CSUN ABSN Fall 2020

Published

Hi everyone,

CSUN's application is now open for Fall 2020 ABSN admissions. I just wanted to create a thread for comments, questions, information, and more!

Best of luck to everyone ?

On 2/26/2020 at 6:02 PM, nursing4545 said:

who here went to CSUN for undergrad?

I did not, but I've lived in the area for most of my life.

Very much hoping to get in as it's my first choice. The waiting is killing me!

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi Everyone!!
I applied for fall 2020 as well ? I’m a 2017 CSUN alumni and have just been spending the past several years gaining experience. I’m hoping for the best! Btw, does anyone have a rough idea of when we’re expected to hear back?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi, I applied as well! Not a CSUN alum. Anyone hear back yet?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
17 hours ago, ca1995 said:

Hi, I applied as well! Not a CSUN alum. Anyone hear back yet?

Hi! No, haven’t heard anything back yet ? I was trying to look back in past threads and I think we’re expected to hear back in early/mid April. However, with the COVID-19 pandemic I’m not sure if that will impact the time we hear back.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi everyone! Since we all have bachelors degrees already, can anyone tell me why they’re choosing an ABSN over an entry level MSN? The routes to advanced practice nursing are insane and confusing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
7 hours ago, raethehug said:

Hi everyone! Since we all have bachelors degrees already, can anyone tell me why they’re choosing an ABSN over an entry level MSN? The routes to advanced practice nursing are insane and confusing.

Hello! So the reason I decided to apply for an ABSN was because it was cheaper and it is a shorter commitment. I felt as though and ELMSN was kind of a scam since you will not be able to practice as a nurse practitioner and will have to pursue another MSN, which is kind of ridiculous since it is so much more expensive. You'll end up as an RN regardless, so I thought an ABSN was a more logical decision.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
On 3/29/2020 at 8:53 PM, nursing4545 said:

Hello! So the reason I decided to apply for an ABSN was because it was cheaper and it is a shorter commitment. I felt as though and ELMSN was kind of a scam since you will not be able to practice as a nurse practitioner and will have to pursue another MSN, which is kind of ridiculous since it is so much more expensive. You'll end up as an RN regardless, so I thought an ABSN was a more logical decision.

I’ve applied to both ABSN and MECN/MEPN, because why not. I wanted to keep my options open. I know this sounds really generalized, but some nurses told me that major hospitals don’t like hiring new A-BSN grads — they tend to not retain as much and not very solid, just because the program is just too fast-paced. So they tend to prefer traditional BSNs or MECN/MEPNs. They have better job prospects than A-BSNs do. Sure, we’ll all end up as RNs, but I think it does make a difference when you’re trying to land on the first job fresh out of nursing school. And MECN/MEPNs do not get another MSN to become a NP. They need a DNP degree. Many MSN degrees are now trying to transition to DNP programs.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
1 hour ago, FutureOncoNurse said:

I’ve applied to both ABSN and MECN/MEPN, because why not. I wanted to keep my options open. I know this sounds really generalized, but some nurses told me that major hospitals don’t like hiring new A-BSN grads — they tend to not retain as much and not very solid, just because the program is just too fast-paced. So they tend to prefer traditional BSNs or MECN/MEPNs. They have better job prospects than A-BSNs do. Sure, we’ll all end up as RNs, but I think it does make a difference when you’re trying to land on the first job fresh out of nursing school. And MECN/MEPNs do not get another MSN to become a NP. They need a DNP degree. Many MSN degrees are now trying to transition to DNP programs.

Oh WOW!! I have never heard that about not wanting ABSN nurses! That’s pretty scary actually. I understand the fast paced program makes it difficult to retain everything though. Where else did you apply? I’m trying to weigh doing the entry level masters vs the absn and I’m having the hardest time. Seems there are a lot of seasoned nurses who HATE entry level MSN’s (even though I’m not gonna leave an entry level and think I’m an NP, I actually want to be bedside with the option to advance down the road).

Up Vote Up Vote ×
On 3/29/2020 at 1:21 PM, raethehug said:

Hi everyone! Since we all have bachelors degrees already, can anyone tell me why they’re choosing an ABSN over an entry level MSN? The routes to advanced practice nursing are insane and confusing.

I chose ABSN over MECN/MEPN because of the time factor. Both allow you to become an RN, but the MECN/MEPN programs that I looked into were a two-year commitment versus ABSN programs which ranged from 12-18 months. I'd rather finish school faster and work sooner to get 1-2 years of bedside experience before applying for NP school. I also want to work to get a better idea of what I really want to specialize in down the road.

By the way, most entry-level programs will not get you to NP status (that would take additional years of schooling even after an MECN/MEPN program). The only program that I know is an exception is UCSF's MEPN, but it's 3 years long and your NP choices are limited.

The advantage of an MECN/MEPN program over an ABSN is that it allows you to be an educator and better prepares you for career advancement (which makes sense since you're putting more time and effort into this program over an ABSN program). However, if the end goal is to eventually become a nurse practitioner, the priority, in my opinion, is to get working experience as soon as possible because you're going to have to go back to school regardless of the degree you got to become an RN.

If you're not trying to go for NP, a master's degree will (maybe) get you a higher wage and put you in a better position for specialization/advanced certification as an RN. That being said, I've heard that some hospitals don't want to pay more for a new grad with a master's degree who has just as much experience as a new grad with a bachelor's degree (basically zero). This thread is the first time I've heard that hospitals don't want ABSN graduates because of the fast-paced nature of the program. Point is, you're gonna hear rumors either way. So do what feels right for you and know that any path you take is fine as long as you work hard.

Regardless of the degree you hold, you WILL get a job IF you're willing to put in the time and effort. Regardless of the degree you hold, you won't gain respect as a nurse until you work for a bit and build up experience.

Again, this is what I believe based on my own personal, extensive research.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
3 hours ago, nurseala said:

I chose ABSN over MECN/MEPN because of the time factor. Both allow you to become an RN, but the MECN/MEPN programs that I looked into were a two-year commitment versus ABSN programs which ranged from 12-18 months. I'd rather finish school faster and work sooner to get 1-2 years of bedside experience before applying for NP school. I also want to work to get a better idea of what I really want to specialize in down the road.

By the way, most entry-level programs will not get you to NP status (that would take additional years of schooling even after an MECN/MEPN program). The only program that I know is an exception is UCSF's MEPN, but it's 3 years long and your NP choices are limited.

The advantage of an MECN/MEPN program over an ABSN is that it allows you to be an educator and better prepares you for career advancement (which makes sense since you're putting more time and effort into this program over an ABSN program). However, if the end goal is to eventually become a nurse practitioner, the priority, in my opinion, is to get working experience as soon as possible because you're going to have to go back to school regardless of the degree you got to become an RN.

If you're not trying to go for NP, a master's degree will (maybe) get you a higher wage and put you in a better position for specialization/advanced certification as an RN. That being said, I've heard that some hospitals don't want to pay more for a new grad with a master's degree who has just as much experience as a new grad with a bachelor's degree (basically zero). This thread is the first time I've heard that hospitals don't want ABSN graduates because of the fast-paced nature of the program. Point is, you're gonna hear rumors either way. So do what feels right for you and know that any path you take is fine as long as you work hard.

Regardless of the degree you hold, you WILL get a job IF you're willing to put in the time and effort. Regardless of the degree you hold, you won't gain respect as a nurse until you work for a bit and build up experience.

Again, this is what I believe based on my own personal, extensive research.

Thank you for your response. This is what I’ve found through researching too! And no, I have no interest in walking away from a program as an NP right now and I’m glad it’s not really much of an option, in my opinion. That would definitely be something far down the line. I really appreciate the input though. I definitely wish the route to nursing was more streamlined and uniform so that you knew 100% that you could get hired, without bias, upon graduating!

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

Has anyone heard anything or know when they will send out acceptances? Due to the current pandemic maybe there'll be a delay?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
13 hours ago, Yararami said:

Has anyone heard anything or know when they will send out acceptances? Due to the current pandemic maybe there'll be a delay?

Also wondering about this. Hopefully things won't be delayed. I believe June 1st was the projected start of classes.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion