CSULB ELM 2013 Hopefuls!

U.S.A. California

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Hey!

Just wanted to start a thread for those of you planning to apply for the 2013 ELM cohort! Let's hope funding goes through and the program will be good to go for next fall!

So excited! Look forward to seeing/hearing from those who will also be applying! Good luck :)

Congrats to all who have been accepted to ELM7!! I remember the excitement we had for ELM6 two years ago. Some quick information:

  • I had heard that the program switched to a 4-year program due to the insane nature of a 3 year program. That is something that needs to be clarified at Orientation. 4 years isn't bad as ELM6 thought that the 16 months BSN portion was insane in terms of speed and content.
  • Consider taking the co-requisites elsewhere.
    • Moorpark College has an online summer course for patho (It wasn't a great course in general).
    • Golden West has pharm for the summer (good professor).
    • I took Nutrition in the winter prior at Mt. SAC (good instructor).
    • Taking the co-reqs before the fall will help lighten the load for the fall. Don't feel compelled to as probably 75% of ELM6 still needed at least one of those courses with about half needing all 3.

    [*]Start saving money just in case you have winter and summer classes. Financial aid did not (and still doesn't) cover those two intersessions. There has been discussions of including summer for financial aid but I'm not sure if it'll pass in time for Summer 2014. ELM6 felt slammed by the financial reality train for Winter 2012 and Summer 2012.

    [*]Quick facts about ELM6:

    • 45 started the program
    • 4 dropped out (mainly for personal reasons)
    • 41 took the NCLEX and ALL passed on first try
    • 3 left after getting their BSN and are now working
    • 39 currently in MSN program

    [*]Possible MSN routes: pediatrics, women's health, family, psych, and adult/gero.

When is ELM7's orientation? I'm guessing first week of June?

I just created a facebook page for us

name: CSULB ELM NURSING FALL 2013

If you can't find it, try my email address: [email protected]

I can't wait to meet everyone!

@siberiantiger thanks so much for the tips! How are you liking the program? Also, how often are you on campus for class and in the hospital on a weekly basis? Anything you didn't like about the program? Any other tips or advice is much appreciated!

The simple answer is that I like the program enough to still be in it.

We were on campus for about 3 days each week during the fall and spring semesters. Clinicals are usually 12 hour shifts twice a week.

Things that ELM6 didn't like? Aside from the usual (some instructors aren't the greatest), there were times we felt that we weren't listened to or respected. Sometimes we felt that we were the ugly stepchild next to the regular BSN, trimester BSN, and ADN-BSN cohorts. But that shouldn't deter you as ELM6 was probably the tightest, most supportive cohort that CSULB has ever seen. I expect ELM7 to be just as cohesive and successful.

Other tips: Don't live an hour away from campus. Don't plan a wedding during the program. Be ready to use "Sorry, I can't; I have to study" as the excuse for everything. Look at the academic calendar to plan your vacation (a few weeks in Dec, spring break, 1.5 weeks in May).

Also, do not think that Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays are off-limits for clinicals. It's not like the hospitals are closed on those days. So there may be some clinicals that you might have to sacrifice those days. There are of course pros and cons to having clinicals on the weekend.

Don't live an hour away from campus? I am planning on commuting to school, but it'll be about an hour due to traffic. Would it be that nad to commute? Did anyone commute from the program? I just want to be prepared for everything before I decide on what program to attend!

Typo: that bad to commute*

My commute was from Pasadena for the first year. It does take a toll but it's doable. We have cohort members driving from LA, west LA, and south OC. Just not the most ideal situation. Worst situation we had was that one clinical rotation had students commuting from West LA to Mission Viejo on Fridays and Saturdays. You can imagine what kind of drive it would be after a 12 hour shift to go home in traffic. Best scenario we had were some cohort members who lived across the street from CSULB and had rotations at Long Beach VA (which is next door to CSULB).

I'm debating between these 2 schools too. I think I'm going to choose csulb though

I think I'll be choosing csulb too. Now I need to find a place to live.. I'm from NorCal and don't know anyone in LA. Also, I've made an fb page. U can refer to my previous post for it.

@siberiantiger : thanks so much for the information, really appreciate it. Could you possibly comment on the msn specialty portion, are students guaranteed the specialty that they want?

@siberiantiger : thanks so much for the information, really appreciate it. Could you possibly comment on the msn specialty portion, are students guaranteed the specialty that they want?

Yes, you will be able to get into the specialty that you want. I do want to mention that there is no Acute Care NP route.

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