CSULB ELM 2013 Hopefuls!

choe.cm · Dec 1, 2012

I actually didn't apply to the ELM program at Long Beach because they don't have an accelerated BSN anymore. It used to be in 16 months but now it will take 2 years. So I just applied for the basic BSN and hopefully get the trimester option. Good luck to you guys though!

jcsong · Dec 7, 2012

Hi! For those of you who have applied through CSUMentor, have you sent in your transcripts yet? Does anyone know when those would be due? And do we still need to send a copy of the transcripts for the supplemental application to the SON? I currently still have one prereq in progress and I was thinking of holding off sending the transcripts until that grade is posted, but I keep on receiving notifications from Enrollment Services saying that they need the transcripts in order to make an admission decision... is anyone else experiencing this problem?

Update:

I just called the Admissions office and they said the transcripts are technically not due until July, but the earlier they are sent in, the sooner they will be forwarded to the SON.

CSUNgrad14 · Jan 2, 2013

Any word on when the next information session will be? The nursing website says that they will announce a date after the election, but nothing is posted yet. . .

ktizzles · Jan 25, 2013

Any word on when the next information session will be? The nursing website says that they will announce a date after the election, but nothing is posted yet. . .

I took my TEAS there last week and the admissions lady said they are still waiting for a date for an info session, but she will post it on the website right away. I'm looking forward to it!

CSUNgrad14 · Jan 26, 2013

Thanks for the update ktizzles!

How was the TEAS for you? I am planning to take mine next month and keep hearing how much more challenging the V version is than the previous versions. It's making me a bit apprehensive. :/

ktizzles · Jan 26, 2013

The TEAS was sort of stressful for me. I am usually good at standardized tests, but I had to stay at my bf's house to be able to get there on time in the morning (since I live in Redlands), and then I was nervous about finding where I was going and being late and not sleeping well and AHH! I think I over-caffeinated myself, and ended up waiting almost 45 minutes to get in to take the test. Once I was there, it was totally a relaxed environment. We were allowed to leave the room for breaks and whatever, and the "feel" in the room wasn't stressful at all. Anyway, so I screwed up one of the math problems and started to panic a little, but at least got through all (but didn't have time to recheck my answer on one) of the problems. I ended up with an 89.3% overall and 90% on math (darn math problem!), which was better than I did on the practice tests. I was super happy with my score until I saw that last group's average was 89.4%! The results said I was in the 98th percentile, so I can at least feel great about that :)

Do you have the version V study guide? I took one of the online tests and 1.5 of the practice tests in the back of the book. The thing that helped me most was taking the practice tests and really understanding the material I got wrong. Science was the hardest section for me, since it is all just memorizing. Some of the reading was hard for me to figure out too. Deciding if something is a "simple sentence" or if a sentence is a summary or topic sentence is something I had NEVER had to do, so I think of it as something specific I had to learn just to take the TEAS.

Since I hadn't taken any other version, I don't know how much harder version V is compared with previous ones. Just go into the test being confident that you will do well, and remind yourself how prepared you are during the test. It might sound silly, but it helps to keep you in a good mindset to do well! Good luck!

CSUNgrad14 · Jan 27, 2013

Wow! Thanks for all the input. It sounds like you performed quite well so I'm sure your scores will be a great asset to your overall CSULB score. I did purchase a book which has 5 practice tests for the V version but I am contemplating purchasing a study guide as well. I completely agree it all is about preparing beforehand and keeping your cool during the exam.

eatcakeforsanity · Feb 1, 2013

Only one month to go til we start sending in applications!!!

How did everyone do on their TEAS?

Also, does anyone else not have any healthcare experience? I have zero, other than volunteering at a convalescent hospital when I was in high school.

ktizzles · Feb 1, 2013

My healthcare experience is VERY limited too! I worked at a veterinary clinic in high school (not people, but we did surgeries and gave shots and meds and all that), and I've been volunteering at Loma Linda Children's Hospital since 2007. The volunteering is completely just playing games with kids. We aren't allowed to do anything that would be the least big medical with them.

I think I know what you're saying though. In my prereq classes, it seemed like half the people in them already work in the medical field or their parents, etc. did. It was frustrating sometimes, cause teachers would assume we knew certain things because "most" students had experience. Maybe the ELM program is a little more forgiving and understands that we are coming from non-nursing backgrounds. That would be great!

I'm so glad to have found this site though. It seems like a good place to get info on ANYTHING nursing related and connect with people on whatever issues are out there.

jcsong · Feb 1, 2013

did anyone take the TEAS at a location other than CSULB? do you guys if we have to send in an official score report from ATI or will the printout from the ATI website be ok to include in the application packet?

ktizzles · Feb 1, 2013

You need to send in official scores. Anyone could edit their own printout I think it's like $20 through the ATI website.

chouxpastry · Feb 2, 2013

hi future nurses! i am a current elm student and can answer some of the questions that have been thrown out here on this thread...

-no, you do not need a minimum 3.0 undergrad gpa to get admitted. cumulatively with your prereqs you do. such was my case.

-a good teas score can compensate for a poor gpa, i.e. 90% or higher.

-you do not need any sort of previous health care experience to qualify or even be admitted. if i'm not mistaken, admissions to the elm program is based on numbers alone. this is not necessarily the case for the tradition bsn.

-yes, new grad MSNs have been able to find new grad work. the face of california health care is ever changing, and with that numerous opportunities for new grad MSNs have opened.

unless the curriculum has drastically changed, be prepared for an intense program. most will succeed, but not without challenges. that being said, this was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. go nursing :)