Accelerated BSN programs in LA?

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Apr 29, 2014

Money is no object?? WOW! Can you adopt me?

Truth of the matter is - you HAVE to complete pre-requisite courses because the knowledge from these courses form the basis for clinical education. If you want to pay a lot more for the same pre-requisites at a university instead of CC, that's cool.

ABSN programs are very fast-paced & intense - hence the 'accelerated' part of the program description. They are shorter in length because they focus only clinical education. If they included pre-requisites, it would totally eliminate the acceleration & have to be 3-4 years long also. Most accelerated programs also have higher expectations for applicants - including very high cumulative GPA because they need to be sure that students can handle the pace of the program.

It just seems like you may not be clear on the concept.. leaves me scratching my head... sort of like when docs order a "STAT blood culture" - :facepalm:

ichang · Apr 29, 2014

Thanks for the reply! I spent the past few hours researching the accelerated BSN programs and am realizing that what you are saying is in fact what I need to do. I will have to take a year or so taking prerequisites.

The reason money is not of concern isn't because I have a money tree in my yard. I do not prioritize money as much because I am certain I could pay it off within however many years it would take. I paid off $60,000 of my student loans within three years :)

Any recommendations for accelerated BSN programs in the Los Angeles area?

anilos81 · Apr 29, 2014

I just got into CSUF but I don't start until August. I also applied to Cal state La and friends applied to UCLA. All the other accelerated programs I was applying to apply to now are on hold, so my suggestion is to get volunteer and work hours (if possible)! And make sure you have a perfect prerequisite gpa. Also have references ready and letters of rec. I also applied to several adn programs since the odds if me getting into an accelerated program were so slim. Good luck!

ichang · Apr 29, 2014

I just got into CSUF but I don't start until August. I also applied to Cal state La and friends applied to UCLA. All the other accelerated programs I was applying to apply to now are on hold, so my suggestion is to get volunteer and work hours (if possible)! And make sure you have a perfect prerequisite gpa. Also have references ready and letters of rec. I also applied to several adn programs since the odds if me getting into an accelerated program were so slim. Good luck!

Thank you for your reply :) looks like I will have to take classes at a community college. Luckily I like studying

Apologies for my elementary understanding of this topic. What does it mean to be put on hold?

Once again, thank you, everyone for your help! This is really helping me narrow down my options :)

anilos81 · Apr 29, 2014

The accelerated program at Cal State Long Beach is on hold until 2016, that means that it won't be open again until then. Cal State Dominguez Hills was put on hold for 2014, not sure if it will open up again after that. I know Cal State LA is 40,000+, I am sure UCLA is more, and Cal State Fullerton is regular pricing (so much less). All of the schools have detailed info, including pricing, on their nursing pages. Also, they have info sessions, so it's a good idea to start researching now. I did all my pre-reqs at Cypress College, as long as you get A's it doesn't matter where you take them! I took one at a time though, the one semester I attempted two I started slipping in one so I dropped and only finished one.

ichang · Apr 29, 2014

Wow thank you for that :) seems like ucla is a great school for the accelerated bsn. Any other schools anyone can recommend for the ABSN?

TLeeM · Apr 30, 2014

I do not think UCLA has an ABSN program. They have a Masters level program that provides all the core RN courses to sit for the NCLEX and also provides additional coursework to support sitting for Clinical Nurse Leader certification. It is referred to as the MECN program. It is very popular (600 or so applicants this year) and seats around 70 students once a year. The University of California, Los Angeles School of Nursing website has some great information on the program. CSULA has an ABSN option that can also lead to a direct entry into the MSN program. The cost is about $32K for the entire RN portion (15 months/5 quarters). I do hear great things about CSUF and CSULB (when it opens up again). I believe Mount St Mary's College has a program as well. The board of registered nursing (CA) has a list of programs for each level and will also call out if they have an accelerated program - link is below.

Board of Registered Nursing - RN Programs

ichang · Apr 30, 2014

TLeeM, that was extremely helpful! I will definitely add that information to my spreadsheet. Thank you so much!!

Medic2RN, BSN, RN, EMT-P · May 1, 2014

Moved to the California Nursing forum.

ajt87 · Mar 19, 2015

I was wondering if anyone can help shed some light on the pros and cons of some Cal State University ABSN programs in the area. It seems like for the most part they are similar in cost, NCLEX passing rates, and time it would take to finish the program. So I am mainly interested in the reputations of the following programs in terms of job outlook in the area, the readiness and quality of nurses that graduate from there, or general impressions. Anything would help with my decision. Thanks!

CSU Los Angeles: Accelerated BSN w/option of direct entry to MSN, Summer 2015

CSU Northridge: Accelerated BSN, Fall 2015

CSU Fullerton: Accelerated BSN, Fall 2015

CSU Long Beach: Trimester/Semester Basic BSN (also accepts second Bachelor students), Fall 2015

ichang · Mar 20, 2015

You might want to consider Mount Saint Mary's ABSN program. Entrance is the most competitive compared to the schools you listed but it is probably the most highly regarded. From word of mouth, I've also heard that CSULA is really good. That's all I know, I hope someone more informed can chip in!