CSULB Fall 2012 BSN

DarkBluePhoenix · Mar 12, 2012

Jess: I can see. Summer classes are hard. The nursing program wont be like semester summers though. Your semesters would still belike 10 weeks long....not like 6 weeks like your probably used to. I loved 10 week quarters at Cal Poly. It went by soooo fast! I miss it!

Basic is a good option, and the best option if your unsure.

caligurl9 · Mar 12, 2012

Well besides the year and cost differences between the semester and trimester program, you do clinicals only at LBMH for the trimester program and a vast array of hospitals for the semester program. Taking your clinicals at one hospital is very convenient. However, going to multiple hospitals will allow you to visit more places and form more connections. It just depends on the person and his/her situation to which program is more suited for him/her.

I want to do the trimester program to get this all out of the way. In addition, I'm at LBMH every week because I have been volunteering in the Child Life Program there for over a year. I love that hospital! If I can get into the trimester program it would be nice because I already know a lot of people in the pediatric units and know most hospital layout pretty well. =]

caligurl9 · Mar 13, 2012

I don't plan on working, at least not for the first semester. I want to see what the program is like to see IF I could even handle working.

Same with me. I'm lucky my parents have a college fund for me so I won't be stuck with loans or have to pay for my rent. The only way I will end up working is if I can handle it in the trimester program, which is unlikely. It would be nice to have some extra cash though. I'm considering being a tutor, which is what I do now. The only problem is idk if the hours would make sense. My only free days would probably be on the weekend and most students need tutoring during the week...

DarkBluePhoenix · Mar 13, 2012

Sounds like a plan! I work as a CNA and also tutor on the side. IF you can tutor at school and lay out the times well, then I think you can do that. You wont make much especially if you only get a few people one hour a week. I tutor in groups, paid by the school but I also private tutor as well. It aint bad, I dont charge much but I dont get called often because the private tutor is one who goes to my group sessions as well.

If you can get the school to pay you tutoring, then that is a good bet, as well as on the side.

You can always work LATER in the program, like when the hype dies down and you get used to the feel of the workload

caligurl9 · Mar 13, 2012

@Victor 3397 Thanks! If you're the only guy there i'll be able to pick you out.
About the living at home thing, when i do get into a program (be it fall or spring) i actually do plan to move out. My house is quite crowded and my family quite loud, not a stimulating environment for a nursing student.

I have 9 people in my family and I'm the oldest child, so I def understand what you mean! LOL Even though I only live about 30-40 minutes away from CSULB, I don't want to waist any time driving to school

caligurl9 · Mar 13, 2012

I hope so! =]

lucyc66 · Mar 13, 2012

@caligurl9 Wow, now that's a big family! I'm the second oldest of 6, with 5 of us living at home. The youngest is 2 and she loves being in my room and talking to me when i'm trying to study. I also have a dog, which is the main reason I'll be moving out. If i didn't have him i could spend all day at the library no problem, but I can't leave him alone for so long. Plus i'll be 22 by the time i start so it's really time to move on.

DarkBluePhoenix · Mar 13, 2012

Interview count down: 2 days!

WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

If we all get in, you will see I am kinda wacky. Just nod your head :)

flyinginabluedream · Mar 13, 2012

I'm at school on Monday, Thursday and Friday. Monday's I have to be at the hospital at 6:30am, Thursday at school at 9:30am and 9:00am on Friday. I do work, but very limited hours. I'm going to try and find a place in Long Beach for next semester but if I'm not able to and we end up having classes on the same day then maybe we can carpool. Good luck everybody!

Oh, and for capstones I recommend Literature and Medicine, and Comic Spirit with Prof. McLoone. I still have one capstone to go but I enjoyed those classes. There is a lot of writing involved in the capstone classes so if you are doing the basic program then you should probably try to take care of the capstones over the summer to lighten your load during Fall and Spring.

As for the interview, don't worry about it too much. I thought I did terribly and I got accepted, so apparently I didn't do too badly.

Here is the link to the orientation packet, it includes the schedule for the program and when they recommend you to take GEs and capstones.

http://www.csulb.edu/colleges/chhs/departments/nursing/docs/OrientationPacketSpring2012.pdf

Oh and taking care of Pharmacology, Pathophysiology and Nutrition will help lighten your load during your first semester quite a bit. But if you are doing trimester program, it's the GE classes and the capstones that you need to get out of the way in order to lighten your load. I'm not trying to talk anyone out of doing trimester, I just want you to be informed about how difficult it is going to be, whether or not you are used to a quarter or semester schedule.

DarkBluePhoenix · Mar 13, 2012

Oh you got in last spring?! How is it?

I was under the impression that you were competing with us.

Thanks for the info!

flyinginabluedream · Mar 13, 2012

Haha no, no more competition for me. I like it a lot. I mean, sometimes I'm like "What did I get myself into?!", but I've been told that it gets better after the first semester so I'm looking forward to that. I can answer any questions you guys have. OH! And I would highly recommend getting your blood titers done and working on any immunizations that you may need ASAP. Just because you had the immunizations doesnt mean you are immune, so get the titers done. You need Hep B, Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Varicella. Wait till later to get the Influenza vaccine and the 2-step TB test. This is only a part of the Health clearance required and it can get pretty expensive, so start saving up now.

cali_nature_girl · Mar 13, 2012

Flyinginabluedream,

Thank you so much for the packet!! It has so much valuable information :thankya: