[KOCMOHABT]

Hello everyone. I apologize in advance if I'm not in the right Topic. I am applying to various Nursing schools and one of my choices is Loma Linda University. This school is owned and operated by Seventh-day Adventist Church and I've never attended a christian school and I want to get other people's feedback before I apply here. Thank you for your feedback in advance. Aleks.

[TazziRN]

Oooo.....gonna be a hot topic.......

[caliotter3]

I got all of their info and looked at it as I was considering applying there back when. Somehow I got the impression that it would be too expensive for me. I also decided against going to a school with a religious basis that did not match my faith.

[DeLySh]

I just graduated from Loma Linda University. What would you like to know?

DeLySh

[shock-me-sane]

I don't go there, but do work there as a student nurse while I attend a different BSN program.

I know they are pretty strict as far as the religious aspect...have to attend chapel or whatnot at least once a week (I think they scan your student ID card when you go in). No meat, mustard, caffeine or pepper (you can get fined if you have them in your dorm room). I also believe you sign a contract with something about no cohabitating, sex etc.

As far as the nursing program, I have heard good things. One of the perks is 2 quarters before you graduate with your bachelors you are eligible to sit for the boards...then you just finish up your bachelors degree. But if you quit in between, you can't transfer your license anywhere as you never received an actual degree.

Umm, too expensive for my taste. I go ghetto style with the state school

[KOCMOHABT]

Wow, that was quick. Yeah I kinda wanted to know what the differance is between a regular school and a christian school. You can get fined for having caffeine in your room? Is that true DeLySh? What if I live off campus? What other schools you guys and gals think I should apply to? Thanks again. Aleks.

[DeLySh]

I just graduated on June 10th, 2007. I didn't live on campus (as many of the students didn't) and I don't subscribe to the SDA belief system (I am Catholic) but it was a fabulous program. Yeah, it was expensive but I forged such strong bonds with many of the instructors that I will never be sorry I went there.

For example, just before critical care, I had a terrible event happen in my life and had to take a leave of absence for a quarter. The assistant dean dropped me from my classes and made sure I got a refund on my tuition. A few weeks later, I received a huge gift basket and floral arrangement from the faculty to my home. I was overwhelmed! They were so wonderful to me and it just wasn't when big things were happening.

A friend of mine was having financial difficulty when her car broke down. It was her sole transportation. The school found some emergency money to help her fix her car so that she could continue in her studies.

The faculty makes sure to know who you are and they greet you in the halls when they pass. They stop and ask how your quarter is going and how life is. The majority of them try to make a difference and it shows. They take an interest in their students. We are not just a paycheck to them. Asking for references was a piece of cake because they knew me.

The program was tough but not unmanageable. For more than half of it, I had at least one job (for about six months, I had two) in addition to carrying a full load. They really try to get you as many experiences in clinical as possible. They try to make the most of your time in school.

Yes, it is true that you are required to attend chapel once a week on Wednesdays but even that wasn't terrible. The chapels are nice and are less than an hour. They are built into the school's schedule on Wednesdays. Many times it's like a school assembly where much information is given or they have fantastic speakers to inspire you for the week. If you don't have any classes on Wednesdays, you can apply to be excused for the quarter. I didn't like taking the extra religion courses on top of the nursing curriculum, but there were only two and they were interesting. One of them, I spent the quarter volunteering at the local Blood Bank and had to respond to a book we had to read. That was the whole class! Another religion class I took consisted of 2 hours of lecture with a quiz at the end of each class once a week. That was it. There are many classes to choose from and you can find one to fit your interests. We pray before every class. If you don't want to participate, you just bow your head and be quiet.

They feed you a lot during the quarter but there is no caffeine, pepper, mustard or meat on campus. But many leave campus for lunch, no problem. No one complains if you bring your meat/caffeine/pepper/mustard lunch to school with you and store it in the student kitchen. (I was often seen with a Dr. Pepper in one hand and many others brought Starbucks every morning.)

I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any additional questions.

DeLySh

[TazziRN]

I can understand about the meat and caffeine but why in the world was pepper and mustard frowned on??

I really am curious. I've heard nothing but negative about SDA, not about the beliefs themselves but about how the beliefs are pushed on others.

[DeLySh]

Tazzi,

I'm not exactly sure, but, it was explained to me that they are stimulants in some way. (I'm still confused.) Maybe someone else can answer that question more accurately.

I never felt as though the religion was pushed on me at all. It was more focused on Christianity than soley an SDA belief system. They do reference the religion but that was about it. I didn't feel any pressure to conform or convert. The experience was a very positive one.

DeLySh

[lksalter]

I wouldn't worry too much about SDA school. Loma Linda has a wonderful reputation. I grew up in So. Calif. and then moved to Florida where I had a job in a large SDA hospital. It was very refreshing to work in a Christian hospital. I am So. Baptist and never felt that they pushed their religion on me. We prayed before our staff meetings, but it was not offensive at all. I also had a minor surgery in my hospital and the staff prayed with me. I didn't have any problem with the "no meat" since they cooked great meatless dishes and I can't have caffeine anyway. Hope that helps.