San Diego North County RN hopeful Advice

RNof2014 · Jun 21, 2011

I have applied to the generic/basic at CSUSM for fall 2011. I won't find out if I got in until July 1st, but I can share with you some information I have found helpful along the way. As far as getting into the CSUSM program, I have heard it is harder to get into than SDSU, largely because they only accept about 40 students a year. I highly recommend looking at the point system on their website! If you have all of your pre-reqs done, I would suggest enrolling in a CNA class at Palomar or MiraCosta College. It will get you extra points and (from what I have heard) will be super helpful in the program. I didn't have time to take it, as I just finished all of my pre-reqs in the spring, but wish I could have. Also, there is an internship at Palomar Pomerado Hospital which can give you volunteer points for the program. Everyone that I have talked to really loved the internship, you can find more info at their website. I know they only recruit every three months, so you'll have to check when the next interview dates are. It is pretty lengthy, about 250 hours total, but like I said, everyone I know loves it! If you still need your pre-reqs, I can recommend some teachers at MiraCosta. I did all of mine there and really loved all of the teachers that I had. I know this was a pretty long post, but hopefully it helped! If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.

luv_o_so_much · Jun 21, 2011

I missed the deadline for fall 2011 app for CSUSM because I could not get into Chem.... I ended up having to take another class to apply anyway. I have asked the advisors at CSUSM how my experience relates and have never recieved a solid answer. I am not a CNA but have worked in a supportive role that provides direct patient care since 2008. Perhaps I should go ahead and apply for the volunteer internship you mentioned. My GPA isn't as solid as I would like. My hospital HR cannot provide the actual hours I have worked. I am going to see if Payroll can for my next application.

If you have recommendations for the area B4 Math (took stats but need a transferable B4 - long story) or for A3 Critical Thinking (took Logic at Miracosta but since it was my 3rd time taking it I need a different class). My goal is to take these two at MiraCosta or Palomar in Fall 2011. I am currently enrolled at CSUSM in Fall 2011 for them, but the profs I have do not have great reviews.

I'm so excited for you! Please post or send a message about your results! If you have any questions that I can answer I am more than happy too! I think what you posted was great! Thank you!:)

Snwbdr · Jun 28, 2011

I just graduated from CSUSM. What do you wanna know?

luv_o_so_much · Jun 29, 2011

What was your experience like working with the advisors? Once you were accepted, was it difficult to get into the required upper divsion classes? I know most suggest not working during your 6 semesters of class... did you work? Any tips for balancing that? Example: working as a sitter instead of on the floor. Did you need to buy the IPod without a camera? (I was told you need it for some classes) Compared to your pre reqs, on a scale of 1 -10 (10 being most difficult) which semester was the most challenging academically? (sorry if I misspelled that).

Do you think it would be better to buy a parking pass or take the sprinter? Any tips on parking? (Your opinion is great!)

Did you apply more than once to get in?

Thank you for offering to answer any or all of these. Don't feel committed to respond to all of them! I appreciate anything you can share! :)

I lost my job last year while taking classes, so Im at the end of my finances. Hoping to feel confident about application by end of this Fall when I will have all prereqs complete! Im so nervous I won't get in Fall of 2012. Any tips on application would be welcome! I know many will appreciate it! :heartbeat:eek: :clown:

Snwbdr · Jul 2, 2011

what was your experience like working with the advisors?

i actually didn't work with the advisors before i was accepted, other than to submit my paperwork and whatnot. my advice is look at the admission point criteria, and try to get them all. sounds kinda generic, but that's as simple as it gets. volunteer, get work experience points if you work (cna/emt, whatever), foreign language points are super easy to get, and of course, do well on the teas and in your pre-req courses.

once you were accepted, was it difficult to get into the required upper divsion classes?

no because the upper division classes are designed only for nursing students. you have to have a permission code to enroll in those courses (which you'll get from the advisors), so nobody else who's not a nursing student can take those courses. not that they'd want to anyways

i know most suggest not working during your 6 semesters of class... did you work? any tips for balancing that?

i had a non-nursing job, and was able to balance it. time-management is key! many of my classmates also had to work during school, and they were able to do it.

did you need to buy the ipod without a camera? (i was told you need it for some classes)

yes. you also need to purchase a software package that is used during your clinicals. i wouldn't worry about that right now however.

compared to your pre reqs, on a scale of 1 -10 (10 being most difficult) which semester was the most challenging academically? (sorry if i misspelled that).

compared to pre-req's, all the semesters were harder. i don't want to scare or discourage you, but nursing school is a lot of work! but you can adapt and succeed if you're focused.

do you think it would be better to buy a parking pass or take the sprinter? any tips on parking? (your opinion is great!) the best thing about csusm is that the school of nursing is located off-campus (we're across the street). so we never had to pay for parking for our classes. if you're still taking courses at the university (i did), then you can either carpool up and buy a day pass, or walk up to campus (about 10 mins).

did you apply more than once to get in? nope! got in first try:yeah:

thank you for offering to answer any or all of these. don't feel committed to respond to all of them! i appreciate anything you can share! :)

i lost my job last year while taking classes, so im at the end of my finances.

apply for scholarships and financial aid....there's plenty of money out there. don't be scared of taking out a student loan....nursing pays decently enough so you'll be able to pay it back, as long as you're not taking out ridiculous amounts.....

hoping to feel confident about application by end of this fall when i will have all prereqs complete! im so nervous i won't get in fall of 2012. any tips on application would be welcome! i know many will appreciate it! :heartbeat:eek: :clown:

like i said, make sure you have as many points as possible.....that's what it'll all boil down to. good luck and feel free to shoot me any more questions.

luv_o_so_much · Jul 6, 2013

I just wanted to thank you both! I did complete 360 hours of the PPH internship (I already had a job at a hospital but also took an emt class). I heeded the advice from both of you and now I am starting at CSUSM generic BSN in the fall. Thank you for taking the time to respond to my post. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it! Good luck in your futures!