CSUN Accelerated B.S.N. Fall 2009 Applicants

levoila · Mar 27, 2009

I received my letter today too. I was accepted into the Summer 09 cohort 4 (so I guess that means that if I go to CSUN, I'd be part of the 4th class). My orientation will be on May 21.

Where else did you apply?

This is the year09 · Mar 27, 2009

Hi,

Applied to CSUF, and UCLA ( got rejected at UCLA) I live in Orange County so it would be more convenient for me to go to Fullerton vs. moving to Northridge area. I also got into a local community college for an ADN program, but will only go there for a backup :) Pretty sure I'll accept the offer at Northridge. Did you choose Summer cohort, or they just assigned that to you? btw... I am also a Bruin alum!

levoila · Mar 27, 2009

Yay, a fellow Bruin!! UCLA rejected me too, but I have the same issue with that program as I have with CSUF's El-MSN--both are to become a "clinical nurse leader," but it I have the impression that you don't actually work as a clinical nurse leader until you get experience--which makes me wonder if going through the extra trouble is worth it?

I thought that CSUF was going to reject me also, but I just got an invitation yesterday for an interview in two weeks. I don't get it. I thought they were done interviewing. Were you part of the first group that got interviewed? Did they say when they anticipated making a decision?

So far, I have only been accepted to CSUN. I'll find out about CSULA by April 1. CSULA was my first choice since it has the NP specialization built-in, but during the interview I asked if graduates had a difficult time finding a job as NPs and she said that they usually work as RNs to get more experience. That made me think that just going for the A-BSN would make more sense. That way, when I begin a NP MSN program, I will already have some experience and could work as a NP after finishing the MSN program.

I feel that if I am trained to become an RN, then I should work as an RN. But, if I spend so much time and energy training to become a nurse practitioner, I would want to work as a nurse practitioner.

If I can't do that, then it makes more sense to get the A-BSN, get the experience, and then go for the NP MSN when I'm ready. It made me regret not applying to more entry-level NP programs that maybe included more hours of clinical experience.

So now I'm debating if I have the choice, which would be best. Either way seems to have pros/cons

I would have to move if I were to go to CSUN, CSULB, or CSUF. I wouldn't if I were to go to CSULA or MSMC (but since I was accepted to CSUN, I don't think I would pick MSMC over CSUN).

This is going to be a hard choice to make!

This is the year09 · Mar 27, 2009

Haha. I've been in the same predicament with the accelerated programs. My step mom is a Neonatal Nurse Practioner who went the "old school" route by starting with her RN, then BSN, then got her MSN and nurse practioner license. She had been encouraging me to go that route as well. The more I thought about it, the more I started feeling like I didnt want my BA to go to waste, and wanted to use it as stepping stone for a higher degree.. so I'm glad that at least I can put it toward CSUN's program. And I totally feel the same way about getting experience before pursuing any type of Advanced Practice nursing degree. It makes sense to know which area you want to practice in based on hands on clinical experience, which is another reason why I'm leaning toward completing the A-BSN, then advancing onto an MSN /NP program. It just makes sense.

I did interview at CSUF ( Fullerton) earlier this month, and am suprised that they are still offering interviews. They said that we would hear back on admissions decisions early in April, which is officially next week! Maybe they opened up more spots? ( They only have 36 spots available is what they told us in the meeting) Like I said, if got into their program, I would probably choose them over CSUN bc I live close, and would have the chance to earn my MSN in one stop, which is the ultimate direction I would like to go in anyway, and just work to gain experience anyway. Im looking at it like if I dont get into CSUF, then I was meant to go to CSUN and wait to get my MSN.. you know? Plus, we were so lucky to be chosen out of how many hundreds at CSUN, right?

SBalmost_there · Mar 27, 2009

Congrats This is the year09! I'm actually a fellow Gaucho (UCSB). I haven't received my letter yet, I'll probably get it tomorrow since I'm in SB. But I did get the call...that's all that matters. I am also part of the Fall 09 cohort. I actually only applied to CSUN and Loma Linda University. I won't hear from LLU until April, since their deadline is the 31st of March. It will be a tough choice between the two if I get in to LLU.

My goals are basically the same...get my BSN and work as an RN for a few years and go back to school to become a NP, which hopefully there will be some type of tuition reimbursement. As for now, plans are working accordingly. Keep me posted.:wink2:

CareerSwitch · Mar 27, 2009

Wow this thread is so helpful to me! Thanks all for your advice. I figured the economy would be sending more applicants towards nursing but I didn't know that the competition would be this stiff.

I totally feel the same way about doing ADN, b/c of the idea that my BA would just go to waste =( So hopefully I get in somewhere.

CareerSwitch · Mar 27, 2009

P.S Were any of you a Liberal Arts major??

levoila · Mar 27, 2009

I majored in Spanish (Literature/ Linguistics)

GettingReadySFV · Mar 27, 2009

congratulations to everyone accepted at csun!:hpygrp:

i also applied, but reading through these posts i feel that i should have waited another year. i have a 4.0 in all my pre-reqs, but haven't yet finished micro or statistics, and i have no experience in the field. i also have not completed the california government requirements (i'm originally from the midwest and got my degree on the east coast).

my sense is that most of you who were accepted were a little further along than i. if you were accepted, can you give a brief rundown of your application?

gpa
undergrad major
finished all pre-reqs or not
work/volunteer experience
any strengths that you felt really helped make your application stand out

this would be super helpful to those of us who really want to get in to one of these programs, but don't necessarily know who we are competing against:smiley_ab

thanks for your time, and good luck with the hard work ahead. i know you'll all make it, because you already passed a huge test just by getting in!

SBalmost_there · Mar 27, 2009

My GPA was 4.0 in my core sciences and 3.7 overall. My undergrad was Sociology and I definitely completed all my pre-reqs before applying. I got involved with as much as I could in the year it took me to complete my pre-reqs.

Good luck...stay focused...all the hard work will pay off!:wink2:

CareerSwitch · Mar 27, 2009

Does the Title V and other additional requirements count as pre-reqs? I hope not b/c I got B+'s in those classes.

This is the year09 · Mar 27, 2009

Im currently taking Chem this semester, my last pre-req. Overall GPA was 3.6, pre-req 4.0. I had some minimal volunteer experience at a local hospital, and currently work at a local university in the Social Work department. The best advice I can give is to ACE your basic science pre-reqs, and try to volunteer for a little bit. On your statement, just emphasize why you want to go into nursing, and emphasize why in particular, an Accelerated program would be a good fit for you. The Title V and other requirements do count as pre-reqs, but if you get mostly A's in all of them, you should be fine. Dont worry about a B+! That energy should be spent on getting A's in your sciences... :)