Any National University of San Diego RN Alumni out there?

U.S.A. California

Updated:   Published

Hello! I'm currently taking the prereqs to apply to the nursing program and have done extensive research. There's one thing missing- feedback from alumni. I've scoured allnurses.com for alumni from National University of San Diego BSN prog but I haven't found had any luck :uhoh3:. If you are an alumni :nurse: please let me know how your experience went. Is there anything you wish someone told you before you began the BSN program? Is there anything you'd change? What was your favorite thing about NU? What was the most challenging and how did you overcome it? Please pass on your words of wisdom. Tips on TEAS, Essay, NCLEX... all feedback is welcome. Congrats on becoming an RN! :bowingpur

Specializes in Emergency Medicine.

Not really... My cohort has had 100% hire rate... People got hired from hospitals in new grad position to taking a full time spot in LnD ED n even ICU... Every school has a downside... It also helped me get into USF MSN program and law school... I know some other colleges that are non accredited or just an associates will not get you far... but go to school where you think is good... but don't let people discourage you... Good Luck!

@ReordonaSRN

Did the school help in job placements/finding jobs or was that left solely up to you?

Did you feel you have enough clinical hours?

Was your curriculum similar to BSN Accelerated Post-Bachelor ?

I'm not worried about the course load or time commitment, I'm ready and willing to study 40+ hours a week if necessary to achieve an A in the course.

My biggest pet peeve with this university is how they don't train their counselors enough to answer questions about the nursing program if you're located anywhere other than SoCal.

Specializes in Emergency Medicine.

What you will find out as a nurse is not everyone is cut out to be nurses... Nursing is a popular field now because of job security.... So many people are switching careers... NU gives people or any school in fact gives people who they think are qualified a chance to become nurses but it is up to the student to make it through the program. Working in the ED is very hard it is fast paced with at times critical patients I also work ICU it's more slow but with critical and at times unstable patients... NU gave me the skills and education to be successful in my job and also as a grad student, which I graduate this year and start my DNP program next year.

You as a student will get what you put in school no more no less... As far as jobs we all placed ourselves in jobs... It was hard but we all interviewed well and we all helped each other as a cohort to find jobs... We all thought because we did not have a preceptorship we would have a hard time finding jobs... But we all weathered the storm and found very good jobs...

I tutor new grads in passing the nclex and there are some students who passed nursing school but cannot pass the nclex after 3,4, or 5 times, which means that they should not have graduated nursing school... I tell them when they come to me after the 5th time for help that I'm not going to teach them nursing school that's something their school should have taught them. Like I said some people are not cut out to be nurses.... Good luck! NU is not all that difficult... Prior to going NU I got into a bad trauma and had to teach myself to read again... Because I had TBI... Traumatic brain injury... I did it while going through nursing school... Because I didn't recognize I had a problem until I attended the program... NU and the professors worked with me to get the necessary tools to become successful and graduate... I didn't graduate with a 4.0 but I did finish with a 3.2... I also was put on probation because of my grades... But I stayed for the help and worked hard at my disability at the time. In my grad program at University of San Francisco I am maintaining a 4.0...

Thanks for all the info!

Which campus did you attend? Was your curriculum similar to the link I posted?

I'm currently on the fence about applying to any schools who offer a 2 year or more ABSN program.

I'm hesitant about meeting with a counselor because from the two or three I've spoken with over the phone, it seems as if they're all trying to push me to meet and sign up without offering any more information that I don't already know.

Specializes in Emergency Medicine.

Sorry for the late reply. I would first apply to a regular state university. There are a lot of schools that charge close to hundred thousand dollars for nursing school and that's for bachelors. I believe National University yet not the cheapest but offered a decent price for Bachelors of science in nursing to finish in a reasonable amount of time. I am not saying that all of the national University nursing school programs are good but from experience the one I attended in San Diego was okay. I would go on the nursing board website and look at the pass rate for each school and try to attend the school that has a 90% or greater pass rate.

@ReordonaSRN

You've given some very excellent answers, thank you!! I've just decided to go to NU, granted with a lot of reservations, but I've done tons of research. Yes, there are pros and cons, and just like you said, that goes for every institution.

I didn't get into any Masters Entry Nursing programs in California...and that was with a 4.0 in ALL my pre-reqs. Even with my impeccable academic record and stellar recommendations, it still wasn't enough, but I suppose that's the nature of the beast in this economic climate. I can't wait another year to reapply on the chance that I MIGHT get in because let's face it, many of us needed that "second career" yesterday.

So thanks for being so honest and forward with your response. It was exactly what I needed to hear. And congrats on getting into USF and good luck with your DNP program, too!

I just stated at national and am going to finish my first english class on sunday. So far I like it but I know I am no where near the program. I am an lvn and I would have to attended the l.a. campus which doesn't have a bridge program, so I'm doing generic entry. My question is about the internship or the lack of. Being an lvn I was hoping that wouldn't really be an issue. But I'm not sure. Does anyone know? As for the whole passing the ATI thing, they are very clear about that when you sign up. I am a good test taker and that's the only reason I feel confident in attending National. It is scary, but a lot of schools have to do something to ensure their passing rate to keep their accreditation.

Specializes in Emergency Medicine.

Don't be over confident because that will keep you from learning but it does help being a great test taker... School is great... and has given me lots of opportunities... I currently still go to school at the University of San Francisco Doctor of Nursing Practice FNP program this is where I obtained my Masters and I also work in the ED... So yes I believe NU has a great program... N no problem with clinical placements...

Specializes in Women’s Health.
Don't be over confident because that will keep you from learning but it does help being a great test taker... School is great... and has given me lots of opportunities... I currently still go to school at the University of San Francisco Doctor of Nursing Practice FNP program this is where I obtained my Masters and I also work in the ED... So yes I believe NU has a great program... N no problem with clinical placements...

Hi ReordonaSRN,

Congratulations on all your success and accomplishments. I have a question regarding National University's BSN program.

Would you say that it is possible to work maybe 30-35 hours a week and still be successful in the program. I would like to keep my job for now, or at least until med-surg, but I don't want to risk failing out of the program.

Any suggestions, advice, or tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanx.

Specializes in Emergency Medicine.

In my class I had a few people that kept their job through school and all the way to graduation... It all depends on how flexible your job is with time off... It's possible but not advisable... It all depends how you absorb the material...

In my masters program I flew once a week back n forth to work in the Bay Area in CA to San Diego CA... Did all my school work attended all my practicums and finished with a 4.0... Everybody told me it was impossible but it's possible because I put my mind to it... Plus I knew there was an end to all the madness... Lol only you know your limitations and don't let anyone tell you anything different... Just be honest with yourself... Plus I believe if you get in to the program that's an opportunity to make more money when you finish... To be successful you have to make sacrifices ;)

Specializes in Women’s Health.
In my class I had a few people that kept their job through school and all the way to graduation... It all depends on how flexible your job is with time off... It's possible but not advisable... It all depends how you absorb the material...

In my masters program I flew once a week back n forth to work in the Bay Area in CA to San Diego CA... Did all my school work attended all my practicums and finished with a 4.0... Everybody told me it was impossible but it's possible because I put my mind to it... Plus I knew there was an end to all the madness... Lol only you know your limitations and don't let anyone tell you anything different... Just be honest with yourself... Plus I believe if you get in to the program that's an opportunity to make more money when you finish... To be successful you have to make sacrifices ;)

Thanx for taking the time to answer. I am going to just take it a week at a time and see how it goes. You are right to be successful you have to make sacrifices.

Hi @ReordonaSRN

I am 19 years old and I have been researching through various forums and websites about the nursing program at National. I was wondering, did you take all your science classes at National? If I take all the science classes including the biomed class, how long will it take me to finish? I am currently a CNA and my class for anatomy starts soon. I need to figure it out if i should take the anatomy/physiology together at National. And also, did you have to take the general education such as arts and humanities before applying to the nursing program? or can you apply even if you haven't finished those arts and humanities?

Thank you!

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