How many here has applied for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at CSULA?
I know it is a little bit early to talk about this, but I just submitted all of my grades, TEAS scores (ATI sends them to CSULA SON for you), and notification of health care work experience (dental assistant) from an employer.
It has been a long and anxious wait till April/May for letters of acceptance to come in, so I hope this thread can help everyone who is dealing with the same anxiety and stress that we are all dealing with.
So If anyone would like to share their overall "points" score, or questions regarding pre-reqs TEAS etc. I would be alright to share all of you mine, and answer some questions that I might know.
I had a grade change done for bio....I asked for a c- due to a grade dispute and re took the class....it took time but I needed the extra points...plus my gpa is alot higher than before....in regards to the TEAS score they will take which ever test sitting you scored higher on...soooo you can take it a max of 2 times for each application cycle...the higher score will be counted.... also if u work in a medical field u will have extra points (3)... a word of encouragement since you have not heard anything at least you know you are still in the running.... =)
CSULA's program is about 3 years (yeah it's long because they only allow you to take a limited number of sections since all sections are blocked)
Personally, I love CSULA. It has a lot of diversity, and there are a lot of events that is for student involvement (I participate in a lot of those). like all schools, there are some problems like the rudeness of administration, and adding classes if you don't have that much units accumulated to get you a better registration date, but the same problems occur in other schools.
personally, I am 20, but I know of a colleague of mine who applied to the basic generic program (without a bachelors because she worked right after school) who was about 35-36. I don't know what happened to her after I took micro in the fall of 2010.
there was also knew of someone who I knew that is applying for the MSN program who is 49. again, we all parted ways after micro in the fall of 2010
so if you are that old, older, or younger, I hope that interesting fact makes you feel better, and that you are not the only one if you are :)
CSULA's program is about 3 years (yeah it's long because they only allow you to take a limited number of sections since all sections are blocked)
Personally, I love CSULA. It has a lot of diversity, and there are a lot of events that is for student involvement (I participate in a lot of those). like all schools, there are some problems like the rudeness of administration, and adding classes if you don't have that much units accumulated to get you a better registration date, but the same problems occur in other schools.
personally, I am 20, but I know of a colleague of mine who applied to the basic generic program (without a bachelors because she worked right after school) who was about 35-36. I don't know what happened to her after I took micro in the fall of 2010.
there was also knew of someone who I knew that is applying for the MSN program who is 49. again, we all parted ways after micro in the fall of 2010
so if you are that old, older, or younger, I hope that interesting fact makes you feel better, and that you are not the only one if you are :)
Mr.Suave... thanks!...& yes i got it approved...i had to go through alot,but i had a really bad BIO teacher. He was asked not to come back so i gues the dept. understood lol.... & good luck to you too!...oh, you are a dental assistant? I am a CNA, so thats where my pts. are from...LOL...
TJ_vladin... i am 21...but i do know that we have students of all ages at CSULA. Also I like it here. I mean i wouldn't be basically signing up for 2 more years if i didnt. It is a good school, some problems ^ as stated by Mr. Suave...but all schools probably are like that...One more point, CSULA is a commuter school. Most people do not live on campus & there are classes available in Morning and NIghts...i guess to appeal to those who are older&already have families and careers... =)
csulagirl07 - Is CSULA really a top 10 nursing program in the country? I know they are a top GRADUATE program, but I didn't know they were a top undergraduate program.
However, I would disagree with you that CSULA is the hardest school to get into. CSULA is impacted, yes, but their requirements are actually LOWER in my opinion than other schools. For one they don't require Biology (the only reason why I was able to apply this year) AND only one Chemistry course. Other schools want Bio and 2 Chem courses. I think UCLA wants 4 Bio courses and 3 Chem courses. That's insane! (Source: http://www.assist.org)
Add to that the fact that Micro does not count for your ranking (all you need to do is pass it with a C or better) AND you get credit for Medical Employment/Volunteer work and you're way better off at CSULA than you would at say CSULB or CSF. Other schools will punish you if your Micro grades are low and award NO CREDIT for medical employment or volunteer work.
csulagirl07 - Is CSULA really a top 10 nursing program in the country? I know they are a top GRADUATE program, but I didn't know they were a top undergraduate program.
However, I would disagree with you that CSULA is the hardest school to get into. CSULA is impacted, yes, but their requirements are actually LOWER in my opinion than other schools. For one they don't require Biology (the only reason why I was able to apply this year) AND only one Chemistry course. Other schools want Bio and 2 Chem courses. I think UCLA wants 4 Bio courses and 3 Chem courses. That's insane! (Source: http://www.assist.org)
Add to that the fact that Micro does not count for your ranking (all you need to do is pass it with a C or better) AND you get credit for Medical Employment/Volunteer work and you're way better off at CSULA than you would at say CSULB or CSF. Other schools will punish you if your Micro grades are low and award NO CREDIT for medical employment or volunteer work.
Yes they are. But I think it is because they are hands on and offer great clinical sites, as well as having 100% NCLEX passing rate. As far as hardest schools to get into, CSULA's Nursing program requires Anatomy&Physio which is considered a BIO class. In other schools I am not positive about the requirements,but not only is CSULA impacted it is based soley off a point system. There isn't a "waiting list", you get in that year and if you dont you have to apply all over again in a fresh pool and recieve no extra bump to the top of the list because you had applied in the past. Also CSULA only takes 90 students out of the over 600 that apply. Of course there are different classes required between a UC system and the Calstate system, but in other Calstates i believe the only different class required is organic chemistry(&even then as long as "your" course meets their requirements it can still be used for credit). I also know that CSULB take other factors into consideration, as well as CSF (in regards to the "type" of student applying). You do get credit for prior work expierience and the TEAS score they just dont give it in the same format as CSULA.
I was admitted to UCLA's school of nursing for this fall. So, I could explain a bit further.
The UC system implemented numerous chemistry and biology in order to prepare them for graduate work. Believe it or not, the majority of last years UC Irvine's nursing program were all pre-med, pre-law, and were working on a nursing degree towards graduate level work. Most of them didn't even take the RN-NCLEX examination because they weren't working on becoming a nurse as a career, but to learn it as a skill. I know a student who just graduated from UCLA's nursing program and she's not even a nurse, she just did Nursing to fulfill her undergraduate degree in order to enter the public health master's program. Both of the UC's require you to take a year of general chemistry, organic chemistry, and biology. The reason for this is because the UC system is very research oriented, meaning that any clinical research you conduct under a professor, they would want you to be educated in the backgrounds of the extensive sciences. The only reason why I applied for UCLA was due to my comfort with the students, campus, and academics.
Theory Oriented vs. Hands on Experience.
In my opinion, the Cal States are just much more practical applications (hands on) in terms of patient care, whereas the UC system emphasizes much more on the theory of nursing care. Other than that, the CSULA nursing program is just as equivalent and good as UCLAs program. Just different approach on how they view nursing.
Also, does anyone know if there are any advantages to obtaining a BSN rather than an ADN from a 2-year community college? I was accepted to a 2-year community college, but the majority of the workers from the human resources department at the local hospitals (whitter, persbyterian, USC etc.) have highly recommended me to obtain the Bachelor's if the option is available. I have the financial means for both, but the 2-year just seems much more viable and inexpensive. I understand that the VA (Veteran's Affair), military, peace corps, and government all require the Bachelor's. Also, some of the charge nurses have stated that a lot of the hospitals are no longer paying for the ADNs education (RN-BSN route) anymore.
Yes they are. But I think it is because they are hands on and offer great clinical sites, as well as having 100% NCLEX passing rate.
Actually, the number that has been reported to the state is a 88% passing rate for 2009/10. I find it hard to believe that they are one of the top 10. I've seen the list for a graduate nursing program ranking but not one for undergraduate. I always used this site to research the nursing schools. Also, why doesn't CSULA release their statistics like CSULB? It would be very helpful for applicants to determine where they stand against other applicants.
I was admitted to UCLA's school of nursing for this fall. So, I could explain a bit further.
The UC system implemented numerous chemistry and biology in order to prepare them for graduate work. Believe it or not, the majority of last years UC Irvine's nursing program were all pre-med, pre-law, and were working on a nursing degree towards graduate level work. Most of them didn't even take the RN-NCLEX examination because they weren't working on becoming a nurse as a career, but to learn it as a skill. I know a student who just graduated from UCLA's nursing program and she's not even a nurse, she just did Nursing to fulfill her undergraduate degree in order to enter the public health master's program. Both of the UC's require you to take a year of general chemistry, organic chemistry, and biology. The reason for this is because the UC system is very research oriented, meaning that any clinical research you conduct under a professor, they would want you to be educated in the backgrounds of the extensive sciences. The only reason why I applied for UCLA was due to my comfort with the students, campus, and academics.
Theory Oriented vs. Hands on Experience.
In my opinion, the Cal States are just much more practical applications (hands on) in terms of patient care, whereas the UC system emphasizes much more on the theory of nursing care. Other than that, the CSULA nursing program is just as equivalent and good as UCLAs program. Just different approach on how they view nursing.
Also, does anyone know if there are any advantages to obtaining a BSN rather than an ADN from a 2-year community college? I was accepted to a 2-year community college, but the majority of the workers from the human resources department at the local hospitals (whitter, persbyterian, USC etc.) have highly recommended me to obtain the Bachelor's if the option is available. I have the financial means for both, but the 2-year just seems much more viable and inexpensive. I understand that the VA (Veteran's Affair), military, peace corps, and government all require the Bachelor's. Also, some of the charge nurses have stated that a lot of the hospitals are no longer paying for the ADNs education (RN-BSN route) anymore.
I went to UCI as a Biology/Criminology major and their Nursing program is still pretty new and hard to get into (they have a class of about 40 with about 2 slots for transfer students). UC schools are funded for their research and the professors perform their own research in which you can also request to be part of your junior/senior year. CSU's are more industry and learn-by-doing focused (this goes for nursing and other majors like engineering). Like you said, these courses are more theory and less hands-on. It is easier to get into the Nursing program as a freshman than to transfer into it at UCI. I do have a friend that graduated last year and is now a working Nurse. Others wanted to go to grad school (for various academic programs) but you are not required to take the NCLEX that will certify you as a Registered Nurse. I don't see why not though, especially since you have already taken a rigorous program (maybe, cost?).
TJ, there are going to be more advantages in a BSN later on in your career. Some hospitals are beginning to restructure their payroll based on level of education and years working. RN's with ADN's are great nurses but like anything else, you will get an advantage if you have a higher degree. A RN-BSN route teaches you more management level courses in nursing and will be helpful if you want to go to grad school. In the long run, having a BSN will give you more management level opportunities in comparison to a RN with a ADN. There are some great ADN programs out there that are insanely more affordable, but in the end you will still have a great career and great pay. A lot of hospitals are no longer paying for RN-BSN educations because frankly, they don't have the money anymore and are more hesitant to hire a new graduate (because you have to train them and so forth).
Kudos on getting into UCLA's Nursing program. I have a friend graduating this year from there as well.
Thank you, TJ Vladin for that useful clarification. Regarding your question on BSN vs ADN it all depends on your goals. Do you want to make bed-side care a life-long career? If so, then ADN is the way to go. It is way cheaper and less competitive. But if you plan to move on to a graduate program (like me) then going into a BSN program is the way to go.
I have two friends. One graduated from Pasadena City College the other from CSULA. Both have 7+ years experience as Registered Nurses in the field, and both are excellent nurses. But the friend with the ADN, who now wants to get into a graduate Nurse Practitioner program, is only ONE YEAR ahead of me to make it happen. Here is what she needs to do: take the pre-requisite courses in math, writing, and critical thinking (one year). Take an accelerated program to get her the Bachelor's degree (RN to BSN for another year) and then she can apply to the MSN. That's two years as opposed to three years for me who has NEVER set foot as a medical worker of any kind.
Now the friend with the BSN let me in a little secret. She told me that in years past there was NO real difference between an RN with a Bachelor's or one with an Associate's degree. But now hospitals are compensating more for candidates with a Bachelor's degree. In addition to this I read an article for a push for RN candidates to have at least a Bachelor's degree:
In October 2010, the Institute of Medicine released its landmark report on The Future of Nursing, initiated by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, which called for increasing the number of baccalaureate-prepared nurses in the workforce to 80% and doubling the population of nurses with doctoral degrees. The current nursing workforce falls far short of these recommendations with only 50% of registered nurses prepared at the baccalaureate or graduate degree level.
All this in the wake of a shortage of nursing professionals! I don't understand it, but hey that's life. For this reason, I have not considered or applied to any ADN program. And while I'm on the subject, I'll say this too.... I have another friend who went to an accelerated nursing program through a private institution that allows you to get in WITH NO PRE-REQUISITES. You finish a very intense program in a year and a half. Want to know how much that program cost? $65,000!!! Guess what degree this person got for this program? An ADN. I'm sorry, to say it, but that's just not worth it. Yes, she's now working as nurse at a local hospital, but the cost/reward ratio is way too high. And if she wants to move on to a graduate program, she will have to shell out more cash and spend basically the same amount of time it will take me to get there. So basically, the FAST way may not necessarily be the BEST way.
Ms.chia...I recieved that info from CSULA....All stats are available in the nursing department office...Some websites may not be reliable, hopefuly the info CSULA gives their students is accurate... =)
Mr. Suave
79 Posts
csulagirl07,
what did you do to change your points from 19 to 26?
I currently have a 26 for the application, but if they don't take my second teas score into consideration, It would be perceived as a 23
thanks in advance for your insight!