to all csulb nursing student!!!

Seyma · May 14, 2009

Hi. I'm going to CSULB for their nursing program this fall. My GE GPA was 3.5 and my Science GPA was a 4.0. I scored a 89% of the TEAS exam and those scores were good enough to get in to the program. As far as living in Long Beach. I just moved downtown and plan on taking the bus to school since I've heard that finding a parking spot is nearly impossible. The bus system is pretty good and they stop right at the campus. I don't know what your financial situation is like but the dorms are pretty expensive. You're better off looking on craigslist for people that have a room that needs to be rented. As far as your GE GPA goes they only count your 4 course classes (critical thinking, oral communication, math, and another english type course) not your overall GPA...just in case you weren't aware. The TEAS test is something you really can't study for. There's 30 questions on science which covers chemistry, microbiology physiology, anatomy, even life sciences like geology. Yah I was quite surprised on that one myself. There's 40 questions on reading, 55 on English, and 45 on Math. Studying for the TEAS test is all up to you but I felt it was one of those things that you either knew it or your didn't and studying wasn't going to help. With 30 questions that cover 5 areas of science. It's a lot to study. I remember there were only 2 questions on microbiology and 3 on physiology. There were alot of chemistry and geology questions...which I know don't pertain to nursing but the TEAS test is a very generalized test used for enterance of many different programs. If you have any other questions feel free to ask.

2bNurse22* · May 23, 2009

Super lucky , I here CSULB has a awesome program. CONGRATS :)

maggie24 · May 30, 2009

Check out off-campus housing on their website-they now have a new alternative to dorms that is less than 5 minutes away and you can take the off-campus shuttle to school. Also, there are many apartments available around campus where many students live, such as in the park estates area, which is a really quiet, safe area of long beach and also has access to the free shuttle service-Check out craigs list. this is a much better option than driving-it is crazy to try and find parking here (except for night classes) Also, if you show your campus ID on the LB city bus, you can use them for free! Belmont Shore is also a nice area to live, but tends to be more expensive.

Also, you CAN study for the TEAS-they sell a study workbook on the website for $55-it is well worth it to help review the math section, which is just basic math, but it is timed with a lot of problems, and you cannot use a calculator, so you have to be really fast and accurate with those skills. Very easy math, but it definitely helps to practice before the test so you know what to expect. Also has good review for life science-I hadn't taken this since h.s.!

Good luck! This is a very competitive program, so don't apply until you complete all reqs. Be aware you can only apply here 2 times max, so I would wait because the one in progress will be counted as a "C" when you apply, which may lower your chances. LB state has a really good program!

Seyma · May 30, 2009

This is to Maggie24. Just curious if you were in the nursing program at cal state long beach or not. I've been trying to find someone to give advise since my first semester will start in Fall2009. I have no idea what to expect. Everyone's telling me that working is not an option when in the nursing program and I will be working about 15 hours a week when I start in the fall. I'm used to putting my self under house arrest and studying an entire semester without having a social life so I don't know if the people that are saying that have other commitments in their life that make it difficult to work and be in the program at the same time.

THANKS

maggie24 · May 30, 2009

No, I am not. I am finishing my bachelor's degree here and will start nursing school elsewhere the semester after graduation. Unfortunately, LB state did not work out for me, in terms of nursing school, but I know a lot about the admissions process for this school because I went through it all, and know many people who also went through it, and are in the same situation I am in. Some are finishing their degree like me in another major and will continue onto entry-level MSN. (still a possibility for me as well:)

I am not sure about working during the program-you should attend the information sessions they hold for applicants to find out those type of details; I have been told no working at all, but it may depend on each person and how they manage their time. Check out their website-they post things often, and call the nursing office and meet with a pre-nursing counselor. They are very helpful and can give you info on the schedule you will have during nursing school, such as what classes you will take each semester, and when you will fit general ed. in, etc.

But I am confused--are you accepted into the program for fall '09 or are you applying for spring '10?

If you are still applying, you should def. finish as many general ed as you can (AFTER completing reqs for admission into program) right now, as well as capstone classes, before you start nursing school so you can focus only on your nursing classes.

I hope this helps!

Oops, the above was meant for lousia263 (i thought she asked this reply).

To seyma.anajafi: Congrats on being accepted! Maybe you could find someone who is in the program by starting a new post? sorry I can't be of more help, but I can offer advise about good capstones to take, or anything else about LB state!

Seyma · May 30, 2009

Yes capstones would be good. I just noticed that there were "Special" General Education Requirements at Cal State Long Beach by the end of this last semester and was slight confused on what to take not to mentioned bummed because I thought I had gotten everything done. I'm taking Environmental Science this summer which is a Capstone/Interdisciplinary that also falls under Global Issues and I've taken Human Sexuality which is a Capstone/Interdisciplinary and falls under Human Diversity as well.

This is from CSULB's website

"No more than 3 units each from "Advanced Skills" and "Service Learning" categories may be applied toward the Capstone requirement."

Do I have to take a course in Advanced Skills and one in Service Learning or does it just mean that if I do, 3 units is the limit. SO CONFUSED!!!!! Help Maggie24

louisa263 · Jun 2, 2009

hi, thanks for your great advice. one more question: csulb requires one inorganic(chem 2A: 4 units) and one organic chemistry(chem 2B: 4 units), but instead of chem 2A, i've taken chem 1A which is 5 units and higher than chem 2A. do you think is it ok for csulb, or do i need to take chem 2A?(cauz' it's no credit for chem 2A after i took 1A.) thanks for your time...

maggie24 · Jun 3, 2009

You need to take CHEM 140- 5units-it is a combined gen. and organic chem class

Not sure about the chem you already took, but the chem 1A that I had from a long time ago was only general chem, and so I opted to take Chem 140. This is much easier (if chemistry can be called easy) than the other chem classes b/c it is a combined 1-sem class and gives only a short overview of organic chem.

For the nursing program at CSULB, you need gen. and organic, and this is the class they recommend for pre-nursing students.

But just to be sure, I would call the office and ask, or check on assist.org to see what you chem class transfers as.

good luck!

p.s. take ****** for chem 140, she is really nice and helpful and does everything she can to help students do well in chemistry

maggie24 · Jun 3, 2009

To Seyma.Anajafi:

Yeah, I know it sucks! All CSU's have upper division gen. ed. requirements, and all of them have to be taken at the school.

You don’t need a course in Advanced Skills or Service Learning, but you can choose to take one from these if you want; most capstones are “I” classes anyway

You already have a class for Hum. Diversity and Global Issues, so you just need 1 more class of your choice. The 2 below are good options.

You need to take 9 units total for capstones, one from each area:

• Global (min. 3 units; unless you are "GE certified")

• Human Diversity (min. 3 units): NRSG 481I Parenting or GERN 400I Gerontology

(another class I heard about is a Child Development and Family Studies "I" class that is offered online-I forgot what it is called . . .this may be a better option for you while in nursing school)

BUT, you may want to double check on this. (I am not an expert) :)

The best way to understand what you need to take is to buy a schedule of classes from bookstore because they have a section that lists classes you can choose from for capstones—it is easier than looking online because the classes are listed by department and it tells you what area each capstone class satisfies.

You can also go to your MYCSULB account and go to "student center" and click on "degree progress"

This will show you all the classes you have taken at csulb and your transfer classes; it also shows you each section of capstones you still need and the capstones you have already taken.

Good luck!

Seyma · Jun 3, 2009

Thank you very much. You've been a big help maggie24

VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN · Jun 3, 2009

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