CSULA's ABSN program Summer 2019

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Hello there!

I would love to start a thread of those applying for CSULA's ABSN program for summer 2019. I was hoping we could give each other some support and hopefully get to know each other a bit before starting school! I'm a little worried as I hear that the program is super competitive and I don't have many volunteer hours or experience. Is this a deciding factor in the decision process?

So sorry, @byoung10! You were my UCLA MECN waiting list buddy, good luck to you. It seems like the #3 person on the MECN waiting list got in, so maybe we are moving up? I really hope you get in to one of your remaining schools- best of luck to you!!

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1 hour ago, byoung10 said:

Welp, that's all she wrote folks. Just got my declination letter about an hour ago. Congrats to all those who got in! I'm still holding out for UCLA and CSUSM (fingers crossed).

I’m really sorry to hear as well and I hope you get into one of your other programs!

I literally just interviewed today and Dr. Hinoki said she wouldn’t finish interviewing everyone until mid-March, so I’m really surprised you’ve heard back already!

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5 hours ago, byoung10 said:

Welp, that's all she wrote folks. Just got my declination letter about an hour ago. Congrats to all those who got in! I'm still holding out for UCLA and CSUSM (fingers crossed).

Aw, I'm really sorry to hear that. It seems like just keeps getting more competitive. I was bummed when I found out that I didn't get into UCLA, so I really hope you get in or to CSUSM! Both are great programs and I have a feeling you'd excel in either. Thank you so much for sharing and keeping us updated. ?

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59 minutes ago, nicxrt said:

Aw, I'm really sorry to hear that. It seems like just keeps getting more competitive. I was bummed when I found out that I didn't get into UCLA, so I really hope you get in or to CSUSM! Both are great programs and I have a feeling you'd excel in either. Thank you so much for sharing and keeping us updated. ?

I think it also goes to show you- we can never be sure of what exactly any one program is looking for. @byoung10 was one ahead of me on the waitlist for MECN, so why no interview at CSULA?? Who knows. I hope we all wind up somewhere that fits us- and that it happens this year!

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On 3/2/2019 at 4:13 PM, byoung10 said:

Welp, that's all she wrote folks. Just got my declination letter about an hour ago. Congrats to all those who got in! I'm still holding out for UCLA and CSUSM (fingers crossed).

Hey I’m sorry to hear this- don’t let it get you down- it’s the most competitive thing to get into a nursing program these days. This is my second year of applying- I got a 4.0 in all my prerequisites and was rejected from all schools last year, and even this year. Last year I was waitlisted at CSULA. Dr. Hinoki suggested I do a few things which I will gladly pass on: #1, get clinical experience and #2, get a really good hands on volunteer gig. The TCAB Program at Cedars is specifically designed for pre nursing students. I highly recommend it. They are always accepting new people. The other thing I did was get certified as an EMT and now I work as an EMT in the field. It has helped me immensely as I now have a lot more understanding and practical application of patient care. UCLA has a 4 week accelerated emt program that is HARD AS HECK but will really prepare you - and the sooner you get certified the longer you have to gain experience before next year. Best of luck and like I said, you will keep going and if you put your mind and time into it you’re gonna get there.

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Just now, bkturtle said:

Hey I’m sorry to hear this- don’t let it get you down- it’s the most competitive thing to get into a nursing program these days. This is my second year of applying- I got a 4.0 in all my prerequisites and was rejected from all schools last year, and even this year. Last year I was waitlisted at CSULA. Dr. Hinoki suggested I do a few things which I will gladly pass on: #1, get clinical experience and #2, get a really good hands on volunteer gig. The TCAB Program at Cedars is specifically designed for pre nursing students. I highly recommend it. They are always accepting new people. The other thing I did was get certified as an EMT and now I work as an EMT in the field. It has helped me immensely as I now have a lot more understanding and practical application of patient care. UCLA has a 4 week accelerated emt program that is HARD AS HECK but will really prepare you - and the sooner you get certified the longer you have to gain experience before next year. Best of luck and like I said, you will keep going and if you put your mind and time into it you’re gonna get there.

I should mention that I’m still in the pool of applicants at CSULA this year, but I already was rejected from a few schools over the last year and a half. CSULA is and always has been my first choice. So here’s hoping and praying that this is the right time for me.

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I second @bkturtle's response. UCLA's EMT accelerated program will give you a sense of nursing exam type questions (all four answers to this question are right, pick the best one -_-). The Director also RAVES about the COPE Health Scholar program (an accelerated option is available too, which I did). There's also UCLA's Clinical Care Extender program. I had my interview already and all 3 of these experiences, I'd say, have definitely contributed to why I'm part of the current applicant pool at CSULA.

Also, can this month go by any faster?

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1 hour ago, etchensketch said:

I second @bkturtle's response. UCLA's EMT accelerated program will give you a sense of nursing exam type questions (all four answers to this question are right, pick the best one -_-). The Director also RAVES about the COPE Health Scholar program (an accelerated option is available too, which I did). There's also UCLA's Clinical Care Extender program. I had my interview already and all 3 of these experiences, I'd say, have definitely contributed to why I'm part of the current applicant pool at CSULA.

Also, can this month go by any faster?

UCLA also has a nursing volunteer program (different than clinical care extender, which tends more toward front desk duties)- I was part of that program. I can't comment on whether it's enough, because this is my first time applying and we don't know the outcome yet, but I really liked the program (it is hands on, patient care centered- like you are doing patient interaction your first shift). I logged 231 hours in one year and it was enough for an interview, at least.

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@RNtobe26 It depends on the unit. Med Surg units will definitely have volunteers at the front mostly. But I've done NICU and ER with direct patient experience the entire time ?

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Just now, etchensketch said:

@RNtobe26 It depends on the unit. Med Surg units will definitely have volunteers at the front mostly. But I've done NICU and ER with direct patient experience the entire time ?

My first two rotations in the program were med surg, and it was patient care all the way. I would just suggest the nursing volunteer program to those who want patient interaction- we still did front desk sometimes, but it was really prioritized that if we had both types of volunteers (nursing and care extender) at a shift, the care extender did front desk and nursing volunteer did more patient centered stuff. NICU was the greatest!! I loved it there.

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I think that's why the Director prefers the COPE Health Scholar program. Much more rigorous training and direct patient experience no matter the unit (and volunteers don't have to "compete" against each other).

But yay clinical experience (in all forms!). Anything will help the application ?

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19 minutes ago, etchensketch said:

I think that's why the Director prefers the COPE Health Scholar program. Much more rigorous training and direct patient experience no matter the unit (and volunteers don't have to "compete" against each other).

But yay clinical experience (in all forms!). Anything will help the application ?

Had to google the COPE Health Scholars program- it sounds like an amazing opportunity! I had only heard about it tangentially through AllNurses, and wish I'd looked into it sooner. I think I probably still would have done the UCLA Nursing Volunteer Program, because of the locations (I'm closer to UCLA than anywhere else listed as a COPE site), but the training COPE provides sounds excellent. Something to think about if I need to go a second round for applications! ?

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