CSU San Bernardino or Loma Linda University?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Oct 20, 2009

I would attend CSU San Bernardino due to the cheaper tuition rates for the exact same end result: an RN license.

If you've been accepted to two RN programs in this slumping economy, choose the more economical option and attend the regional state university.

Juntra · Oct 20, 2009

Thank you. :) I have been leaning towards CSU already.

Lajimolala, BSN, RN, NP · Oct 21, 2009

I totally agree with TheCommuter. I have a friend who is a new grad, and she attended a REALLY prestigious nursing school that was also private, and the loans were huge. She's been working for about a year now and she told me that if she had the chance, she would have gone to community college because she's not making any more than an ADN nurse who paid $5,000 for their entire nursing education.

Also, my program is 2 1/2 years, downsized from an original three years... and it's I-N-T-E-N-S-E. I am so burnt out right now, I would do anything to stretch out this program to another semester to make it three full years, instead of 2 1/2. When you look at it from the beginning, an extra year seems daunting. But while you're in the program, you feel overwhelmed with information. Everything you hear about nursing school is true. I have so much stuff crammed into my head, and no matter how much I study (and I do mean 10- or 12- hour study sessions), I'm never "caught up." Gosh, I don't even know what that word means anymore.

I don't know what CSU San Bernardino's faculty is like, but I also attend a CSU, and the nursing faculty here sooooooooooo amazing!! They care so much for their students, and truly want to see us succeed. So just because they're a CSU, don't assume that they won't care as much. I love my professors and the School of Nursing staff. They are so helpful and so willing to help any way they can. We actually have a staff member who was let-go because of the budget cuts, and guess what? She still advises at-risk for failing students on a volunteer basis!! She actually gave us her HOME phone number!! How amazing is that?? I love my school.

Anyway, so I guess I don't have to say which school I would choose if I were in your shoes.... Lol. But you said that you were leaning towards CSU. Go with your gut feeling. :)

Juntra · Oct 21, 2009

Oh, thank you, water83! That was really helpful!

LoveThisNurse · Nov 1, 2009

Hi!

CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!! :yeah:

I actually have to disagree! I'm actually a CSUSB RN graduate. I graduated this past June and thank God I have a job. I'm so happy that you got accepted to both schools! Not sure if you made your decision. My sister graduated from LLUSN. So while I was at CSUSB, my sis was at LLU and we were both attending nursing school at the same time. (Did you ever stop by the peer advising center? I was a peer advisor!) Anyways, my sister's loan equal to about $80,000. For my 9 quarters at CSUSB, they equate to about $12,000, not including books, materials, gas money, uniforms etc which quickly add up. Regardless of what school you go to, nursing school is hard. You're going to be given reading assignments which the professors can't even handle. You are going to be tested and pushed to the limit. It's part of the territory..

I always envied my sis because she went to LLU. There's just something I thought was missing at csusb. I wanted to be back in a christian environment. I wanted to mesh christian faith with medicine and incorporate that into my nursing care. It was great to go to csusb because it was a public school. You have so many different views. Sometimes being in a school like LLU can be one sided. But I'm sure when it comes to medicine, you bring everything to the table. When I left csusb, about 4 instructors left to pursue other areas. I mean these where like the best instructors too. The taught the core courses. It was sad but it sure did get everyone thinking. There is a budget crisis going on too, so that could play a factor. Also, our dept chair was replaced. So there are a lot of changes going on there. So if you kinda want to be in the forefront of all the change while it's happening, hopefully for the better, then go ahead. If you want to be in a more stable environment, go to LLU. I know some students who started last fall and this fall, and they are all complaining to me!!! It's sad.. .. but after all the hoopla, i can say that i loved my time at csusb.. i had some great times and some horrible times.. that's with any program.... i just tried to focus on education, and if i felt i wasn't getting good education from the faculty for some reason.. i hit the books.. you have to be a self learner sometimes......

... my choice would be LLUSN...

I mean, the money is such a huge factor. But you know, you can pay it off.. it may take a while.. but you'll have a great job where you will make great money.. can't say that for everyone now in this economy.. but hopefully by the time you finish, the economy would be more stable..start getting your finances in order now, regardless of what school you go to. open a savings account and put a little bit away if you can to help pay off loans and/or other expenses for nursing school... also while in nursing school, that's the best time to market yourself!!!! when you do clinicals, hospitals are looking a you.. the nurses are too... so be on your best behavior and showcase your best nursing care! a lot of nursing students get job offers during their program.....

But totally make it your choice!!!!!!!

If you have any other questions...... PM ME!!!!!!!!!! I'm all ears....

Juntra · Nov 1, 2009

OMG. After reading your post, LoveThisNurse, you made this decision more difficult! I'm going to think a lot harder right now. Before you posted, some people have already been telling me about the budget crisis at the CSUs and something about class cuts. I didn't think they would cut any nursing classes, would they? Thinking about stability, LLU does sound nice, along with the Christian environment.

I'll be giving these two schools some good thought!

itsivonne · Nov 15, 2009

Crescentgirl

i currently go to cal state san bernardino and have just applied for both llu and csusb nursing programs. what interview questions did they ask you for the llu interview ive heard you have to write an essay also?

LoveThisNurse · Nov 16, 2009

Crescentgirl
i currently go to cal state san bernardino and have just applied for both llu and csusb nursing programs. what interview questions did they ask you for the llu interview ive heard you have to write an essay also?

[Edit: Sorry, I didn't know this question was directed towards a specific person]

Before I applied to nursing school, I applied to LLU too. That was about 4 years ago. For me, they really just wanted to know about you. Kind of like a job interview. Remember the things you wrote in your application essay so you can be prepared to talk about it or refer to it. And YES you do have to write an essay before your interview. I'm pretty sure it hasn't changed. When I arrived for the interview, there was a lined sheet of paper with a question ready for me to answer. I was SHOCKED! I wasn't prepared!!! But I just kind of wrote from my mind and heart. Not sure if it's timed. Can anyone else add to ivonnebon's question?

itsivonne · Nov 16, 2009

thank you so much

the question was directed to anyone really actually

so did you end up attending loma linda for nursing school?

everyone keeps telling me im going to be so much in debt

but it can be paid off so im not that worried about it im more

worried about getting IN to nursing school

LoveThisNurse · Nov 16, 2009

thank you so much
the question was directed to anyone really actually
so did you end up attending loma linda for nursing school?
everyone keeps telling me im going to be so much in debt
but it can be paid off so im not that worried about it im more
worried about getting IN to nursing school

No, I ended up going to CSUSB. My sis went to LLU for nursing school and yeah, the debt IS FOR REAL. Her monthly payment is HORRENDOUS :eek: It's good to know what you'll be going into before you apply, but don't let that stop you from applying anywhere you want. The money issue is a real issue and I don't want to blow it over like it's not a big deal. BUT, you are not going into a profession where when you get a job, you can't pay your bills or can't just live. I mean, at the rate CSUSB is going, fees are going to be equal to any private institution! You go there, so you know exactly what I'm talking about Yes, so make sure you've got what it takes to enter nursing school (grades, test scores etc :specs: ) because if you don't have that, you won't even be able to make the decision on what school you can attended. Goodluck :yeah: I'm sure you're doing great :up:

LoveThisNurse · Nov 16, 2009

I just got accepted to CSU San Bernardino and Loma Linda's BSN programs. My family and I have been discussing all week about which school I should go to. I don't know much about what each nursing program is like. I'm just happy they're both close enough to my home so I can commute everyday.
Loma Linda looks like a great school with a great hospital, and the environment looks really nice to be in. I don't mind the weekly chapel and religion classes that are required. I do worry a little that they might give me an extra load of studying. It seems like the faculty could be nice people and will care about their students. I also like how I can complete the BSN program in two years. The biggest problem about Loma Linda is the cost. It's a private school so it's going to really expensive, and I'll be in debt for a long time.
Cal State San Bernardino looks like a really good school, since they say they get like 400 applicants. Unlike Loma Linda, their BSN program is three years. But even though it's three years, it's still A LOT cheaper than Loma Linda. But three years also means the program isn't all compressed into two years; it would be less intense.
So what school do you think is better to attend overall?
I'd love to hear some more input from you guys!
Thank you!

So what did you choose?! If you don't mind ..