 in spring '10. The message on the ASBSN website refers to any future years, not the applications that were already accepted for 2009-2010."

Kathy Robinson

ASC I

Division of Nursing

California State University, Sacramento

(916) 278-3869 - phone

(916) 278-6311 - fax

[email protected]

So, I guess we just have to hold out until then!

jaredhartman · Mar 12, 2009

Thanks for the update. I guess I will need to exercise some patience.

jaredhartman · Mar 12, 2009

I did not have to exercise for too long. I received my decision letter today, and have been accepted for fall 2009. I am relieved, although we have to notify of our intent to enroll by April 6th which is before I expect to hear from San Francisco State for their generic MSN program.

It is a problem I am happy to have. Thanks again Calstudent for that update. It relieved my fears of a lost application or some other problem.

calstudent · Mar 12, 2009

Wow, congratulations!!! I checked my mail today and haven't received it yet (I'm in San Francisco; across the bay from you). Perhaps mail takes an extra day to cross the bay. Who knows? Hopefully I'll get something in the mail either tomorrow or on Saturday.

You are very welcome for the update. I was getting worried that due to budget problems, they decided to cancel the program in its entirety before I sent that email for clarification. I'm very glad to see that is not the case for this upcoming year.