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?
Thank you. That helps me so much! I feel encouraged to continue with my efforts for Cal State. I haven't applied to any other schools. Cal State has been my one and only choice. I have considered other schools and csusb has been the only one that stands out at the best choice for me. I would consider loma linda but it is so much more expensive and I don't know how I would pay for it. I don't necessarily think I will get a better education just because it costs more. Community colleges can have excellent programs but I want a bsn. I plan on going on to my masters after I have had a chance to work for a while and know for sure what I want to specialize in.
Have you heard anything about having to practice on each other in class? I saw some other posts about some programs being quite invasive. I'm not sure how I feel about that.
We've been practicing putting in NG tubes and indwelling catheters in class these past two weeks, but we don't practice those on each other, thank goodness! We do baths on each other while wearing t-shirts and shorts. The instructors showed us how to do enemas on mannequins.
I don't think we learn injections this quarter, so I guess we'll have to find out if we try those on each other or not. I'd rather have someone try injections on me rather than getting an NG tube or catheter stuck in me!
I don't think we will be doing anything really invasive on each other in class, well... not that I know of yet.
I am relieved to know that (so far) they don't have you doing really invasive things to each other. It's funny, but I haven't heard much about what to expect from the classes once you make it in. It's all about just getting in and making it out alive and with the coveted RN license. LOL. I look forward to hearing more about your experiences as you go along. I wish you well!
Hey, does csusb look at your overall GPA? I thought they just look at your preqs, my preq GPA is 3.47 and my teas test is 82.4. I hope they don't look at my overall GPA because my 1st degree in biology was a 2.48 (I know its low!) I would have had a 3.5 in my preq GPA if it wasn't for that C+ I got in a/p II (errr!).
Here are my grades
A/P I: A-
A/P II: C+
Micro: A
Chem 205: A
Chem 208: A
Math 115: A
Critical thinking: A
Eng 101: B- (took in my 1st degree)
Com 120: B- (took in my 1st degree)
other classes required (not preq)
Stat 305: A
Psy 201: A
Hum 375: A (humanities course)
Took span 150 (intermediate spanish) and got an A-, I don't know if that matters though, I'm not biligual.
I hope my GPA along with my teas test is good enough for fall 2010
What do you guys think? Be honest
What Should I do to make myself more competitive? Should I apply for winter if I don't get accepted and retake my teas test?
I'm not an expert, since I haven't made it in the program yet. I have also applied for this fall. I have heard so many people talking about it, that I don't know what it will take to actually be selected. All I know is that if you do your very best, then that is all you can do. It takes alot of hard work to get A's in all those tough classes. If you don't make it for fall, then I would retake the TEAS. Other than that, what else is there? I'm sure it will all work out for the best for you : )
I just had a quick question for all who applied to Loma Linda for Fall 2010. When is the last day you guys can either accept or deny your acceptance? As well does anyone know any information about the pipeline program at Loma Linda University. Thank You :)
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!
Hey CrescentGirl, how long did yur pre-reqs take to complete for the BSN program at csusb?
I actually have to disagree! I'm actually a CSUSB RN graduate. I graduated this past June and thank God I have a job. I'm so happy that you got accepted to both schools! Not sure if you made your decision. My sister graduated from LLUSN. So while I was at CSUSB, my sis was at LLU and we were both attending nursing school at the same time. (Did you ever stop by the peer advising center? I was a peer advisor!) Anyways, my sister's loan equal to about $80,000. For my 9 quarters at CSUSB, they equate to about $12,000, not including books, materials, gas money, uniforms etc which quickly add up. Regardless of what school you go to, nursing school is hard. You're going to be given reading assignments which the professors can't even handle. You are going to be tested and pushed to the limit. It's part of the territory..
I always envied my sis because she went to LLU. There's just something I thought was missing at csusb. I wanted to be back in a christian environment. I wanted to mesh christian faith with medicine and incorporate that into my nursing care. It was great to go to csusb because it was a public school. You have so many different views. Sometimes being in a school like LLU can be one sided. But I'm sure when it comes to medicine, you bring everything to the table. When I left csusb, about 4 instructors left to pursue other areas. I mean these where like the best instructors too. The taught the core courses. It was sad but it sure did get everyone thinking. There is a budget crisis going on too, so that could play a factor. Also, our dept chair was replaced. So there are a lot of changes going on there. So if you kinda want to be in the forefront of all the change while it's happening, hopefully for the better, then go ahead. If you want to be in a more stable environment, go to LLU. I know some students who started last fall and this fall, and they are all complaining to me!!! It's sad.. .. but after all the hoopla, i can say that i loved my time at csusb.. i had some great times and some horrible times.. that's with any program.... i just tried to focus on education, and if i felt i wasn't getting good education from the faculty for some reason.. i hit the books.. you have to be a self learner sometimes......
... my choice would be LLUSN...
I mean, the money is such a huge factor. But you know, you can pay it off.. it may take a while.. but you'll have a great job where you will make great money.. can't say that for everyone now in this economy.. but hopefully by the time you finish, the economy would be more stable..start getting your finances in order now, regardless of what school you go to. open a savings account and put a little bit away if you can to help pay off loans and/or other expenses for nursing school... also while in nursing school, that's the best time to market yourself!!!! when you do clinicals, hospitals are looking a you.. the nurses are too... so be on your best behavior and showcase your best nursing care! a lot of nursing students get job offers during their program.....
But totally make it your choice!!!!!!!
If you have any other questions...... PM ME!!!!!!!!!! I'm all ears....
im an incoming freshman to csusb, and i was wondering how long it took you to complete your pre-reqs at csusb? was getting into the program very hard? how long is the BSN program at LLU? because i want to finish my pre-reqs in a year, well overall i want to complete the BSN program quick, not too quickly but i mean in the less years
travelgurl18
92 Posts
Water83,
What CSU do you attend?