CSUSB Fall 2012 Hopefuls

[DarkBluePhoenix]

Hey everyone!

Well we made it mighty far and now we are done with pre reqs and on to applying!

I am applying to the 2012 cohort and would like to invite everyone else that is applying to post here for any questions, concerns or comments!

Well I am about to put in my application. So far I have all pre reqs done, pending algebra this winter intersession. My Teas test is done, my letters of rec are on their way and basically all I am waiting for is final transcripts!

Good luck to everyone who applied

Let the wait begin!

[DarkBluePhoenix]

BTW if anyone wants to verify the program received everything, you should email. I emailed them to verify everything is in, what GPA they have, if they have the supplemental doc, the change of address etc...

They emailed me back within a few hours. Very nice of them!

So just saying, if anyone is worried that they forgot to turn in or update transcripts, they will let you know if you ask.

Cross our fingers that we all get in!

[Alvat300]

Hi everyone...stressed about July! Glad to read on here and see i'm not alone!

[hailingrain]

Nursing school is pretty tough; however, it's mostly the amount of work/reading you have to do in such little time that really makes it tough and the material itself is not that bad. They did not post the list any earlier than the date I said, but the list was posted earlier than when you received your letter in the mail. I can thankfully say that it gets easier as you go long because you're used to the curriculum and adjusting is probably the hardest thing. The professors aren't too bad, but I must say that you have to take initiative for your learning and there are a lot of things that will not be covered in class that you should know because of the amount of time given. So it would behoove one to read ahead and get familiar with NCLEX style questions and to do things ahead. You also basically read the entire book at CSUSB, like every chapter lol. The clinical sites are nice. Fundamentals is usually Ballard or the VA, and then your other main ones are ARMC or Redlands Community Hospital. It's a bit nerve racking at first but once you get over that hump things start to get easier and more natural. Clinical really is what you put into it. Some students have better experiences than others, but the main part is how much initiative you take into your learning. I remember in one of my rotations in the ER where I was literally thrown in an admitting case and I was participating in the action with almost 10 people in the room. You really grow on so many levels during clinical and the easiest way to face it is to embrace it and disregard fear of judgment or doubt in yourself. As for my Stats, I had a 4.0 overall including pre-reqs and upper 80% for my TEAS. I remember one of my classmates saying that her gpa was 3.6 and she was an alternate. However, all this depends on the pool of applicants so it tends to vary but I'd like to say that if you;re above 3.8 in your pre-reqs, you stand a good chance. Pre-req gpa and TEAS are the main things so I wouldn't be concerned about overall as long as you meet the minimum. Hope this helps! If you have any other questions feel free to ask!

[DarkBluePhoenix]

@alvat: Yes you are not the only one stressed out here! Welcome to the forum!

@hailngrain: Thank you so much for your insight! Very helpful. If I knew I was in I would start buying books now and brushing up on it. Lol. I could only dream. I can say that it sounds like the class portion will be the hardest to me. I know a lot of programs, you need to maintain a C to stay in which isn't too hard but you have to literally (sounds like) change your way of thinking. That sounds like the hardest part. Clinical, I think will be a strong suit to me because I work in a hospital and already have a really good bedside manner with patients. Nurses are always showing me procedures so I am used to seeing how they are done. Sounds fun!

Well, no way to worry about it until we hear something!

About your friend with a 3.6 GPA, I wonder how she was an alternate unless her TEAS was low. I have a big suspicion that they put A LOT more emphasis on the SB/Riverside County thing. Because the range that they gave us for the last two cohorts, people go in with as low as 3.3. and high 70s on the TEAS (I wrote it down but can't find it; the stats are around there). I think they take the highest stats from people living in the those counties and start with them then go from there. Cause I read a few past threads where someone with a GPA like mine not getting in but they lived near LB. So I don't know what to think.

***To everyone else: I would check the GPA that CSUSB will use for you. I found out that they calculated mine to be 3.79 instead of the 3.83, I think it dropped because of the whole quarter units / plus/minus thing. I hope that 0.04 doesn't kill me! Lol

[tjlove]

Does anyone know if we are allowed to repeat courses at a different institution if we receive a C or higher.

[DarkBluePhoenix]

Does anyone know if we are allowed to repeat courses at a different institution if we receive a C or higher.

Yes. As long as it is a different class entirely, they will take the higher grade. I knew they would take my higher grade by asking them the GPA they calculated for my application. I replaced my C with an A and my pre req GPA would be a lot lower if they didn't allow that.

I would check with the program to get a definite answer.

Oh and welcome to the forum!

[firesurf523]

Does anyone know if they post the alternate list when they post the admitted list? Im wondering how long they give people to accept before they move on to alternates?

[DarkBluePhoenix]

Does anyone know if they post the alternate list when they post the admitted list? Im wondering how long they give people to accept before they move on to alternates?

I think they just post an admitted list of students and alternates are notified via mail. I am not sure, but you can always call the nursing dept.

I do not know how long, but my guess, with how late we are being notified, that the accepted might have a week to respond? I got accepted to RCC today and they gave us a week to respond. But they start earlier than CSUSB does. Those are just guesstimates but the people in the nursing dept are really nice and helpful.

Here is the website

Department of Nursing

If you email, the bottom email works the best.

If you find out please post up!

[Alvat300]

K i have a question.. Can anyone tell me how this whole clinical experience works? Does it occur during our lab period? or is it an entirely separate thing? and also, can we go to any hospital we want, or is it assigned? I feel so clueless..and also, Darkblue, congrats on getting accepted to RCC!

[DarkBluePhoenix]

K i have a question.. Can anyone tell me how this whole clinical experience works? Does it occur during our lab period? or is it an entirely separate thing? and also, can we go to any hospital we want, or is it assigned? I feel so clueless..and also, Darkblue, congrats on getting accepted to RCC!

First off, thank you. I am glad to have gotten in somewhere at this point. I think I might just do all the stuff for RCC until I hear from CSUSB. RCC has orientation in the next few weeks but stuff doesn't need to be done until August. Hopefully CSUSB gives me good news so I can give my seat away to an alternate.

As for the clinical experience, hailngrain would be the best person to ask. But from my understanding, its lab and actual outside clinicals. Every school works differently. You start off doing stuff in a lab to get more comfortable in the setting. Then you move on to hospital clinicals. I am not sure if CSUSB lets you choose or you get placed there because they put you there. Some places go by where you live, some, by whoever registered on that date first, etc... I do not know how CSUSB works.

I can only get my ideas off from what I heard at other schools and how my CNA clinicals were like. Clinicals are pretty good, and can be daunting. But you have to stand out, volunteer to do and see things and that really shows the professors that you want to be involved and want to learn. As hailngrain said, its what you make of it.

BTW would you mind displaying your stats? If not, its cool. I think all, if not most of us stand pretty evenly, good evenly. Hopefully we all get in!

[Alvat300]

Thank you for your response! Hopefully I get to do my clinicals at ARMC that is right down the street from my house. Yes, I have heard it is daunting! That scares me because I am not one to step up and take action or voice my opinions. I consider it a good challenge though!

My stats... I am not too proud of my stats. I have a 3.6 gpa in my prereqs and an 83 on the Teas. I guess it just comes down to whoever I am up against this quarter. If not, I plan on retaking the Teas to improve my chances for next quarter. Hopefully we all get in and I get to meet you all in orientation!

[DarkBluePhoenix]

Thank you for your response! Hopefully I get to do my clinicals at ARMC that is right down the street from my house. Yes, I have heard it is daunting! That scares me because I am not one to step up and take action or voice my opinions. I consider it a good challenge though!

My stats... I am not too proud of my stats. I have a 3.6 gpa in my prereqs and an 83 on the Teas. I guess it just comes down to whoever I am up against this quarter. If not, I plan on retaking the Teas to improve my chances for next quarter. Hopefully we all get in and I get to meet you all in orientation!

Your very welcome!

How far is ARMC from the campus? I will do my clinicals where ever! Closer the better but you always want to go to as many places as possible to learn new things! And as much as it is daunting, its not hard. If we both get in, I will help you! I work as a CNA in a hospital now and at first its a little hard but you adjust quickly. Just think of it as coming out of your shell and trying to be involved as much as possible! Plus, you wont be the only one! I am sure there are many others that are like yourself, so you guys can grow together!

Your stats are good! I wouldn't worry, your about on par or above the average they gave us at SOAR. Did you attend SOAR? I went to the one in May. It was very nice. I wish I wouldn't have miss placed the stats and ranges of the last few cohorts. They would calm your fears [mostly]! And that sounds like a great plan. I am thinking of doing the same. If I do not get in, I will retake the TEAS and hopefully get in the much easier winter quarter. Hopefully we wont have to worry about that right now.

Just cross our fingers that we hear good news in the next 3 weeks!