CSU San Bernardino or Loma Linda University?

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I just got accepted to CSU San Bernardino and Loma Linda's BSN programs. My family and I have been discussing all week about which school I should go to. I don't know much about what each nursing program is like. I'm just happy they're both close enough to my home so I can commute everyday.

Loma Linda looks like a great school with a great hospital, and the environment looks really nice to be in. I don't mind the weekly chapel and religion classes that are required. I do worry a little that they might give me an extra load of studying. It seems like the faculty could be nice people and will care about their students. I also like how I can complete the BSN program in two years. The biggest problem about Loma Linda is the cost. It's a private school so it's going to really expensive, and I'll be in debt for a long time.

Cal State San Bernardino looks like a really good school, since they say they get like 400 applicants. Unlike Loma Linda, their BSN program is three years. But even though it's three years, it's still A LOT cheaper than Loma Linda. But three years also means the program isn't all compressed into two years; it would be less intense.

So what school do you think is better to attend overall?

I'd love to hear some more input from you guys!

Thank you!

Specializes in Observation, Telemetry, Stroke.

It's too bad that LLU's orientation isn't until Jan 4th! I just went to CSUSB's orientation on November 13th last Friday. OMG it was SO much information, I was already stressed out about an hour into the orientation. After it was over, I just decided right there that I would be attending CSUSB because with that school, at least my parents would be able to help me pay the school off with very little debt. With LLU's tuition, there would be no way of me paying that off within a year. If money wasn't so much an issue, I'd probably choose LLU because it looks like a school that holds a lot more opportunities.

So yeah, I chose CSUSB. After hearing about the current students' experiences, I think I could feel at home here. I did hear them talk about how a lot of the nursing instructors left the school, but I'm hoping that the new instructors to replace them would be better.

Good luck on getting into a nursing school, ivonnebon! I was really stressed out too, while applying for schools. I didn't care what school I got into, I just wanted to get in SOMEWHERE! Well, now that part is over for me, and now I have to worry about getting re-certified for CPR and physical exams and TB tests and such. I have a lot to get done this month...

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Specializes in Pediatric Nursing.
It's too bad that LLU's orientation isn't until Jan 4th! I just went to CSUSB's orientation on November 13th last Friday. OMG it was SO much information, I was already stressed out about an hour into the orientation. After it was over, I just decided right there that I would be attending CSUSB because with that school, at least my parents would be able to help me pay the school off with very little debt. With LLU's tuition, there would be no way of me paying that off within a year. If money wasn't so much an issue, I'd probably choose LLU because it looks like a school that holds a lot more opportunities.

So yeah, I chose CSUSB. After hearing about the current students' experiences, I think I could feel at home here. I did hear them talk about how a lot of the nursing instructors left the school, but I'm hoping that the new instructors to replace them would be better.

Good luck on getting into a nursing school, ivonnebon! I was really stressed out too, while applying for schools. I didn't care what school I got into, I just wanted to get in SOMEWHERE! Well, now that part is over for me, and now I have to worry about getting re-certified for CPR and physical exams and TB tests and such. I have a lot to get done this month...

Cool, then welcome to my alma mater! You'll have fun there. Meet new people. Get connected with CN, get involved! Go to the events! And make sure you're always in compliance!I know the girls who did the orientation and they're good people =o) so I hope they didn't scare you =o))))) .. it's cool to scare new students! lol jk The instructors that left were FANTASTIC.. it's just they moved on to other opportunities.. advancing their careers.. but yes, hopefully there will be great instructors to continue where they left off. Goodluck and enjoy your vacation while it lasts! :yeah:

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Specializes in Observation, Telemetry, Stroke.

Thank you, LoveThisNurse!

I can't wait to feel at home in my nursing school class. I gotta enjoy my last couple months of freedom before all this madness starts. Oh man, and the whole compliance thing really scares me.

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I have a question for everyone. How long did it take for you guys to get all your pre-req together?

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Specializes in Observation, Telemetry, Stroke.

It took me a little over a year to get all the pre-reqs done. If I was able to pack every semester with nothing but pre-reqs, then I'm sure I could have done it within a year for sure.

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Thanks, cause I'm planning on doing all my pre-req at Mt Sac before I apply to Loma Linda.

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Specializes in Observation, Telemetry, Stroke.

I've never been to Mt SAC before, but good luck! The only thing you might need to worry about is being able to get into the classes like Anatomy & Physiology. Those classes are usually hard to find a spot in.

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Thanks, good luck to you too.

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I am currently taking my pre-req's at csusb. I am applying for this fall. With the amount of people trying to get into the program I have been considering what my other options are if I don't make it. I have been looking at llu and I have been wondering the same thing that have been talked about on this thread. Cal State is obviously more affordable but LLU has a great reputation. LLu also doesnt have crazy amounts of people competing for a few spots.

So I was wondering, Crescent Girl, how are you liking the program now at csusb? So far, are you happy with your choice? I am definitely concerned about the "budget crisis" affecting the quality of cal states nursing program.

Also, LoveThisNurse, I was wondering if you would share more about your experience in th program? What is involved in the nursing classes? How much practicing do you do on each other? How invasive is the practicing? What was the clinicals like? Do you feel that you were well prepared when you got to clinicals and now actually working?

Aside from the spiritual aspect of LLU, what do you think they have to offer in their program or to the graduates, that cal state doesn't? Is your sister happy with her decision to go to LLU and not cal state?

Thank you so much for sharing your insights. I really want to make a smart choice. I am only going to do this one time. I want to make the most of it. The best education I can get for my money. I'm willing to spend more money if it will prepare me to be a better nurse.

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Specializes in Observation, Telemetry, Stroke.

wild butterfly,

I just finished my fourth week into the program at CSUSB. So far, so good! I love my nursing fundamentals theory instructor. She's so cute and funny! Our clinical instructors are new to CSUSB, but they seem pretty knowledgeable. All my our instructors this quarter have been very understanding because they seem to know what we're going through. They all have stories to tell which makes the learning experience more fun and those stories inspire me to become a nurse even more.

I am very happy here in this program, despite all the endless reading we have to do and the anxiety about our skills test before we move on to clinicals in the real hospital! Things are moving very fast. At least I don't have to worry about all the debt after I'm done. It's going to be a long hard road. I'm also happy that the students in my class are all very friendly too.

Whichever school you choose, good luck!

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CrescentGirl,

Thank you for responding. I'm glad your experience is going well. With all the hoopla about how hard it is to get in, I have had some anxiety that no matter how well I do, I still won't get in. It seems like everyone I talk to has almost perfect GPA's, has all the letters, bilingual, great Teas scores... it is kind of discouraging. I should have a gpa around 3.5 and hopefully I will score mid 80's (or higher) on the Tease. I'm still working on my letters and the bilingual thing. Would you mind sharing your experience regarding the application process?

Thanks!

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Specializes in Observation, Telemetry, Stroke.

Hi wild_butterfly,

Some people asked me about the application process and think that everyone who got in had perfect GPAs and high TEAS scores. When I was applying, I was hoping that the admissions would be looking at my science prereqs more than anything. My undergrad GPA was not good at all, a 2.7, but I made sure to ace all the prereqs that I could - the anatomy and physiology, microbiology, developmental psychology, statistics. (Things like English and Critical Thinking didn't really get good grades at all when I took them before I got my first degree. I wasn't willing to take those again either.)

I think I got mid 80s for my TEAS and I did have a bilingual letter, but it's not Spanish, it's Thai. How useful could that be around here? Lol.

I do think it's hard to get in, since I heard they get like 400 applications a quarter. Maybe less, I don't know. But it's a lot. I didn't get in last Fall, but then they called me and said that a spot was available for the Fall class. Here was the stupid thing on my part - I didn't apply to the university first. :( So they couldn't take me and my spot went to someone else.

This winter quarter, I finally got accepted without being on the waitlist. It was a relief to finally have CSUSB as an option, because until I got the acceptance from CSUSB, Loma Linda was the only option. Then not long after CSUSB said they'd take me, National University accepted me. And then RCC. Nice to have a few choices.

I chose CSUSB because it was a lot cheaper, it's the closest campus and has the easiest route to and from home, and I know my way around the school already. Some RNs have told me that whatever school I choose, I'd be ending up with the same result - an RN license. They said this after I mentioned that Loma Linda was the school with the good reputation.

Well, I hope that helps!

What other schools are you applying to?

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