Nursing at UC vs CSU

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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I'm a pre-nursing student at a community college. I was set on transferring to CSUS (still as a pre-nursing student) until I got accepted to UCI but as a psych major. Psych was my back up major but after taking a psychology class, I realized it wasn't for me. I've heard of what UCs have to offer compared to CSUs and I really feel like I'm up for the challenge. I tried weighing out the pros & cons but I'm still left in quite a dilemma.

For one, I'm broke. So either way, I'd have to do grants & loans, etc. I am aware that if I do UCI, I'd have to work my tail off to complete the prereqs, change of major application and get into the program at that! That'd probably set me back for at least a year. With CSUS, I'm applying for the program next spring because my GPA is too low (3.69 or something) for competition & I hope on getting it up in the fall. Oh, & my TEAS wasn't so great neither (85%) so I'm thinking of retaking it. I know the pay for a BSN is going to be the same no matter where I go but I couldn't care less on that.. I care more for the kind of nurse I'm going to be.. quality-wise & all. I do plan on grad school & another option is USAF nursing..

Yeah, I need some advice.

Sorry about the novel, I really just feel like I'm stuck in the middle of a four way intersection!!

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Money is a concern. With me, I applied to the three programs that were geographically near me, with no regard as to the type of program. Two were ASN programs and one was a CSU BSN program. I went with the BSN program. Personally, I would apply to all the nursing schools that you have money to send with the applications. Then decide which to attend based upon which ones offer you a seat, how far you would have to drive (or if you would need to move to be closer), what you got offered in the way of financial aid (some schools offer a nice aid package, others offer zilch), etc. Until you start getting accepted, it is hard to predict what your decision will be.

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Specializes in Private Practice- wellness center.

Ditto...I'm not in CA, but I know the difference there typically is when comparing a UC to a CS. Personally, I'd take what I could get into, even an ASN program. Especially considering one really doesn't make all that much more money with the BSN. If you plan on obtaining a graduate degree, many schools offer the RN-MSN program where you are able to skip the BSN entirely.

Hope this help!

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Slow down-you haven't gotten in to either school yet!! My advice (as a fellow pre-nursing student) is take what you can get :) BTW what do you mean by CSUS (there are a couple)...

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Slow down-you haven't gotten in to either school yet!! My advice (as a fellow pre-nursing student) is take what you can get :) BTW what do you mean by CSUS (there are a couple)...

Well the idea is I want to focus on getting into ONE program. That's what I'm trying to do as my tactic.. Of course it's better to have options but I think what most of us fail to do is prioritize. I mean, requirements for nursing programs throughout California are all so different... You can't really qualify for all of them & it's stupid to even try when you know this.. With me deciding whether to do a UC or CSU I can get my head straight in one path & work hard on that. Basically, my main question is which system would provide me the better opportunity for the long term.. cuz like I said I don't plan on being just a nurse forever. If I plan on doing grad school, would it be better to do straight up UC or CSU.

I mean CSU Sacramento.

Thanks for the reply!

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Ditto...I'm not in CA, but I know the difference there typically is when comparing a UC to a CS. Personally, I'd take what I could get into, even an ASN program. Especially considering one really doesn't make all that much more money with the BSN. If you plan on obtaining a graduate degree, many schools offer the RN-MSN program where you are able to skip the BSN entirely.

Hope this help!

The pay doesn't matter to me, like I said. I'm just wondering what's the better deal. Acceptance to a program isn't an issue yet. I just want to get my mind straight on ONE system.. UC or CS

Thanks for the reply!

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for most of the UC's that have a nursing program you got to take classes like gen chem I and II, Gen o-chem I and II. Physic I and II. calc I and II. and so on. I would go for the CSU route unless you are really good w/ those science & math classes. The UC route has harder pre-reqs in my opinion. They are actually similar to the pre-med/pre-pharm pre-reqs.

check out assist.org

and long term-wise. I don't think it really matters if you go to a UC/or a CSU. You can still go to grad-school after it just depends on your grade and experience.

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i see, well i think if you aim for a uc, you will have all the csu pre reqs covered and then some, but uc's require harder classes, like brighten mentioned, and you don't want to ruin your gpa by taking them if you end up applying to a csu. sac state has an excellent nursing program, i am unfamiliar with irvine's but i know if you go to sac state you'll get a great education.

it is possible to be smart about the courses you take, do a little a research (assist.org) and take the right classes to be eligible for more than one school. i'm doing it right now :)

good luck!!

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