CSUN ABSN Fall 2020

raethehug, BSN, RN · Jun 11, 2020

13 hours ago, RoadtoBSN_ said:
Congratulations everyone! For all those that got in, would you mind sharing your stats so I can gage where I stand and what my chances are? Thank you! ?

Sure, I can share! However, I remember reading on an older forum that their cohort was very mixed in terms of grades/experience so I don't think my personal stats should discourage/encourage you to apply. If you like CSUN, go for it! I finished my Bachelors in Psych 10 years ago with a GPA of 3.94. My prereqs were all done at a local community college in which I finished with a 4.0. I have 300 hours as a Health Scholar (clinical internship) and 500+ hours as an Executive Leader (leadership aspect of the program) for the health scholar program. I also did an internship with inner city youth. I TA'd for my A/P professor and for my Statistics professor. My letters of rec were very strong. I am an older applicant due to taking time off between my bachelors and prereqs because I have three young children. As you can see, I am a strong applicant but I also have drawbacks (being a mother to multiple children and being away from the school setting at a university level for some time). I also got into an entry level masters but decided to attend CSUN instead. I'm sure our cohort will be very mixed in terms of grades/degrees/work experience/age.

Absnprogram · Jun 11, 2020

@raethehug why did you pick BSN over MSN?

Did Csun give anyone decent financial aid?

Did anyone received decent financial aid for Csun? Is it based purely on income?

phscale, EMT-B · Jun 13, 2020

On 6/10/2020 at 9:56 PM, RoadtoBSN_ said:
Congratulations everyone! For all those that got in, would you mind sharing your stats so I can gage where I stand and what my chances are? Thank you! ?

I'll throw my stats into the ring to inspire hope for those "academically challenged" like myself.

Academics:

Graduated 2014 from a UC with a BS in Bio and a Minor in Medical Anthro GPA 3.0. Took 36 units at various CCs with all A's while I worked (online classes for the win!)

Healthcare Experience:

Plenty of healthcare experience. Worked as an EMT full time for a year to gain good experience. The EMT lifestyle and pay was awful so I looked into other entry level professions. Currently working as a Full Time GI Endoscopy Technician at an academic teaching hospital for about 4 years. Working here helped expose me to CRNAs, ICU nurses, NPs, procedural nurses etc...

Extracurricular:

Shadowed PAs and NPs in Ortho, Geriatrics, and Hepatobiliary.

Presented a case study at SGNA 2019 (Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates).

Volunteerism centered around caring for underserved older adults. Helped at a few senior community events. Was really involved at my university's Red Cross club during undergrad.

Was a hospice volunteer for a few months, till my patient passed. Was a super eye opening and heart warming experience. Formed the foundation for my personal statement.

overall:

I definitely had my work cut out for me after undergrad. I believe my extracurriculars and work experiences made me stand out.

lalurker · Jun 16, 2020

Did anyone receive the clinical checklist? I think it was supposed to be sent today.

lalurker · Jun 16, 2020

I just found out I was accepted off the waitlist. I am over the moon and so grateful for the opportunity! Can't wait to get started with you all.

raethehug, BSN, RN · Jun 16, 2020

On 6/11/2020 at 1:01 PM, Absnprogram said:
@raethehug why did you pick BSN over MSN?
Did Csun give anyone decent financial aid?
Did anyone received decent financial aid for Csun? Is it based purely on income?

I picked the ABSN over the MSN for quite a few reasons. I can outline them here. I agonized over this decision for months but finally feel content in my choice.

School Specific:

1.The MSN I got into messed up and initially rejected me based on a computer error. When they rejected me, they were incredibly rude about it and I was totally crushed. Then I was randomly allowed to interview.

2.The Dean of the school during the interview had a very abrasive way of speaking to us and it rubbed me the wrong way. There was no acknowledgement for the mistake that was made and how devastated the small group of us were for weeks over it. I was accepted after my interview.

3.Before accepting me, they strung us all along for months based on when we would hear. Admissions would grant some people info about if they would get accepted but not others. It lead to a lot of confused and hurt feelings from everyone applying.

4.The MSN was going to be 2+ hours of commuting a day which greatly eats into my study time and my time with my kids.

5. CSUNs clinical placements were also much better than the MSNs.

Generalized reasons for an ABSN over an MSN:

1. It's cheaper. It's half the price of an MSN and I dont want to graduate with tons of debt during a potential hiring freeze due to covid layoffs.

2. It's faster. I am making up for lost wages by becoming an RN 9 months earlier.

3. I know I want to be an NP but there are many many programs designed for part time students/part time RNs. They're a mixture of MSN/NP and theyre the normal way a nurse progresses so there's no bias when it's time to find employment.

4. I have interviewed many MSN graduates and they are NOT paid more than BSN graduates when hired.

5. I spoke with area hospitals and the consensus about whether they hire entry MSNs at the same rate as BSNs were all over place. Some people said there's no bias, other human resources said they tend to still award BSNs first dibs due to being more trusted with their teaching and clinical process.

6. Finally, and here was the biggest turning point for me, people in MSNs tend to think they can just do a one year NP certification after getting the masters. This unfortunately isn't true. Entry MSNs do not have you take the 3P's as they call them. Which are advanced patho, adv physical assessment, adv pharm. If your masters doesn't have you take these 3 courses, you are forced to do another full MSN/NP program. Basically, it turns out to be a massive waste if your goal is NP. If your goal is management or teaching, a generalized masters could be worth it.

There's my super long answer but I hope it helps others in my position as it was hard for me to decide (until my last point).

phscale, EMT-B · Jun 16, 2020

26 minutes ago, raethehug said:
I picked the ABSN over the MSN for quite a few reasons. I can outline them here. I agonized over this decision for months but finally feel content in my choice.
School Specific:
1.The MSN I got into messed up and initially rejected me based on a computer error. When they rejected me, they were incredibly rude about it and I was totally crushed. Then I was randomly allowed to interview.
2.The Dean of the school during the interview had a very abrasive way of speaking to us and it rubbed me the wrong way. There was no acknowledgement for the mistake that was made and how devastated the small group of us were for weeks over it. I was accepted after my interview.
3.Before accepting me, they strung us all along for months based on when we would hear. Admissions would grant some people info about if they would get accepted but not others. It lead to a lot of confused and hurt feelings from everyone applying.
4.The MSN was going to be 2+ hours of commuting a day which greatly eats into my study time and my time with my kids.
5. CSUNs clinical placements were also much better than the MSNs.
Generalized reasons for an ABSN over an MSN:
1. It's cheaper. It's half the price of an MSN and I dont want to graduate with tons of debt during a potential hiring freeze due to covid layoffs.
2. It's faster. I am making up for lost wages by becoming an RN 9 months earlier.
3. I know I want to be an NP but there are many many programs designed for part time students/part time RNs. They're a mixture of MSN/NP and theyre the normal way a nurse progresses so there's no bias when it's time to find employment.
4. I have interviewed many MSN graduates and they are NOT paid more than BSN graduates when hired.
5. I spoke with area hospitals and the consensus about whether they hire entry MSNs at the same rate as BSNs were all over place. Some people said there's no bias, other human resources said they tend to still award BSNs first dibs due to being more trusted with their teaching and clinical process.
6. Finally, and here was the biggest turning point for me, people in MSNs tend to think they can just do a one year NP certification after getting the masters. This unfortunately isn't true. Entry MSNs do not have you take the 3P's as they call them. Which are advanced patho, adv physical assessment, adv pharm. If your masters doesn't have you take these 3 courses, you are forced to do another full MSN/NP program. Basically, it turns out to be a massive waste if your goal is NP. If your goal is management or teaching, a generalized masters could be worth it.
There's my super long answer but I hope it helps others in my position as it was hard for me to decide (until my last point).

Now THATS an answer ?????? Well said!

nursing4545 · Nov 12, 2020

For anyone currently attending the program, do you mind sharing your experience thus far? I am applying for nursing schools and considering CSUN once again. I would like to know as much as I can about this program from the students in it. Hope everyone is staying safe and healthy!

phscale, EMT-B · Nov 12, 2020

13 minutes ago, nursing4545 said:

For anyone currently attending the program, do you mind sharing your experience thus far? I am applying for nursing schools and considering CSUN once again. I would like to know as much as I can about this program from the students in it. Hope everyone is staying safe and healthy!

So far so good! Everyone is the cohort is friendly, smart and motivated. We get a decent amount of on-campus time approximately 2 times a week. Clinicals are hit or miss because the hospitals in the area are wary of having nursing students go to the floor during COVID. So some of us have been working in an ambulatory setting/primary care. Professors are pretty awesome and they are open to having conversations and getting to know you. Plenty of resources here if you want them. I feel like you need to be pretty disciplined in your study habits in order to do well. Get used to watching lectures via zoom and make sure to grab any opportunity to learn.