CSUCI or CSULB BSN Program?

Bobmo88 · Apr 23, 2015

I am about to graduate from CSUCI in 3 weeks and definitely think it is a great program if you do decide to go. The curriculum is different now than what my experience has been but I believe there will only be 1 session each summer as opposed to two sessions each summer. Even CSUCIs program is longer than both of CSULBs, you might not have as much time to work as you think. I personally have worked throughout the entire program but cut down to 12 hours a week for the last two years so I could focus more on school. Like I mentioned, the curriculum is different now and the course load might be heavier during the school year since the program reduced the summer sessions. Another thing to consider is class sizes, I don't know how many students CSULB admits but since my class sizes at CSUCI are relatively small, I feel like my professors know me on a personal level and this has been beneficial as far as letters of recommendation are concerned. I hope my input helped and if you have any further questions let me know!

runstohousebeats · Apr 23, 2015

I am about to graduate from CSUCI in 3 weeks and definitely think it is a great program if you do decide to go. The curriculum is different now than what my experience has been but I believe there will only be 1 session each summer as opposed to two sessions each summer. Even CSUCIs program is longer than both of CSULBs, you might not have as much time to work as you think. I personally have worked throughout the entire program but cut down to 12 hours a week for the last two years so I could focus more on school. Like I mentioned, the curriculum is different now and the course load might be heavier during the school year since the program reduced the summer sessions. Another thing to consider is class sizes, I don't know how many students CSULB admits but since my class sizes at CSUCI are relatively small, I feel like my professors know me on a personal level and this has been beneficial as far as letters of recommendation are concerned. I hope my input helped and if you have any further questions let me know!

Thanks for your reply. I did hear the program was going to slightly change so its good to know the summer might not be as bad. And that class size thing is something I didn't think about. Thanks for pointing that out. Smaller class sizes could be better as far as my GPA goes too.

However, can I ask you a couple question?

-Did you have time to do any internships while at CSUCI?

-Does CSUCI have a preceptorship as part of their curriculum? I tried to look at the curriculum and couldn't find if it had one.

Bobmo88 · Apr 24, 2015

Thanks for your reply. I did hear the program was going to slightly change so its good to know the summer might not be as bad. And that class size thing is something I didn't think about. Thanks for pointing that out. Smaller class sizes could be better as far as my GPA goes too.
However, can I ask you a couple question?
-Did you have time to do any internships while at CSUCI?
-Does CSUCI have a preceptorship as part of their curriculum? I tried to look at the curriculum and couldn't find if it had one.

Are you talking about like the COPE Health Solutions CCE program or something else? I did that program a while ago but I have also have worked in a local hospital for the past 5 years so I didn't look into interships while in school. It just depends on the time commitment expected of you, if it's something like the CCE program I would say yes but can't really answer about other things. There were a lot of volunteer opportunities through the student nurse association such as flu shot clinics, first aid volunteer at the ventura marathon, and health fairs as well.

As far as preceptorship, we have something called transitions to professional practice which is pretty much precepting, however, when we had it, it was during our second summer and it was only a few weeks. At the moment, our last clinical rotation is critical care and we go to units like ER, ICU, and step down units but it isn't like a traditional preceptorship where you are assigned to a specific unit the entire time but we are as independent as precepting students. I'm honestly not sure when transitions is going to be with the new curriculum though.

runstohousebeats · Apr 24, 2015

Are you talking about like the COPE Health Solutions CCE program or something else? I did that program a while ago but I have also have worked in a local hospital for the past 5 years so I didn't look into interships while in school. It just depends on the time commitment expected of you, if it's something like the CCE program I would say yes but can't really answer about other things. There were a lot of volunteer opportunities through the student nurse association such as flu shot clinics, first aid volunteer at the ventura marathon, and health fairs as well.
As far as preceptorship, we have something called transitions to professional practice which is pretty much precepting, however, when we had it, it was during our second summer and it was only a few weeks. At the moment, our last clinical rotation is critical care and we go to units like ER, ICU, and step down units but it isn't like a traditional preceptorship where you are assigned to a specific unit the entire time but we are as independent as precepting students. I'm honestly not sure when transitions is going to be with the new curriculum though.

I've heard of the CCE program but I was talking more in regards to nursing internships specifically. Like the one's at UCLA and UC Davis during the summer.

And that's really interesting. I wonder why they didn't label it as 'preceptorship' like most programs do?

Thanks for your input though.... I really appreciate it. I'm still not 100% decided but I'm sort of leaning towards CSUCI.

Bobmo88 · Apr 24, 2015

Our program has traditionally had 10 weeks of summer classes and from my understanding that's usually around she those externships start So it would have been nearly impossible to do an internship. I would say it's still doubtful even with the changes in curriculum but that is something you would have to look into. I think they don't call it precepting because it is different than a lot of programs where you are assigned to a specific unit at the very end of nursing school. I hope my info was helpful, both are great programs and you will be fine with either choice, best of luck to you!

kmalone · Feb 22, 2017

@Bobmo88 - This is probably a long shot since this is an old post, but I was wondering...how did you get the clinical technician job? Were you able to choose which department you wanted to work in? Feel free to email me at [email protected] (I'm not sure if we can PM each other in this thread..not too familiar with this website haha)