CSULA 2015 ABSN Program

snailszy · Mar 4, 2015

@RNNP

Do you feel prepared for the NCLEX through just the ABSN program or would you have to take Kaplan/ extra courses for that?

Thanks for helping us with all the questions!

snailszy · Mar 4, 2015

@RNNP

For some reason, I can't edit my previous post is it true that we have to find our own preceptors? I had asked k about that and she said that she personally arranges for the students. However, I read previous threads saying that the administration always says theyll set up preceptors but never end up doing so...so students are scrambling to find one.

Also, do you think the program itself is disorganized? Again, I saw it on this forum people complaining if that. But after meeting ----------------------, I don't see how she can make anything disorganized.. She's so on top.of it!

xochrlstinaxo · Mar 4, 2015

If decisions are made by the end of March, should we assume we've been rejected if we haven't been contacted for an interview yet?

lexical · Mar 5, 2015

I haven't gotten an interview from them, but I still have hope!

I've been talking to CSULA about transcripts so I'm hoping they are still reviewing applicants.

snailszy · Mar 5, 2015

I think they're still reviewing. There is ONE person who reads, grades, and interviews applicants while teaching in the graduate and BSN program sooo that's why csula's notice date is a lot later than everyone else's.

pistachio0_ · Mar 7, 2015

Don't loose hope lexical! I just received an invitation for an interview YESTERDAY!

I think there may have been some transcript confusion on my application as well. Hope it's at least a comfort to some of you to know they ARE still reviewing apps.

lexical · Mar 9, 2015

Thanks pistachio!

I actually got an email from them around the same time, and they offered me an interview~

Good luck guys!

xxsweetpeaxx87 · Mar 10, 2015

Helllloooooo,

I am in the absn program now with RNNP, ----------------------- sets our preceptorships for us but she says if you find a nurse we would like to precept to let her know. I know the 2012 allnurses post that you are referring to that said all that negative stuff, I found that post to be very disappointing and unfortunate, I didn't find any of it to be true. I accidentally fell across this program, applied at the last minute, got in and I feel like it was the absolute BEST thing that could have happened to me. There are 5 of us that moved from Norcal just for this program. Like RNNP said CSULA nursing students have a great reputation at the hospitals. During clinicals all the exceptional nurses we come across almost always graduated from the CSULA ELMN program, either about to finish their MSN or just finished (this was mostly seen at Huntington Memorial Hospital).

RNNP · Mar 10, 2015

@RNNP
Do you feel prepared for the NCLEX through just the ABSN program or would you have to take Kaplan/ extra courses for that?
Thanks for helping us with all the questions!

I don't think you'll ever really "feel" prepared lol but somehow it all comes together in the end! (you will see what I mean) Idk if you have looked up our passing rates online but it's like a 99.8% or something super high. Our program incorporates ATI books/testing in our classes. We take one ATI test for each core class (fundamentals, OB, peds, medsurg, mental health, etc.) that's worth like 10% of our grade. For some people, this is all they need. Members from previous cohorts have recommended we do the Kaplan review course at the end of our program and we're actually fundraising as a cohort to help us pay for that :) ... I think it sort of depends on each person. I know I'm bad at self-motivation so a course would definitely help keep me on task... and that'll provide us with test taking strategies too. NCLEX type questions are precious little things. You shall see.

RNNP · Mar 10, 2015

Sorry I'm barely getting to your posts now btw... we had two huge papers due.

I think xxsweetpeaxx87 already answered it but I'll chime in anyways. It is definitely not true that we have to find our own preceptors. You are encouraged to because if you think about it if you come across a nurse you worked well with throughout your clinicals then you should definitely want to have her as a preceptor! Keep in mind that even if you and the nurse agreed on it... ----------------- and the hospital must approve it. Everything must go through --------------- first, which is a GOOD thing. ---------------- DOES personally arrange them for us. You rank in order of priority which hospital (and department) you would like to go to and she takes it from there (we're in the process of doing that now).

NO! ... the program itself is NOT disorganized. Here is what I can think of in terms of disorganization though: Since we go through extension registering for classes sometimes takes a while but it's honestly not that big of a deal because the professors are aware and you can of course still attend lectures and everybody pretends like you ARE registered... and then you will get registered eventually. Yay. Financial aid... i think i wrote a post on that earlier. We have definitely seen improvement on that already! hmmm oh yes, you will have to provide a copy of titers, vaccines, insurance, CPR, etc to your clinical instructor each and every quarter. Just make a packet and have that ready to make copies and then you won't even have to think about it :) This is literally all I can come up with. I chose this program over Columbia and have never regretted it once. I went to UCLA for my undergrad... there I felt like I was just a number (not to say I didn't LOVE my experience and yes I'm a Bruin for life lol). But here, FAR FROM IT. A small class setting definitely makes a difference! You can email professors with questions (and not feel intimidated doing so) and get an answer within 24 hr, you have their cell phone number for any questions/problems that may arise, huge support from your fellow cohort members, and --------------

@RNNP
For some reason, I can't edit my previous post is it true that we have to find our own preceptors? I had asked -------------- about that and she said that she personally arranges for the students. However, I read previous threads saying that the administration always says theyll set up preceptors but never end up doing so...so students are scrambling to find one.
Also, do you think the program itself is disorganized? Again, I saw it on this forum people complaining if that. But after meeting ----------------------, I don't see how she can make anything disorganized.. She's so on top.of it!

snailszy · Mar 10, 2015

Oh wow! Thanks for the insight sweet pea and RNNP! And thank you for taking your time to answer my questions. I really appreciate it! I also went to UCLA and never felt that the teachers were approachable.

I'm wondering how's the application for the NP/ FNP process. I know there's an essay portion where you state the specialty you want. Are there letters of recommendation ABSN students need to obtain? What else is used to determine if you get your speciality or not? I heard that FNP is pretty popular and some people don't get in :/

@Rnnp

How hard are the ABSN classes? Are they as hard as the ucla LS classes haha? I HATED those!

Thank you!

xxsweetpeaxx87 · Mar 10, 2015

We just turned in our MSN apps last week. The application for the MSN is an essay, 2 LORs and an application similar to the one for the ABSN. --------------- said that we could use our original essays which I think most people used as a baseline but tailored it to the speciality that they wanted. The LORs consist of one from one of your clinical instructors and then --------------------- picks your best letter from your original application and gives it back to you. The decision is based on grades (only the first two quarters of the absn!!! holler), essay and letter of recs.

FNP was popular for this cohort but it depends on the cohort. Go into it with an open mind, I thought I wanted FNP but switched to ACNP pretty early on. It's hard to say you are def something without the clinical experience yet and knowing what type of environment you thrive in (fast paced, high pressure = ACNP). Also, ANP is an equally great choice, its similar to FNP but minus the PEDs (14 and up) and its considered more specialized so a nurse just recently told me they get paid more, so I wouldn't rule that option out if I were you. The last cohort said everyone got their first choice except for 2 people. It might be different for us because there at 30 of us versus the previous cohorts only had 20. But if you get accepted into this program than we will let you know at your orientation because our cohort will answers questions for the newbies.

The classes are hard but they are doable. In the first quarter I had this fear like "can I even do this? will I even pass, everyone is sooooo smart, I am not that smart." But after doing exceptionally well the first 2 quarters, that fear has gone away. Of course the classes are challenging but you wouldn't have made it this far if you weren't capable in the first place.