CSULA ELMN Applicants 2010

innatchka · Feb 28, 2010

Thanks for sharing that with us!
I'm curious, what are everyone's experiences and background?
I graduated from uci with a degree in biological sciences. I've worked at a biotech company for 2 years and for the past 2 years I've been working as a clinical research coordinator at cedars Sinai medical center. I see patients everyday for my research study and that experience has been my greatest motivation to pursue nursing. Hopefully it's enough to get in the program!

Small world, joomerz. I do preclinical Alzheimer's research at CSMC. :) We are doing translational research that we hope will eventually help humans, but it's definitely delayed gratification. I want to go into nursing because I want to have an immediate positive effect on people, but I still want my job to involve science.

I have a B.A. in Psychology from UCLA, but about halfway through that degree I realized I didn't want to become a therapist or a social worker. Again, I wanted more hard science.

I love that nursing combines working with people and using applied science. I got super excited when the coordinator started talking about the curriculum and the clinicals schedule. I could totally picture myself attending CSULA - in fact, the only drawback I felt was the price, which she confirmed was 32k for the prelicensure part and about 12-18k for the Masters portion depending on the specialty.

joomerz · Feb 28, 2010

Hey innatcha,

it is a small world! I'm doing research for the division of rheumatology. How Long have you been working at csmc?

if you do get accepted, do you plan on continuing to work at csmc? I've talked to the nursing coordinator at csmc and she told me that cedars has tuition reimbursement if you work atleast part time. The only thing that really deters me from the program is the tuition. I'll be lucky to get accepted, but at the same time I'm concerned about the costs.

innatchka · Feb 28, 2010

I've been at Cedars for nearly 3 years, but I do intend to quit if I get accepted to school. Given the schedule, I could maybe come in one or two days a week, and I don't think that would be useful for my boss (our jobs are mostly done in the mornings/early afternoon including some weekends). The coordinator told me that while people are not banned from working, she doesn't recommend they work more than 20 hours a week. I was hoping to pick up some tutoring at the local CC for spending money.

Honestly, it's not the cost of tuition that bothers me (I could deal with 50k for the education we'll be getting) - it's the living expenses I'm worried about - rent, food, gas, etc. Now that I don't live with my parents and have to account for all these things, I'm worried I may incur a lot of debt just trying to live while in the program.

At my interview I asked about financial aid, and the coordinator told me that there are scholarships that students find on their own on the internet, but that the school isn't getting much funding this year for nursing, so I don't know how much help they can give. It's a good idea to fill out your FAFSA if you haven't already - I believe it's due March 1. Not that I think that'll help me very much - I made too much last year to qualify for much financial aid even though I won't have much of that money to see me through the coming year.

Sorry for the long-winded post - just wanted to express how exciting the program seems, and how frustrating it is that money has to be such a deciding factor. :confused:

PeaceSL · Mar 4, 2010

Hi all,

After emailing I learned that my application file is complete and that she is still finalizing interviews. Does anyone know if there will be a waiting list? If so, how many people?

As for my experiences and background, I received a BS with a Health Sciences degree, interned with an OB-GYN and volunteered in different departments in hospitals.

Did anyone get accepted into the program already?

MiahMSN, MSN, RN · Mar 4, 2010

Hi Everyone,

I didn't apply to CSULA. I've been accepted into CSUDH's MEPN program for the fall 2010 cohort. It's actually the only program I applied to, so I'm estactic that I got in. So I'm just lurking, seeing how everyone is doing with their apply/interview/wait process. Wow, I had no clue that CSULA's program was that much?!?! One of the reason's I chose Dominguez was the price - a little over $5000/year, and it's a two year program. The only thing is they only offer CNL option, not NP. I'm sure CSULA is worth it, though. I have a BA from Berkeley and an MA from USC, so Domiguez if PERFECT in comparison to my previous student loans.

Well, good luck to everyone! Hope you all start hearing something soon! Dominguez's process is a little different. You have to attend one of their workshops (they offer 5) and your portfolio is due 30 days after the workshop. Then you get called in for an interview, followed by a descision several weeks later.

Again, best of luck in school and in your future careers in nursing!

DROBERTO · Mar 8, 2010

Mya2bRN,

I'm really interested in the program at CSUDH. What are the prereqs to get in? Do you mind giving me any helpful tidbits about the program?

Also, you indicate that you want your specialty to be Neonatal in the future, however CSUDH does not offer that specialty. Would you have to go to another school to achieve that specialty and is that a diffcicult process (Reapplying to a new program, etc)? I ask this because I really want to go to CSUDH however I want to go for a psychiatric-mental health emphasis. I am also looking into CSULB and CSULA because they offer that specialty, but I just was wondering if going an alternative route at CSUDH was also an option.

Thanks!

DRoberto

Thanks in advance to any help you can provide! :)

MiahMSN, MSN, RN · Mar 8, 2010

Hey DRoberto, no problem! The prereqs are pretty much the same as all of the other programs - anatomy, phsyiology, microbiology, english, speech, statistics, sociology or anthropology, physchology, research, and they require a 3 unit pathophysiology couse as well. I completed all, except the sciences, in undergrad, so I just had those 4 classes to take. You are right, CSUDH does not have that speciality, they only offer the CNL role for the MEPN program. So my plan is to get into a new grad rn program after graduating and hopefully get a fulltime position in a level 3 or 4 NICU. Since I will already have my MSN, I can get a post-master's certificate in Neonatal Nurse Practitioner. Most programs require that you have 1 year (some 2) in a NICU and then I can apply to a post-masters program (this would be the same process for anyone who has an MSN in another role option, but would like to get a NP or CNS license in another speciality area, you would do a post-masters certificate). Most of the NNP post-masters certificate programs are 1 year - the courses are online and I would just have to find a preceptor site to conduct my neonatal clinical hours required for NP, and it cannot include hours in my current role as a neonatal RN. And after completion of the courses and clinical hours (1 year) I can sit for the NNP state exam to become licensed.

CSUDH's school of nursing does offer a FNP role option, but again, not for MEPN students. However, many of the classes overlap, so one could finish the MEPN program then go on to get the FNP post master's certificate as well. But that's only if you wanted to do family practice......my heart is set on neonates!!

It is a process, but I know the 2 years will go by fast. Furthermore, unless you are doing a direct-entry program that has a NP role option attached to it, then when we are done, we will all be competing for a spot in a new grad rn program with new ADNs and BSNs! Which is fine with me. I've spent the last 9 years having a career in pr/marketing, and even though I work for a healthcare plan, I'm entering a totally new territory, so I welcome all of the entry/general/bedside nursing experience I can get. That's the complaint I've heard from many, is that those coming from direct-entry programs don't realize that a MSN is no better than a new ADN or BSN if you have NO experience. We all have to get the experience first. The only advantage, is that we have the advanced degree and can quickly move up in management or go back to get a post-master's certificate in a speciality area and it doesn't take much time. Where the time comes in to play, is actually getting the "nursing" experience on the floor after you complete a program.

CSUDH application process was somewhat intense. It's not just essay, letters of rec, and transcripts. All applicants are required to develop this massive portfolio with all these different pieces to it, and of course make it creative. And you have to do this 30 days after you attend one of the workshops. From there, you will hopefully get an interview then a descision soon after. I've done a lot of research and I'm confident that I've chosen the path that is best for me, and I hope that's what everyone does. This is a big commitment, a HUGH change for many of us, not to mention the money, so I would hope that everyone would choose the program that is best for them and their career goals.

I hope this helps. Best of luck and let me know if you have any other questions!

DROBERTO · Mar 9, 2010

Mya2bRN,

You are amazing! Thank you so much for all of your help!

However I was confused when you said this:

"Furthermore, unless you are doing a direct-entry program that has a NP role option attached to it, then when we are done, we will all be competing for a spot in a new grad rn program with new ADNs and BSNs!"

What do you mean by that?

My situation is that I got my BA in Psychology at UCI, and I am still soul searching and debating on pursuing an RN, NP or PA career. All I know is that I really really want to work in psychiatry/mental health but I just am not sure on what route/career to pursue. I am even thinking of getting my RN at a CC, then applying for MNP programs in psychiatric/mental health. Of course that route would take longer, (4-5 years total right?) but I could gain experience as an RN and it would be MUCH cheaper. I should be done with my prereqs at the end of this year...whats your two cents on my situation?

Thank you again for your help...your just awesome! I admire you for pursuing your dream against all of the odds! :yeah:

DRoberto

MiahMSN, MSN, RN · Mar 9, 2010

Awww, thanks for the compliments, you're too sweet!

What I meant by that is that there are direct entry programs that offer the NP option (you just have to find one that has your speciality - UCSF offers a direct-entry MSN with a Neonatal NP option, but it's 3 years and EXTREMELY costly)!

But for the most part, majority of the direct-entry MSN programs offer the Clinical Nurse Leader role option, which is the route I'm going. CNL is a new role and it's basically an advanced generalist(RN) as opposed to a CNS or NP, which are advanced specialists. So even though I will have a MSN, I will still have to apply to a new grad rn program in order to transition from student to RN. And I will be competing against those that are coming from ADN and BSN programs - no preferential treatment because I have a MSN- in the eyes of hospitals, I'm a green new RN like everyone else. But when you do a program with a NP role it's not always the same, although for many, I believe, you do prelicensure work the first two years, sit for the NCLEX, do a new grad rn program (like every other new nurse) than work as an RN while you return to do your last year of advanced courses for the NP role. Does that make sense??? It's a lot of information and can be very confusing, but i've been researching, living, breathing, sleeping nursing since I decided to start taking the prereqs I need, so I probably know way too much LOL.....it's really exhausting!

I can't tell you which route to take, as you can only answer that and choose what is best for you and your goals! Maybe you should contact a few schools you're interested in and see if you can go in for a brief informational meeting to get their advice on the best path to take. First thing I would do, however, is decide between PA and nursing, as they are different - then you can go on and decide between RN or NP. So just start doing your research and asking questions!

I hope this helps! Once you have 15 posts you can send private messages (sorry CSULA applicants for hijacking the thread!!), so feel free to send me a pm when you have access, if you have more questions! I applaud you for wanting to go into mental health - that is a population that many do not understand or stray away from, so it is admirable! Many say they couldn't do neonates, but I can't wait! Oddly enough, I would NEVER want to do peds! I can handle babies, but toddlers and young kids, sorry, couldn't do it - they make my nerves bad!! LOL.....crazy, I know!

cnszja · Mar 9, 2010

Does anybody know how many people are interviewing this year for how many slots? The coordinator told me there were 160 applicants total.

lilochitop · Mar 16, 2010

I believe there are 38 interviews from the 160 or so applicants. About 20 selected from the 38. Good luck to those who got interviews!

sarwithketchup · Mar 23, 2010

I just got my letter of acceptance via e-mail. Has anyone else gotten one yet? I really thought I didn't do well during the interview and was really pessimistic about getting in. I'm really excited about meeting the rest of the 2010 cohort!