Any CSULA 2008 ELMN Applicants?

galore1987 · Mar 31, 2008

Hi,

Did you get in??

I haven't heard anything yet. It's probably not looking to good for me if they are notifying applicants of acceptance.

But, congrats if you did get in!

Thanks!

verruca_freeze · Mar 31, 2008

Hi '87,

Thanks!

I got an acceptance email, which seemed really weird and unofficial (I'm used to getting the news via snail mail), so I wanted to see if other people were getting notified this way. The website said that decisions would be made by April 1, so I don't think it's necessarily bad news if you haven't heard yet.

Also, please don't let it get you down if you don't get in. I didn't get in last year so I spent a lot of time volunteering & had a really wonderful break from school.

azaleas · Apr 1, 2008

I was also notified by email that I got in! I spoke with the coordinator who said we will get something in the mail sometime soon; I think she just wanted confirmation from the 20 that were accepted? And I assume if any were to turn CSULA down, they would contact other applicants... I chose CSULA after much thought, primarily because of tuition and the NP goal, rather than a generic master's. I spoke with the coordinator (who is also a full time faculty member) and after finding out more about the program and past cohorts (NCLEX pass rate, low dropout), I'm pretty encouraged about this program. Also, I like the fact that part-time work during the NP portion is required. I know we will always have just ELMN students in our classes, so I'm sure we'll get pretty close!

verruca_freeze · Apr 1, 2008

Congrats, Azaleas! CSULA was my top choice, too, because of the NP option. I didn't even realize we worked during the NP portion. That's great news!

galore1987 · Apr 2, 2008

Turns out I got in!! Yay!! I am so releived.

Looking forward to getting more information regarding specifices such as orientation/tuition/schedule.

This is the only link regarding tuition I could find:

http://www.calstatela.edu/univ/finaid/cost.htm

Let me know if you guys find any useful info!

azaleas · Apr 2, 2008

Congratulations galore!! I'm glad your worries are over =)

If you applied for fafsa, I heard we'll be getting our financial aid packages in May, and that in the first quarter anyway, it'll be mostly fed loans (maybe grants, but not likely).

I was told in the summer quarter we'll have labs on campus and clinicals will start fall quarter. I'm wondering whether to commute from an hour away (though most everyone is telling me it's not worth the traffic on the 5 at rush hour) or look into on campus apartments... are both of you commuting?

RT2RN · Apr 3, 2008

i am in the cohort ahead of you. about 1/3 of us commute similar or greater distances. it isn't bad--the biggest negative about it is the cost of gas, and the potential loss of study time.

i live in simi valley. regardless of the time of day, i allow 1 1/2 hours to get to school. i don't think a trip has ever taken more than that, and sometimes it is way less. as far as it being a waste of time, i car pool so we can study (but often we talk which is surprisingly therapeutic--which is valuable considering the pace and pressure of the program). car pooling also cuts down on the cost.

if i were single and could find a room mate i would love to live closer, but i don't think i would do so if i were going to live alone.

good luck and congratulations. my cohort plans to be available to help you guys along the way. we are trying to make arrangements to be at your orientation and/or meet you somehow as soon as possible so that we can share with you things that might help in your transition, and your future sucess.

you really will become a close group as you pull together to get through the experience together

verruca_freeze · Apr 3, 2008

Yay '87! Congratulations!

RT2RN - Thanks for posting! I'd love to hear more about your experiences. Does it seem like everyone in your cohort is managing well?

Re: commuting - I live in Mid-City, and taking the 10E in the mornings and the 10W in the evenings is not a bad commute (20-30 min each way).

azaleas · Apr 3, 2008

RT2RN,

Thank you for the insight. It is somewhat comforting to know that others are in the same situation, especially those already in the program. Your comment about living alone makes me consider the aspect of emotional support and how important that is. And I definitely see how talking during the commute can be therapeutic. I look forward to getting to hear from you again and other current students! That would be such a great resource to have. Do you have any advice on how those waiting to start this summer should prepare (looking at nclex books, reviewing anatomy, etc...)?

And veruca--thanks for your reply. I graduated from a school where 80% of students lived on campus, but I'm learning how cal states are definitely more of commuter schools.

2bNurseLaEnfermera · Apr 3, 2008

i know this is a silly question to ask, but i'm hoping someone from the prior cohort can answer this question.

nursing is very different from other academic disciplines. it's not as discreet as studying for anthropology. any tips on studying and how to succeed in a nursing program?

RT2RN or anybody in the prior cohort, i'm deciding between attending a private school or going to a public school. money is not the issue here. i was wondering if u could give us the pros/cons of the program. super thanx!

RT2RN · Apr 4, 2008

do you have any advice on how those waiting to start this summer should prepare (looking at nclex books, reviewing anatomy, etc...)?

a general review of anatomy couldn't hurt but not specifics (muscles or bones), more on body systems. an nclex book is actually a good idea if it is broken down into sections which teach prior to the questions so that it actually teaches you some salient things that you can build on. (another plus for this would be that you would probably end up buying some of those books later anyway.) if you go that route then topics that i think would be helpful to be familiar with prior to coming into school would be: electrolytes, acid-base balance, and a review of body systems (just a review of components and function not really totally trying to relearn them). looking at disorders of those systems now could also be useful (especially regarding infections & wounds (integumentary), disorders of the heart are big but there are too many to know and a good review of the physiology of the heart would be wise. the kidneys are also massively important so a good review of their anatomy and physiology wouldalso be a good use of your time [go down to nephrons, loop of henle etc]. they will come up a lot because they are related to regulating many things, or being part of it (i.e. body fluid, acid-base balance, body ca, and blood pressure etc [will save you time if you understand the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone now]). another major health issue that comes up every quarter is diabetes, so if you are ambitious you could start looking at now.

hope it helps. i will address the other questions later, but have no more time now. i have told my cohort about this thread on allnurses.com, and hopefully tye will provide some more information for you guys too. they are a great group as i am sure yours will be. good luck.