CSULA FALL 2020

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Hello. I wanted to create this forum for people who are applying to Cal State Los Angeles for Fall 2020. This is a place where we can discuss and compare statistics between us, as well as ask questions regarding the program. Thank you and good luck to you all!

25 minutes ago, theealexmartin said:

I live closer to LA.

Are there any note worthy differences between the two programs (besides the time frame)?

My fellow cohorts add me on IG Lazytitties.

Also I hope all of you are staying the *** home for the next two week and not touching anyone or licking doorknobs.

whats your IG?

just followed you! @_jennynguo
some noteworthy differences might be the clinical sites and probably nursing clubs on campus...that's all that came to mind RN. don't know about CSULB, but typically all lecture classes are on the same day for CSULA, which is convenient for anyone who lives far from campus.

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8 minutes ago, jennittoo said:

just followed you! @_jennynguo
some noteworthy differences might be the clinical sites and probably nursing clubs on campus...that's all that came to mind RN. don't know about CSULB, but typically all lecture classes are on the same day for CSULA, which is convenient for anyone who lives far from campus.

That’s nice that they keep the lectures all in one day, that helps a lot. How often do you do clinicals? How long are the shifts? Can you choose which days and which hospitals you can do clinicals at? Do you find the time for a social life and work? Thanks for answering our questions. I added you on ig as well ? It’s nice to get to know a current student!

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29 minutes ago, ninja1968 said:

That’s nice that they keep the lectures all in one day, that helps a lot. How often do you do clinicals? How long are the shifts? Can you choose which days and which hospitals you can do clinicals at? Do you find the time for a social life and work? Thanks for answering our questions. I added you on ig as well ? It’s nice to get to know a current student!

I'm excited to meet you all too! During your first semester at CSULA, all lectures are on the same day and possibly your health assessment lab too, but most sections are on other days of the week. After the first sem, you'll be on campus 1 day a week, and 1 day for clinicals off-campus (with the exception of your 4th sem of nursing school). During orientation, you're given a list of clinical sites and you can pick your top 3, but in the end, it's the nursing faculty that choose your clinical site and day. Each clinical site has their designated day, and clinicals are from 7:00-4:00. Of course, this time frame varies by professor because some will require you to come earlier than 7:00 so you can have the opportunity to take vital signs or hear SBAR reports. Having a social life and working is definitely possible yet difficult — but it's all about time management! If you do work, I suggest working part-time only...faculty recommended no more than 20 hours a week for us. I found it really hard to be frequently in touch with my friends outside of nursing school, but on the bright side, you'll make nursing friends you'll spend a lifetime with and who'll understand what you're going through ? Most of my time outside of nursing classes and studying were spent at work or in nursing clubs (and leadership positions associated with them).

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5 minutes ago, jennittoo said:

I'm excited to meet you all too! During your first semester at CSULA, all lectures are on the same day and possibly your health assessment lab too, but most sections are on other days of the week. After the first sem, you'll be on campus 1 day a week, and 1 day for clinicals off-campus (with the exception of your 4th sem of nursing school). During orientation, you're given a list of clinical sites and you can pick your top 3, but in the end, it's the nursing faculty that choose your clinical site and day. Each clinical site has their designated day, and clinicals are from 7:00-4:00. Of course, this time frame varies by professor because some will require you to come earlier than 7:00 so you can have the opportunity to take vital signs or hear SBAR reports. Having a social life and working is definitely possible yet difficult — but it's all about time management! If you do work, I suggest working part-time only...faculty recommended no more than 20 hours a week for us. I found it really hard to be frequently in touch with my friends outside of nursing school, but on the bright side, you'll make nursing friends you'll spend a lifetime with and who'll understand what you're going through ? Most of my time outside of nursing classes and studying were spent at work or in nursing clubs (and leadership positions associated with them).

Just followed you as well!

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1 hour ago, ninja1968 said:

I added u on ig. And besides the time frame and the distance, Lb seems way faster of a pace (hence why you finish sooner). LA seems to be a program which will allow you to have a social life and a job which is appealing. Both are amazing programs!

My situation might be a little bit different from some others on this forum as I am in my 30's so finishing faster seems like a good idea? But on the other hand nursing is an applied science soooo maybe taking my time would make me a better nurse?

Ugh this is all so nuanced.

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Just now, theealexmartin said:

My situation might be a little bit different from some others on this forum as I am in my 30's so finishing faster seems like a good idea? But on the other hand nursing is an applied science soooo maybe taking my time would make me a better nurse?

Ugh this is all so nuanced.

I am 26 but I will be 27 by the time I start the program. I felt so out of place at CSULB’s communications exercise where everyone was like 19-22 years old! So I totally understand wanting to finish sooner. If I do CSULB trimester I would be done just before my 29th birthday, but if I do CSULA, I will be 30 years old. Seems nice to be done before I turn 30! LOL.

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1 minute ago, ninja1968 said:

I am 26 but I will be 27 by the time I start the program. I felt so out of place at CSULB’s communications exercise where everyone was like 19-22 years old! So I totally understand wanting to finish sooner. If I do CSULB trimester I would be done just before my 29th birthday, but if I do CSULA, I will be 30 years old. Seems nice to be done before I turn 30! LOL.

I'm already passed 30.....

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1 minute ago, theealexmartin said:

I'm already passed 30.....

You’re fine LOL. I just understand wanting to be done faster so don’t worry about age!

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10 minutes ago, ninja1968 said:

You’re fine LOL. I just understand wanting to be done faster so don’t worry about age!

but it is worth the drive/stress to just be done faster?!?!?

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1 minute ago, theealexmartin said:

but it is worth the drive/stress to just be done faster?!?!?

Ahhhh I don’t know!! Glad to know I’m not alone in this dilemma. ????

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1 minute ago, theealexmartin said:

but it is worth the drive/stress to just be done faster?!?!?

I personally don't think so. I understand your concerns about your age. I'm 29, and I feel the same way. I'd rather take my time, so I can properly develop the skills I need to succeed after nursing school vs just rushing through a program, just so I can get done faster. Nursing school is already stressful- the extra load from the trimester program is only going to make it more difficult.

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The thing is I would be down to do trimester because they do all of their clinicals at LBMMC which is only like 26 miles from my house. I would be stressed, but I’d be done in 21 months so at least I would be stressed for only a little while, you know?

But if I get stuck in semester... then I may get assigned a clinical super far away and I would only be done 5 months sooner than CSULA (Dec 2022 vs May 2023 doesn’t seem like a huge difference right?). Has anyone considered paying the deposits for both schools and waiting it out until the orientation at LB, which is June 19th... because that is when we would learn more about the program, clinicals, and that would be the day we would find out if we are in semester and trimester. I kind of want to know this info before deciding!! But I know it would be wrong to take up someone else’s spot on a waitlist just to be selfish LOL. I would decline an offer basically right after Long Beach’s orientation. Does anyone know if this is allowed, or would I get in trouble for this somehow? I’m aware I would not get my money back from the college I decline.

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