CSU East Bay Question?

[Testa Rosa, RN]

Hello All:

I need to start making childcare arrangements in advance should I get accepted into the Fall '07 program. I have a high GPA, scored high on the TEAS and speak another language, so my odds are good. I'm especially interested in the Concord Campus program.

I hate not knowing what the future holds, but need to start reserving space in preschools as well as look into nanny share opportunities this Spring in order to be prepared for possible Fall entry.

I need to know the earliest class start and last class end times, and what a typical day flow is like. I've tried looking at the course schedule on-line but it's hard to tell what the average day might look like and how to anticipate childcare arrangements. Like should I plan 8-5 childcare fulltime? Don't know if I can afford that.

Are there any current CSU East Bay/Concord Campus students out there in allnurses-land that can give me the scoop? Talking with another parent grappling with childcare issues who is currently a CSU student would be nice, but any advice would be welcome.

I know that the Hayward campus has an excellent childcare program but Hayward is too long of a drive with preschooler in tow. Plus, I can hike to Concord campus from my house.

Thanks!

"B"

[Gwen RN]

Hi,

I am currently a Level 2 student in the CSUEB program and am also in the first John Muir/Concord group. (We still take all our classes in Hayward.) If you'd like to send me a private message, I'd be happy to answer your questions. I might also be able to introduce you to another Level 2 in Concord who has a 6 year old and a 1 year old and has had to do a lot of day care juggling. I have a 12-year-old and a 16-year-old, so my child care issues are quite different than yours, I'm sure.

The Concord schedule differs from the Hayward schedule, but I think you can pretty much count on your main nursing classes being held on Mondays and Wednesdays -- probably about 4-6 hours, hopefully in a row. Then you need a skills lab -- probably 3 hours on a Tuesday or Thursday. Then you need to figure in any general ed classes. You'll also have a 2-hour conference in Fall and 5-6 hour clinicals in Winter and Spring. I'm not sure what the Concord schedule is for those, but we can figure it out.

I, too, gave up a career to follow my heart and it's been great. The students and faculty are VERY supportive and I've really enjoyed the clinical experiences at John Muir's Concord campus. Good luck getting in -- you'll love it!