CSN Spring 2015

Published

Is anyone applying for Spring 2015 Nursing Program 2015? I applied for Fall 2014 with 37 points and will be applying for Spring 2015 with 38 points. Does anyone have pointers for the application process? Has anyone gone to the limited entry workshop? I have been discouraged, and need some uplifting information.

Christina,

have you graduated already? I have heard both CSN grads are highly respected and then I have heard that you absolutely need your BSN. I had one person tell me that her hiring manager PREFERS CSN people over the other schools. I have applied to both CSN and NSC. I still have 2 weeks to go to find out if I am accepted at NSC...but am torn. I am concerned about the pace and workload of going for the BSN. If I did the ADN, I still would get my BSN. But it is 2 years for ADN, 2 years for BSN(and a lot more work)

What's your take?

First, let me preface with my opinion that NSC, UNLV, and CSN are all excellent schools and I am in no way bashing one program. I'm just stating my opinion.

I graduate on 12/12/14. I have HEARD that you "must" have your BSN and that hiring managers will not consider you if you don't. Mostly from BSN grads and people who are not working in HR/healthcare. On the other hand I have SEEN first hand how many recent and old CSN grads are out there working. I have also talked to many different nurses in the community and they have much respect for CSN grads.

As far as the workload, don't let the ADN vs BSN fool you. Both are hard work. Both take time and effort. I don't know why you're saying that a BSN is more work. My workload is just as much as my counterparts at other schools. It's by no means easier because it's an ADN. If anything, we have to work harder for NCLEX we're missing the research classes. But guess what? CSN grads still pass NCLEX (90%+), they still get jobs and they are very respected in the community. All of that for substantially less money.

I wish you the best of luck in your endeavors and I hope you make the best decision possible for yourself. I'm happy to answer any other questions that you may have :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Public Health.

I am a CSN grad and I have been working as an RN for the past 9 months. I also work at CHHMC and the majority of the nurses there are ADN RNs. Now if you have the opportunity to get your BSN now, do it, it takes the same amount of time and when you graduate you won't have to immediately go back to school. Bottom line, BSN is not mandatory but take the opportunity if it presents itself.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I am a CSN grad and I have been working as an RN for the past 9 months. I also work at CHHMC and the majority of the nurses there are ADN RNs. Now if you have the opportunity to get your BSN now, do it, it takes the same amount of time and when you graduate you won't have to immediately go back to school. Bottom line, BSN is not mandatory but take the opportunity if it presents itself.

^this!!

Slinkyhead, when did you graduate? Congrats on being employed!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Public Health.

Graduated Dec 2013

Up Vote Up Vote ×

She might have counted her points incorrectly, or maybe she checked the wrong box of part time on the application, she should make an appointment to see if a mistake was made maybe they still have space for her, since so many got accepted

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi christina thanks for taking the time to give us all this information, and I sent you a message about getting added to your page, so I have already been taking all my pre req for BSN, I talked to a popular instructor over at CSN in the Biology Dept, and he told me the smartest thing for me to do was to finish at CSN and then go for BSN online, thats what I plan on doing, he said everyone wants to hire CSN nursing students, but I have also heard many students talking about all this so its a little nerve wracking, I am def. doing the CSN program but when I started had I know we did not go to school in the summer and its gonna take 2 more years to finish I think I would have chosen another school, Just me bc i have so many credits, the only thing I think I am going to take over at NSC in the summer is Chem and I have done everything else a possible school would want for a BSN except the nursing portion, I may have misunderstood you but did you say our pay is going to be very low for having a ADN?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I spoke to my best friend about the whole pay thing. She graduated from NSC last Fall. Found a job in February. She said that both BSN and ADN make the same pay. She has gotten two of our other friends hired with her both Kaplan grads. She said the hard part for any new grad is finding a job. If you know someone to get you in faster the better otherwise her and our other friends all make 33 an hour working nights in med surg at one of the hospitals here in LV.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

thank you everyone for piping in with advice. Christina, I hadn't even considered the research aspect of an advantage of the BSN.

Goingforrn....I think Christina was saying that CSN is less expensive than NSC or UNLV, not that the pay was different ADN vs BSN.

NSC is petitioning whoever governs that kind of stuff to raise tuition rates almost double to the current rate for the BSN program starting fall 2015. Something to consider.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

My original plan is to complete the ADN program at CSN then go to NSC for the online RN to BSN program. CSN is 4 semesters with no summers. NSC is 4 semesters with summer (with pre req completion done). I will have my BSN in 8 semesters. ? Yes it is the long way around but atleast in 2 years I can be working as a nurse at least ?... and making just as much as everyone else doing it even with the lower degree. Granted, I do have a personal priority to get my BSN but I also have a priority to getting to work as soon as I can as a nurse. And I'll take any route that's available ??

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Kaybah_Jenae that is what I plan to do as well. I was wondering if NSC- BSN nursing program requires some type of GPA? I also want to know what is their acceptance process.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Public Health.

Just something to think about: it is very nice to not have to worry about school and it's very difficult to do your BSN online while working full time. Not to mention the time you will be spending doing your residency if you work at a hospital. Also, try to avoid doing tuition reimbursement if you can. You will already be stuck in a contract if you get into a new grad residency, and you will most likely want to work for only a year or two in medsurg if that's where you end up. Work smart not hard.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Kaybah_Jenae that is what I plan to do as well. I was wondering if NSC- BSN nursing program requires some type of GPA? I also want to know what is their acceptance process.

so the process includes automatic acceptance for CSN graduates which is really cool for us. you are required to do pre reqs but if you have them already done awesome. if not you can do them while you take your upper division nursing courses.... no employment time is required. just need to pass your nclex before starting. The program is available every semester to start....GPA requirements include 2.5 for pre reqs and 3.0 for ADN coursework. It is all done online and clinical time can be completed at your hospital of employment when the time comes. Applications need to be submitted minimum 3 weeks before the semester you plan on beginning starts.

I currently only have 5 courses need for pre reqs at NSC. I plan on taking those five courses over summers and while in the ADN...yes I know it sounds crazy but I rather get all of this over with as soon as possible. All the courses I need are available online during the summer so I will be able to have somewhat of a normal summer vacation. ? hope this helps!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion