Any thoughts on either CSU Long Beach's entry-level BSN and/or CSU Sacramento's entry-level BSN?
I am currently applying to both programs and I have a competitive application. Also, I currently live with my boyfriend about 30 minutes south of CSULB, but I also have some family near Sacramento. I know Sac State's program is 4 semesters long versus CSULB which is 6 semesters. It's great that Sac State's program is shorter for financial reasons, but it also means I will have to be far away from my boyfriend (of 4 years) so I am not too sure if I am completely sold on going to Sac State if I get in. It's quite the emotional dilemma. Any suggestions as far as things I should consider or positive/negative experiences with either program that may help me decide where to go should I end up getting into both programs?
Thanks so much! Oh and as far as trimester or basic program, I think I am leaning towards the trimester program just because I really want to keep my like expenses down since my only means of paying for school will be private loans and I have to pay rent so the longer I am in school the more loans I have to take out. It sucks though because it would be nice to have summers to work a CNA job or volunteer a lot in the hospital, plus I hear the trimester program is way more stressful. I really wish I had more of a choice, but we're talking like $12k in cost difference plus interest. I don't think a summer job could make up for the difference. Which program are you leaning towards? Do you know if one program is bigger than the other? I heard that sometimes the cohort isn't divided 50/50 between the two and they placed more people in the trimester program.
Is the $12k cost including your rent etc. ? I thought the difference in cost between the trimester and basic program is $1-2k. I'm more interested in the trimester program because I don't want to waste any more time. Every summer I've been taking classes anyway, I guess I'm boring and don't do much in the summer lol. I know it'll be harder than the basic program but I am up for the challenge. I plan to get the nutrition and pharmacology course done in the summer if I'm admitted. I'm not exactly sure how they split the two cohorts, it seems different every semester.
Yes, the $12k is including the extra year of rent, groceries, car insurance, etc. Don't get me started on boring, haha! I have been taking classes every summer too and I barely ever "go out" unless you count the occasional dinner and weekly workout/hike. I feel like I am always either working or studying, but you know what, that's the life of a lot of us pre-nursing/nursing students and I truly cannot wait to be surrounded by nursing students who work hard just like us :) It will be nice to finally have less competition and be able to focus more on helping each other succeed! I am actually taking nutrition and pharm right now. Nutrition will be super easy and pharm is interesting but takes A LOT of studying. I do like pharm though since it really teaches you how to start thinking like a nurse. Where do you stand in terms of admission? I know there's been so much speculation on the Fall 2012 CSULB thread as to whether they have already chosen the alternates or not. I went to an info session this past fall and I remember them saying that if you have an interview and you can speak English then you're basically in. But people are really freaking out It's insane that we still won't find out until late April! I can just imagine how much anxiety everyone will be feeling between now and then. Hopefully everyone who's interviewed and wants to go to CSULB will get in!
I did speak to a current CSULB nursing student and she said the interview is really relaxed and just consists of some exercises to see how well you pay attention to detail, give/receive directions, and how you felt about the interview. So it's nothing to worry about! We just have to be ourselves and show them that we are fit to be California's future nurses :)
Yes, the $12k is including the extra year of rent, groceries, car insurance, etc. Don't get me started on boring, haha! I have been taking classes every summer too and I barely ever "go out" unless you count the occasional dinner and weekly workout/hike. I feel like I am always either working or studying, but you know what, that's the life of a lot of us pre-nursing/nursing students and I truly cannot wait to be surrounded by nursing students who work hard just like us :) It will be nice to finally have less competition and be able to focus more on helping each other succeed! I am actually taking nutrition and pharm right now. Nutrition will be super easy and pharm is interesting but takes A LOT of studying. I do like pharm though since it really teaches you how to start thinking like a nurse. Where do you stand in terms of admission? I know there's been so much speculation on the Fall 2012 CSULB thread as to whether they have already chosen the alternates or not. I went to an info session this past fall and I remember them saying that if you have an interview and you can speak English then you're basically in. But people are really freaking out It's insane that we still won't find out until late April! I can just imagine how much anxiety everyone will be feeling between now and then. Hopefully everyone who's interviewed and wants to go to CSULB will get in!
I did speak to a current CSULB nursing student and she said the interview is really relaxed and just consists of some exercises to see how well you pay attention to detail, give/receive directions, and how you felt about the interview. So it's nothing to worry about! We just have to be ourselves and show them that we are fit to be California's future nurses :)
At least you workout, I'm such a lazy bum. Only productive thing I do besides school is volunteer. I'm excited to meet life-long friends in the nursing program too! It's hard for friends in other majors to understand the stress we go through and the extremity of the competition. What is the name of the nutrition you are taking? And are you taking both in class or online? I've heard the same about the interview, pretty sure they already know who's "in" and who's an "alternative" beforehand. Hopefully I won't get super nervous and be super quiet, but I am a bit relieved that this interview doesn't really determine whether we're in or out.
Spiffyness, its never too late to start taking care of yourself :) maybe some of the nursing students can go on fast-paced walks on our breaks from classes to blow of some steam and take care of ourselves in the process. I'm seriously so excited for the possibilities that lie ahead! I am taking nutrition in person through Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, the course code is FN50. They also offer it online though. I know Irvine Valley College also offers an online nutrition class. I personally really enjoy taking the class in-person but I have heard that the online nutrition course at saddleback and IVC is not that bad. At least at that point grades basically don't matter as long as you pass.
Oh geez. If I do get in, I will have a full loaded first semester! Good I would be choosing the basic option though. No need to get the trimester option and rush through school, especially when there isn't any nursing jobs (seriously, if you dont believe me, ask all of the unemployed new grads). That extra year could maybe give the economy time to correct itself.
Maybe if I get in I will take some online summer class. Is it pathophys or pharm that you can take online in one of the colleges down there? I can't do that drive everyday for class. BUT I really don't want that jam packed of a first semester either!
Phoenix,Have you taken nutrition yet? If not definitely take nutrition! It's such an easy class. I believe I saw a post on the CSULB Fall 2012 thread about someone taking pharmacology online, though I forget the name of the college they took it at (it might have been Citrus college but I'm not sure).I wish the basic program was an option for me, but I really can't afford it if I can avoid it But you know what, there's always the option of going out of state for that first year of nursing experience if need be. I'm going to have so many loans to pay so I'll do anything (as long as its a hospital job) lol. You do what you have to do to get by, right? It's pretty sad how even after graduating from a nursing program we still have to stress about finding a job. I hope this economy turns around!
The nutrition was at Long Beach City College and its also F/N20 and online. It's strange cause I already took Introductory nutrition at CSULB and it says that its equivalent to FN20 at LBCC on assist.org. I'm going to have to ask if I still have to take the other NUTR, which sucks if I do. But I will just take it online in the summer (if I'm even admitted!)
I would call ---- and ask her about it before you sign up for a class you may not even need. I am pretty sure an intro to nutrition class is equivalent to Nutr 339. If anything the intro to nutrition class covers more than we need to know.
Yeah I will be sure to if I am for sure going to CSULB. It should be equivalent, because for all the other colleges I applied to the introductory course I took satisfies the requirement. Ahh Wednesday is coming so soon! I'm excited/anxious. Do you think they would let us know whether were an alternate or not since they already have the top people based on scores?
I think they probably won't tell us who the alternates are at the interview because that would sort of defeat the purpose of making us wait to find out if we got accepted since its pretty obvious that if you aren't an alternate and you had an interview then you're in. You can try though! I heard that they have a short Q&A session at the end of the interview so we'll have a chance to ask them all about admissions and the program. Try to put those nerves aside and get yourself stoked for the interview. Your enthusiasm will show and can do nothing but help you :) Keep it positive!
It's insane that we still won't find out until late April! I can just imagine how much anxiety everyone will be feeling between now and then. Hopefully everyone who's interviewed and wants to go to CSULB will get in!
cali_nature_girl
75 Posts
Thanks so much! Oh and as far as trimester or basic program, I think I am leaning towards the trimester program just because I really want to keep my like expenses down since my only means of paying for school will be private loans and I have to pay rent so the longer I am in school the more loans I have to take out. It sucks though because it would be nice to have summers to work a CNA job or volunteer a lot in the hospital, plus I hear the trimester program is way more stressful. I really wish I had more of a choice, but we're talking like $12k in cost difference plus interest. I don't think a summer job could make up for the difference. Which program are you leaning towards? Do you know if one program is bigger than the other? I heard that sometimes the cohort isn't divided 50/50 between the two and they placed more people in the trimester program.