CCSF ADN Program Fall 2014

Rn_miadomsmommy · May 17, 2014

I was at the orientation. I felt it went pretty well. They provided all the information we need about the program and I felt they were pretty straight forward about the whole accreditation thing. I have heard nothing but good things about CCSF's program. I've heard from numerous people that even if they shut their doors, we are guaranteed to finish the program, even if it's at another school. I feel like the whole clinical thing is out of their control because of cpmc and I'm sure they will get a site for us. CCSF's program is pretty recognized so I think we will be good. If you've seen CSMs skills lab, you definitely won't be impressed by CCSF's. Theirs is a lot more old school, whereas csm's almost resembles a real hospital. I was at CSMs orientation today, but I feel like I enjoyed city's more. What are your thoughts about everything? Sorry I feel like I went on forever lol

deee627 · May 17, 2014

Hi, I was also at both. Do you have a school you're leaning more towards? I'm feel confused about City & feel a lot better about CSM. & City seemed disorganized, whereas CSM had all of their program planned out. & I like how we will always know our schedule in advance. I wish I could give City a chance, but I think I'm leaning more towards CSM.

Rn_miadomsmommy · May 17, 2014

I think I'm leaning more towards city. It's a shorter drive for me and I do like how it doesn't change every 8 weeks. I feel like you're kind of jumping from one subject to another. Ccsf includes pharmacology, whereas csm, it's optional right?

My initial bias was csm because I took all my prereqs at skyline so I'm very familiar with the Sam Mateo ccs and their lab is amazing!! :)

deee627 · May 17, 2014

CCSf is a way shorter drive for me too. & I actually kinda like that CSM changes every 8 weeks.. But to each their own lol. Also, you make a good point, CSM doesn't actually have a Pharmacology course, I think it's just incorporated throughout. But that would be a great question to email and ask about. Here's the link to CSM's curriculum: Nursing at College of San Mateo - Curriculum

I wish CCSf had their stuff together because I've heard wonderful things about their program for past and current students. I'm just not for all the uncertainty & For the Director of the program not to even know when & where clinicals will be held, it causes a great deal of anxiety for me lol. Which ever program we chose, I hope we all succeed and reach our ultimate goal of sitting for the NCLEX & passing! :)

Rn_miadomsmommy · May 17, 2014

I know we all want this sooo bad that's why we have to be so critical when making a decision. One thing I noticed is that neither talked about their nclex passing rates. Although, it was concerning to hear how many students dropped out of CSMs program last year.

All this aside, hope we all make the right decision and in 2 years, all these years of hard work will pay off :)

Hailyxo · May 17, 2014

I totally agree with everyone's points. Did anyone noticed that CCSF is kind of unorganized? They passed out a bunch of materials for us but they can't provide a folder to come with it? Sorry it's just something that I noticed and had to get out of my system. I am also a little biased because I did took all my prerequisites at Skyline! However, the commute to CSM was just too much for me to handle. I was stuck in traffic on my way there and back home yesterday. It was just insane. I didn't make it back home in time to pick up my daughter. Also, CSM doesn't have a vendor to for our uniforms and we have to get that ourselves? Am I correct? Weird. However, I just can't get the picture of how beautiful they're skill lab is. It feels just like I am inside a hospital! I am planning to just sit down today and compare the two programs side by side.

Rn_miadomsmommy · May 17, 2014

I thought about that too, but then I came to the conclusion that it also may be funding issues. Maybe they are trying to save money where they can especially because of all the accreditation issues?

Its a hard decision to make. I also have kids, and the shorter the commute the better. I took 280 to 92 and traffic wasn't bad, but I have seen it get really backed up.

Seriously that lab is amazing!! Best of luck to everyone! Hope to have some of you as my classmates :) keep us posted :)

Rn_miadomsmommy · May 17, 2014

Oh and yea, with csm you get your uniforms anywhere and buy the patch at the bookstore I believe.

deee627 · May 18, 2014

I agree it was concerning that 12 students dropped/were dropped from the CSM program & the student panel didn't seem too concerned about them.. Have you checked out their NCLEX pass rates? Both schools have been pretty consistent in the 85% range until last year, CCSf dropped down to 76%.

deee627 · May 18, 2014

It was hard not to want to compare the economic status of each school! Lol At CCSf it felt really unorganized, no AC was killing me, going up 6 flights of stairs to the 3rd floor & no elevator killed me, the classrooms looked old & boring, etc. I didn't want to put a lot of attention to that but it's so hard not too! I didn't get to check out the skills lab at CSM but I bet it was amazing! I'm actually an expecting mama so if you saw a pregnant student there, that was me! There was another pregnant woman at the CSM orientation though... So it is very important for me also to get back home to my daughter. Where are you guys commuting from?

Rn_miadomsmommy · May 18, 2014

I saw a preggo mommy in my row at csm but I didn't see her at city so I don't think that was you. I'm commuting from Ssf. I have a 7 year old and almost 4 year old so the commute is playing a big factor in my decision since my kids still need me. Where are you guys coming from?

deee627 · May 19, 2014

I'm currently living in the East Bay.. Brentwood to be exact, it's about 30 minutes from Walnut Creek (about an hour in traffic). It took me 2 hours to get to CSM & 3 hours to get home. Ridiculous I know! So I'm trying to see if I can find a place to rent closer to that area. Going to CCSf would save me 2 hours + of commute a day. Everything for me is dependent on whether nanny is willing to move with us to San Mateo.. & if we can even find a place over there. So many things to do before August & not enough time.. Once I've made my decision, I will let you guys know! :up: