CSULA 2015 ABSN Program

Adnil89 · Mar 25, 2015

Hi friends!

I got the call around 2:30pm today, and I interviewed last Wednesday! Super excited to meet you all. I'm from San Jose, and will be looking for places to live near the csula area. I'm hoping to move in with a fellow classmate as well. If anyone has any recommendations on places to live, or would like to get to know me (I'm pretty cool!) please message :)

berries11 · Mar 25, 2015

She emailed me before I had a chance to email her. I have been accepted to the program as well.

YAY~ I'm excited to meet you guys :)

jhc12 · Mar 25, 2015

@berries11, I missed the call around 2-3ish today too and couldn't call back. I just received an email with the formal offer for admission! Maybe look out for this email! :)

Congrats to those who heard back today, and good luck to everyone else!!

jhc12 · Mar 25, 2015

Oops I didn't see your update. Yay congrats!!

ajt87 · Mar 25, 2015

I got in too! Got a voicemail in the afternoon. Congrats to all!

ShirleyRex · Mar 25, 2015

@Adnil89 Congrats! Off the bat, I think Pasadena would be a great place to move to.

ajt87 · Mar 25, 2015

@lgripe and Current Students,

I have a few questions about what made you choose this program:

Did you apply to other CSUs in SoCal? What sets this program apart from other similar programs (aside from the direct entry option)?

Did you know you wanted to go into the direct entry MSN program from the beginning of the program? Are any of your classmates choosing to wait and work a few years before going back to get an MSN?

Does CSULA have any support for students in finding jobs after graduating?

Where do you hope to work after graduating?

@lgripe - I wanted to PM you specifically about your decision, but wasn't able to. What made you choose to go to LA over LB? I know both of their programs have changed a bit in the past few years and LB doesn't have the ELMSN anymore. However, I'm trying to weigh the pros and cons between the two. With the Trimester program at LB and the switch to semester at LA, I would finish both at the same time anyway. I'm a little torn at the moment.

Now that this is really happening, it's hard to make a decision! Thank you!

TLeeM · Mar 25, 2015

I applied to a few other schools (accepted to one other), but not any other CSU programs. The main reason why I did not apply to others was because none had the direct entry option like CSULA. I am a bit older, so it was important for me to be able to push thru to the NP track and to avoid the application process again (it was brutal LOL). LB was not accepting for the ELMN type program anymore. CSULA had so many pros compared to many of the other programs it would have been crazy for me to turn it down. Cost - definite pro - once you are out of the ABSN portion it is very affordable, Degrees earned - both a BSN and MSN-NP; Program coordinator (you all love her....); Proximity to home (I did not have to move); Hospital affiliations - LAC+USC, Kaiser, Huntington, Glendale, CHLA, Keck - all great locations/facilities. And the reputation is pretty good. Rankings are good. And all CSULA nurses we have met (ELMNs especially) are pretty kick ass. I am not going to take time off between the programs (as I mentioned...I am not getting any younger), but may consider doing part time to work - but I will deal with that decision once I have actually graduated and have an RN behind my name :-).

ShirleyRex · Mar 26, 2015

Does anyone know our cohort number? I think we're 12, but I'm not positive.

pistachio0_ · Mar 27, 2015

I'm in too :) Congrats to everyone who has been accepted!

Are all of you set on going directly into the MSN portion? Still weighing my options btwn this program and a traditional BSN at SFSU. Ultimately I do want to go for the NP, but I'm not sure about going directly into it without prior RN work experience. Does anyone know if we have the option to defer our admission into the MSN portion after completion of the ABSN?

@ajt87 I was initially considering LB as well, but what I personally found less attractive about their program is 1)Even though most students do get their first choice of programs, you are not guaranteed the trimester, so it could take 3 years to complete! 2)The trimester program does all their clinicals (w/ the exception of pubic health) at LB Memorial. That could be perfect if you plan to work at LB Memorial after, but I prefer to get more of a range of hospital settings to help me determine where I might want to work down the road. Good luck to you and everyone else in your decisions!

snailszy · Mar 27, 2015

Hi everyone! I went to high school a rock's throw from csula and live around the area so feel free to PM me about where to live etc. I actually recommend living in Alhambra. Supermarkets and food in the 626 are VERY cheap and there is great Mexican food in East LA and very authentic and amazing Asian food everywhere. Pasadena itself is expensive and parking is pricey and inconvenient. Alhambra is probably a 5-10 min drive to csula!

But relatively, San Gabriel valley is pretty condensed. Nothing is more than half an hour away if it is along the freeway :)

berries11 · Mar 27, 2015

I spoke to the director and she told me that we have the option to take a break after our ABSN portion. It would have to be for an year because of class offering schedules. She said that some of the people who got jobs right away took the break. Also, you have the option to do your MSN portion part time so you can potentially go to school and work at the same time for RN experience.