CSULB FALL 2020

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Hello. I wanted to create this forum for people who are applying to Cal State Long Beach for Fall 2020. This is a place where we can compare and discuss statistics between us, as well as ask questions regarding the program.

37 minutes ago, emily99 said:

Hello guys,

I'm planning to apply to CSULB nursing program for Spring 2021 and I was wondering if there is a minimum amount of units required in order to apply. I'm currently a second-year student with 59 units at the end of the semester so I am at the border line. Are we required to have 60 units in order to transfer out? Thank you guys.

@emily99 I think you are fine. I only had 52 CSU transferable credits by the time I applied to the program. Now I have 55, and by the time I am in the program (if I get accepted) I will have 61. Pretty sure you need to have 60 credits BY THE TIME YOU START, not by the time you apply to the program. I think as long as you have all of your pre-reqs done by the time you apply, you are good to go. Probably a good idea to finish all of the GE courses before you start anyways so you can focus on you nursing classes. But being honest I'm not 100% sure about any of this stuff LOL.

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5 hours ago, lulu99 said:

I think it’s interesting that this applicant received a communication email although your scores are lower that mine. (My score= 9.35).

Admissions replied to me saying that there hasn’t been talk about sending out more communication emails.

Can anyone advice me what they would do in this situation? I believe it’s really unfair since CSULB only cares about scores for their admission process. Hoping this isn’t a race issue as well since I am Middle Eastern and not White (safe to assume by username?). Let me know!

As far as we know, the point system is only based off of GPA, TEAS, and military service. However, ever since CSULB changed their website (sometime within the past year), their point system hasn't been available on the website. It's possible that they've started considering other factors like local preference. Also, I can't really remember what you got for your 2 chem courses, but do you think it's possible that they calculated your GPA differently than you did?

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2 hours ago, ninja1968 said:

@ramt13 Nice! I should be there for the 2pm so I will probably see you, although we are anonymous on here so you won't know which one I am hehehe LOL. Thank you for answering my question. Worst case scenario, If I end up in semester I could commit to commuting super far 1-2 times a week. My dad also lives in La Habra which would save me like 20 mins if I slept over there once in a while. Hopefully everything works out and I end up in trimester or if I do end up in semester, I am placed somewhere reasonably close.

I also wanted to ask you a couple more questions if you are willing to. But please feel free to ignore me if I am bugging you LOL!

  • how is your school load? I know you said clinicals are 1-2 times a week, but how about the classes?
  • What is your schedule like?
  • Is it possible to work while you are in the program, or is it best to only commit to school?
  • Is the semester program about 2.5 years, and trimester is less than 2 years?

CSULA was my first choice, but now I'm leaning more towards CSULB trimester. I've heard the work load for CSULB is harder, hence why it takes less time... CSULA is a solid 3 years, but far more relaxed and slower paced with summers off... this would make it MUCH easier for me to work and make some money while I'm in school. But, it would be so nice to finish sooner and start my nursing career quicker. I'm hoping I get accepted into both, but almost want to be denied by one to make my decision easier LOL.

So first semester we have 3 lectures and 1 lab (clinical). Clinical day is 8 hours and the 3 lectures we only go to once a week but they're about 2.5-3 hours each. So just to give you a picture, my clinical day is Mon 7-4, I have Tues off, Wed I have a class 8-10:45 and then another at 4-6:45, and Thursday one class 8-10:50 and then Friday off. But the schedules differ and I have a friend who has a class Tuesday and another friend whose clinical day is Friday. Our schedules are picked and organized by the staff so it was random.

School load is a lot, but I think it really depends on how you manage time. Which I'm sure you've already heard that before, but it's really true. I like to read chapters before the lecture and take some notes so when I go to lecture I'm focused on what the prof is saying and not just the lecture slides. There are very few hw assignments, at the beginning there's a lot of online stuff to do for class but nothing that takes too much time, just don't procrastinate! I would say it's just a lot of studying so definitely do not wait to study for an exam. So school load as a whole is a lot, but there are some days that I get to relax or go out with friends.

They told us that if it is possible for you to not work, then don't and just focus on school. But it is possible just not full time. Again, I think it's based on time management and if you think you can handle working a certain amount of hours + school. I know some people that are working and they are doing great!

If you get into the program fall 2020 and you're in trimester, you will finish May 2022 and if you're in semester then you would finish December 2022. The only difference is that trimester students would be in school over the Summer of 2021. The nursing program as a whole is 5 semesters. ?

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29 minutes ago, ramt13 said:

So first semester we have 3 lectures and 1 lab (clinical). Clinical day is 8 hours and the 3 lectures we only go to once a week but they're about 2.5-3 hours each. So just to give you a picture, my clinical day is Mon 7-4, I have Tues off, Wed I have a class 8-10:45 and then another at 4-6:45, and Thursday one class 8-10:50 and then Friday off. But the schedules differ and I have a friend who has a class Tuesday and another friend whose clinical day is Friday. Our schedules are picked and organized by the staff so it was random.

School load is a lot, but I think it really depends on how you manage time. Which I'm sure you've already heard that before, but it's really true. I like to read chapters before the lecture and take some notes so when I go to lecture I'm focused on what the prof is saying and not just the lecture slides. There are very few hw assignments, at the beginning there's a lot of online stuff to do for class but nothing that takes too much time, just don't procrastinate! I would say it's just a lot of studying so definitely do not wait to study for an exam. So school load as a whole is a lot, but there are some days that I get to relax or go out with friends.

They told us that if it is possible for you to not work, then don't and just focus on school. But it is possible just not full time. Again, I think it's based on time management and if you think you can handle working a certain amount of hours + school. I know some people that are working and they are doing great!

If you get into the program fall 2020 and you're in trimester, you will finish May 2022 and if you're in semester then you would finish December 2022. The only difference is that trimester students would be in school over the Summer of 2021. The nursing program as a whole is 5 semesters. ?


Honestly that sounds totally reasonable. But I’m sure most of the school work consists of studying more so than actual class time. I was working 5 days a week while taking 1 science course with a GE course every semester when I was preparing to apply, so I’m sure I can manage. I’m sure this will be harder, but I definitely do not plan on working full time. Was thinking 1-2 days a week max so I can at least have SOME money LOL.

The staff chooses your classes for you? That’s interesting, I know CSULA let’s you choose which hospital and which days you want to do your clinicals... as long as there is availability. Although many of the classes on campus only have 1 time/date to choose from.

Curious if there are any clinicals and/or classes on Saturdays and Sunday’s? I ask because I already work on Saturday and Sunday so it would be easy for me to just tell my boss I will be working weekends only, or even Saturday or Sunday. Since they choose the classes and clinicals for you I would imagine it would be hard to work during the week since you would have to change your schedule every semester which most bosses would not be happy with. But if weekends are always open that would make things much easier ? At the same time tho, I would also be willing to do a weekend clinical to save time on traffic... but if we cant choose than I guess it doesnt matter anyways.

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4 hours ago, ninja1968 said:


Honestly that sounds totally reasonable. But I’m sure most of the school work consists of studying more so than actual class time. I was working 5 days a week while taking 1 science course with a GE course every semester when I was preparing to apply, so I’m sure I can manage. I’m sure this will be harder, but I definitely do not plan on working full time. Was thinking 1-2 days a week max so I can at least have SOME money LOL.

The staff chooses your classes for you? That’s interesting, I know CSULA let’s you choose which hospital and which days you want to do your clinicals... as long as there is availability. Although many of the classes on campus only have 1 time/date to choose from.

Curious if there are any clinicals and/or classes on Saturdays and Sunday’s? I ask because I already work on Saturday and Sunday so it would be easy for me to just tell my boss I will be working weekends only, or even Saturday or Sunday. Since they choose the classes and clinicals for you I would imagine it would be hard to work during the week since you would have to change your schedule every semester which most bosses would not be happy with. But if weekends are always open that would make things much easier ? At the same time tho, I would also be willing to do a weekend clinical to save time on traffic... but if we cant choose than I guess it doesnt matter anyways.

Don't quote me on this, but I don't think there are any clinical days on the weekends, I haven't heard of anyone who has it on those days. However like I said, since my clinical day is Monday, sometimes I go on Sundays to pre plan!

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44 minutes ago, ramt13 said:

Don't quote me on this, but I don't think there are any clinical days on the weekends, I haven't heard of anyone who has it on those days. However like I said, since my clinical day is Monday, sometimes I go on Sundays to pre plan!

Yeah this sounds perfect for me. I would probably just work once a week on either Saturday or Sunday. That’s awesome you are off on Tuesdays and Fridays as well as weekends. Do you work right now? Also do you commute? Or do you live in Long Beach? Also is it true that trimester is cheaper than semester? If so, by how much? Thank you so much for all your info!!

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11 hours ago, ninja1968 said:

Yeah this sounds perfect for me. I would probably just work once a week on either Saturday or Sunday. That’s awesome you are off on Tuesdays and Fridays as well as weekends. Do you work right now? Also do you commute? Or do you live in Long Beach? Also is it true that trimester is cheaper than semester? If so, by how much? Thank you so much for all your info!!

Hey, I am a fourth semester in the trimester program. You most likely will never have a clinical on the weekend but care planning is more time consuming than the actual clinical. As said above, if you have clinical on Monday you will care plan on Sunday. Care planning will generally take more time than the actual clinical day itself, especially in 3rd semester (ICU).

I have not heard of a price difference between trimester and semester besides the fact that you begin working sooner in the trimester program.

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6 minutes ago, Dock239 said:

Hey, I am a fourth semester in the trimester program. You most likely will never have a clinical on the weekend but care planning is more time consuming than the actual clinical. As said above, if you have clinical on Monday you will care plan on Sunday. Care planning will generally take more time than the actual clinical day itself, especially in 3rd semester (ICU).

I have not heard of a price difference between trimester and semester besides the fact that you begin working sooner in the trimester program.

Hi there! I appreciate all the information. That’s nice you guys have weekends off to study. I’m thinking the first semester I’ll keep my job on the weekends and then after that I can see how I feel and decide if I want to quit or not. So if clinicals are typically 7am-4pm, is pre-planning the day before a similar schedule? Or can you come any hours you want the day before to pre-plan?

Not sure why I heard trimester is cheaper. It makes sense that it would be the same price tho because regardless it is 5 semesters. How much total will the cost of the program be? Do you know yet?

thank you so much!

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19 minutes ago, Dock239 said:

Hey, I am a fourth semester in the trimester program. You most likely will never have a clinical on the weekend but care planning is more time consuming than the actual clinical. As said above, if you have clinical on Monday you will care plan on Sunday. Care planning will generally take more time than the actual clinical day itself, especially in 3rd semester (ICU).

I have not heard of a price difference between trimester and semester besides the fact that you begin working sooner in the trimester program.

@Dock239Oh yeah... also, was semester more in demand in your cohort as well? Meaning, everybody who wanted trimester got assigned to the trimester program?
I just really want to be sure I will get in the trimester program so I can just go to LBMMC instead of getting stuck with semester and possibly having to go to hospitals 50 miles away LOL. ???

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2 hours ago, ninja1968 said:

Hi there! I appreciate all the information. That’s nice you guys have weekends off to study. I’m thinking the first semester I’ll keep my job on the weekends and then after that I can see how I feel and decide if I want to quit or not. So if clinicals are typically 7am-4pm, is pre-planning the day before a similar schedule? Or can you come any hours you want the day before to pre-plan?

Not sure why I heard trimester is cheaper. It makes sense that it would be the same price tho because regardless it is 5 semesters. How much total will the cost of the program be? Do you know yet?

thank you so much!

Pre-planning can be completed on your own schedule, but generally people show up in the morning to select the best patients and to allow time to CP (care plan). CPs, in my opinion, is the hardest part of CSULB nursing school.

I am unsure of the total cost but I paid $3500 and change for this semester. There are some expensive costs in the beginning including ATI, supplies and uniforms.

It may be different now but ATI cost about $400+ when I came through.

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2 hours ago, ninja1968 said:

@Dock239Oh yeah... also, was semester more in demand in your cohort as well? Meaning, everybody who wanted trimester got assigned to the trimester program?
I just really want to be sure I will get in the trimester program so I can just go to LBMMC instead of getting stuck with semester and possibly having to go to hospitals 50 miles away LOL. ???

Yes, semester was the more popular choice in my cohort. I chose trimester and got it. I would assume your cohort will follow past cohort trends.

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20 hours ago, Dock239 said:

Yes, semester was the more popular choice in my cohort. I chose trimester and got it. I would assume your cohort will follow past cohort trends.

Thank you for answering all my questions! I have another one LOL. How long are your Christmas breaks? 1 or 2 weeks?

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