California State University, Sacramento (Sac State) Spring 2025 BSN Program

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Hello everyone, I wanted to make a forum for us applying to Sacramento State's Spring 2025 cohort for the BSN program to hopefully discuss the application and maybe some other questions we have. It might be helpful for us and future applicants as well!

blushes96 said:

@Etiamfox hi me too, I got waitlisted as well and I applied with 73 point😭

@blushes96 I'm  sorry you were waitlisted too.  I also have 73 points. Where are you on the list? Hopefully we both make it in 😬

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Alya said:

Hi Ansh! What is something that you wished you've done before starting first semester or what is something that you wished you've done knew earlier? Is it possible to work at least one day of a random job in first semester? 

You'll get some stuff (abbreviations, med math, med lists) before the semester starts that you can start working on. Getting as much of that memorized and studied would be great.
I think the biggest learning curve in nursing school is the NCLEX-style questions. I'm not sure how you can prepare as you won't know the basic facts to utilize practice questions right now, but see if you can. Maybe look up some basic ones on ABCs and the nursing process?  I'll give some more specific advice for the classes once you guys are about to start!
It's possible to work during nursing school, but it is just going to depend on you. I know some people who can absolutely pull off working while in nursing school, but also know some who couldn't.

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Tram Mai said:

Hi Ansh, would you recommend any sources we should read or know to be prepare for the first sem?

I would avoid doing any serious studying on anything the school doesn't provide you because it might just waste your time. They will give you some stuff you can do before school starts, getting that done whenever it's available would be the best use of your time.

If you really want to do some things before that:
Maybe look at some YouTube videos on the nursing process, clinical judgment, ABCs, Inflammation, SIRS, dysphagia, and vital signs. Those are the topics you'll cover early on. But again, I would avoid doing any real memorization, unless it's material from our school.
You could also do some basic NCLEX-style questions on the nursing process, clinical judgment, ABCs, and vitals if you'd like. A big part of nursing school is just learning how to do NCLEX-style questions.

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Hi Ansh! I wanted to ask since I know this is a 4 semester BSN program do you think the workload is difficult or do we need to plan to study for lots of hours outside of class? I think I'm just nervous because it seems like a lot of work and I'm hoping the professors help set you up for success? What do you think? 

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Steffazie said:

Hi Ansh! I wanted to ask since I know this is a 4 semester BSN program do you think the workload is difficult or do we need to plan to study for lots of hours outside of class? I think I'm just nervous because it seems like a lot of work and I'm hoping the professors help set you up for success? What do you think? 

It is pretty difficult, and you should plan to study a lot outside of class. It's totally okay to be nervous; I felt the same! The professors do help set you up for success and care, but there is just a lot to study and do. Have some good time management skills, and use a calendar and to-do list to plan out what you need to do. All the students here are amazing too, everyone helps each other out and gives advice. If you ever find yourself struggling, reach out to your classmates, the upper semesters, and your professors!

If you've made it into the program, you are absolutely capable of doing great. It's difficult but worth it!

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@Etiamfox Hi, I am number 5 on the waitlist. I hope so too, last cohort many people declined, so I think we have a great chance!

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Ansh said:

Congratulations to those of you who got accepted! I'm a 2nd semester student if anyone has questions 🙂

That's exciting! I am wondering what resources or study strategies have you found most helpful in the nursing program? I'm not the best at learning from textbooks. Do you have any tips or resources, like videos, study groups, or apps, that worked well for you in the program?

Also, what's one thing you wish you had known or done differently when you started the program?

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Ansh said:

Congratulations to those of you who got accepted! I'm a 2nd semester student if anyone has questions 🙂

Hi Ansh! 
I was wondering what equipment or materials we have to purchase for the program? It sounds like they'll send an email at the end of December, but I'm hoping to catch some Black Friday sales if possible. 

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blushes96 said:

That's exciting! I am wondering what resources or study strategies have you found most helpful in the nursing program? I'm not the best at learning from textbooks. Do you have any tips or resources, like videos, study groups, or apps, that worked well for you in the program?

Also, what's one thing you wish you had known or done differently when you started the program?

-Using my iPad and screen recording while scrolling through the PowerPoint slides during lectures, so I pretty much have a recorded lecture to look back at after class. During class, I just pay attention to the lecture and make a notes here and there. When I got home, I would make very thorough flashcards while going through the lecture I recorded.
-I like using Anki (a flashcard software), although it is kind of complicated but worth looking into.

Stuff I wish I started doing earlier:
-Lots and lots of NCLEX-style practice questions. Do all the ones in our textbook/resources, some Amazon books like Med-Surg Success or Lippincotts can be helpful, and really just any other way you can do NCLEX-style questions. Just practice it as much as you can.

-During clinical really really try to avoid doing anything that's not patient care. You have clinical packets, but try to set that aside until the last hour or so, along with anything else that's not necessary, even if you think you are done with all your patient care tasks, keep trying to find more patient care tasks, do some oral care, a bed bath, etc.


 

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Really late, but I got in yesterday with 75 points! Congratulations to everyone that got in!! 

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Greetings all, my name is Danny and I am a current 3rd semester student in the nursing program at Sac State. I wanted to connect now since I will be acting as a TA for your cohort. As with Ansh (who is awesome by the way), I will be available for any questions you might have about the onboarding process or strategies for success once you start the program. It's a rigorous program, but as Ansh said, it is also one of the most supportive environments you will ever find. We are a good bunch.

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Specializes in Starting!.
Danny Blackman said:

Greetings all, my name is Danny and I am a current 3rd semester student in the nursing program at Sac State. I wanted to connect now since I will be acting as a TA for your cohort. As with Ansh (who is awesome by the way), I will be available for any questions you might have about the onboarding process or strategies for success once you start the program. It's a rigorous program, but as Ansh said, it is also one of the most supportive environments you will ever find. We are a good bunch.

Hey Danny! Thanks for the support and looking forward to start! Just resigned from my job today and moving up to Sacramento soon 😬 Would you recommend getting any materials (books) in advance? To start getting acclimated?

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