Cal State East Bay (CSUEB) or Samuel Merritt's ABSN????

Nurses General Nursing

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I am awaiting letters (hopefully of acceptance) from several schools, including CSUEB and Samuel Merritt's ABSN program. I would like to get feedback and opinions as to which program is superior, in your opinion. Of course time is one of the biggest factors that sets these two programs apart. It would be nice to get through school in only one year, but is it really worth the cost (financial and social)??? Also, would it be feasible to keep a job during the nursing program at CSUEB...say 24-32 hours/week (at least before starting clinicals)? Any feedback is greatly appreciated!:D

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Specializes in ICU/CCU.

I can't tell you which program is superior, but I can give you advice. I went through SMU's ABSN program and was very happy with it. It was pretty intense but not horribly difficult. I felt very prepared to take the NCLEX, and I got a great job right out of school.

That said, I would recommend that you choose CSUEB over SMU if you get accepted to both schools. Finishing the program quickly is NOT an advantage in this economy. What good is graduating from a very expensive program in one year when there aren't any jobs? It would be better to spend the next couple of years in school while the economy recovers. During that time you can work as an aid or a clerk, take useful electives, and make a lot of professional contacts.

I was very lucky to graduate when I did ('07). I found a job right away, but I have a huge amount in (private!) student loans to repay and only just finished paying off the credit card bills I racked up because I couldn't work during the time I was in the accelerated program (not a matter of free hours but of unpredictable schedule).

I don't blame you for wanting to get your education over with; I certainly did. But you should take the economy into account. More time=more opportunity to prepare for the job market. At CSUEB you will get a BSN without the hefty student loans, and there will be more nursing jobs available when you graduate.

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Thank you for your advice! Those are some of the same thoughts that were going on in my mind but it is nice to have the confirmation.:up::up:

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