CSUSM- California States San Marcos for ABSN

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Hello,

Has anybody taken or has enrolled to CSUSM for ABSN program?

I wanted to get more information about the course work and how competitive it is the program. This is one of 2 Colleges/University that I can apply for either ABSN or BSN. In order for me not to retake any of my Science class, if not ill just apply for ASN.

Any information you can provide me would greatly appreciated so that I can better pre myself. The only thing I dislike about the program is the CSU Core-perquisite GE that I have to do in person as a required residency which are PHIL 345-Bioethics, BIOL 323-Nutrition and ANTH 301- Cultural anthropology. thanks hope to hear from someone soon.

Hi I’m currently one year into the CSUSM ABSN program. The program is doable but definitely not easy. Some people in my cohort still work (full time and part time). Most don’t work though because there are always something nursing related to do. Try to take the first 3 classes elsewhere so you can save yourself the first semesters tuition. If you have any other specific questions, feel free to ask. I’ll answer as best as I can.

@aweseome_sauce..

Thank you for answering my questions..is odd I've called and emailed the admission office and spoke to one of the nursing advisor told me the first 2 class has to be taken within the program I really want to do it on another campus so for I have nutrition will be transferred over just not the boi ethics and anth ..

They specifically said is part of the nursing program just tht of course it starts on the first part of the program..

As for clinical, where do you have the clinicals location at?

When you got in if you don't mind me asking what was your teas results?

How soon did you get approved?

I apologized for all the questions, just want to prep myself when I apply..

There are only 2 ABSN Program in SAN DIEGO I can only apply since I don't want to redo my anotomy and physiology for ADN.

Thanks for helping me out.

On ‎10‎/‎27‎/‎2019 at 12:53 PM, awesome_sauce said:

Hi I’m currently one year into the CSUSM ABSN program. The program is doable but definitely not easy. Some people in my cohort still work (full time and part time). Most don’t work though because there are always something nursing related to do. Try to take the first 3 classes elsewhere so you can save yourself the first semesters tuition. If you have any other specific questions, feel free to ask. I’ll answer as best as I can.

Hello I also meant to ask how many class do you take within a semester can you clarify how many class you are taking at this time? Thank you.

On 10/26/2019 at 10:50 PM, maddyg7 said:

@aweseome_sauce..

Thank you for answering my questions..is odd I've called and emailed the admission office and spoke to one of the nursing advisor told me the first 2 class has to be taken within the program I really want to do it on another campus so for I have nutrition will be transferred over just not the boi ethics and anth ..

They specifically said is part of the nursing program just tht of course it starts on the first part of the program..

As for clinical, where do you have the clinicals location at?

When you got in if you don't mind me asking what was your teas results?

How soon did you get approved?

I apologized for all the questions, just want to prep myself when I apply..

There are only 2 ABSN Program in SAN DIEGO I can only apply since I don't want to redo my anotomy and physiology for ADN.

Thanks for helping me out.

Oh, then maybe they changed the rules about being able to take them elsewhere. I was under the impression that there were classes that could be taken at community college to meet those requirements. I guess I’m mistaken. I took mine at CSUSM.

Clinicals are wherever they get placements. Can be up to riverside or down to San Diego. There’s no way of knowing where you’ll get places.

My teas score was a 90.

My case was a bit odd but I got in last minute like a week before the semester started.

As far as classes it’s 3 first semester if you haven’t done the upper division GE course then the subsequent semesters it’s about 5 classes with varying units each semester.

So for each semester you take 3 class wow..that's rough.. it is competitive.. how is the class spread out, if it is?

I've done all my upper GE exsept the 2 that they requiring me to do on campus. GOING to ask the admission if I was to take in with the school if i can do it before I start the program that would help just get to nursing program not worry about those 2 core classes.

Thanks again for the info.

15 minutes ago, maddyg7 said:

So for each semester you take 3 class wow..that's rough.. it is competitive.. how is the class spread out, if it is?

I've done all my upper GE exsept the 2 that they requiring me to do on campus. GOING to ask the admission if I was to take in with the school if i can do it before I start the program that would help just get to nursing program not worry about those 2 core classes.

Thanks again for the info.

Each semester you take 5 classes, usually it’s 2 clinical and 3 lectures.
mine clinical a day for the days they assign and then 3 lecture classes in one day usually Friday from 8-5. Longer during summer semesters.

I'm in my second semester. You do have to take the Anthro and Ethics courses at CSUSM, but they are considering changing this so it may or may not be the same for future cohorts. The ABSN site has the general course progression, try to dig around in there and you should find it. Second semester is the first "real" semester of nursing school and it's Fundamentals of Nursing, Health Education and Assessment, and Nursing Research. Or something to that effect. Basically we have 3 lecture courses and two of them have a clinical component. In this case, we go to clinical for Fundamentals and just have on campus "clinical/lab" for the Assessment course. Other semesters will be different. For example, next semester we have Pharm/Patho, Med-Surg I, and Mental Health. 3 lecture courses, 2 clinical (Mental Health, Med-Surg). The 2 clinical will actually be at clinical locations. Usually clinical start out on campus so that you can learn skills and such and then at some point in the semester transition to clinical locations. Hope that helps!

Oh and as far as competitiveness, it's really all just points. As long as your points add up to something close to 30 or higher you should be good.

49 minutes ago, polyacik said:

I'm in my second semester. You do have to take the Anthro and Ethics courses at CSUSM, but they are considering changing this so it may or may not be the same for future cohorts. The ABSN site has the general course progression, try to dig around in there and you should find it. Second semester is the first "real" semester of nursing school and it's Fundamentals of Nursing, Health Education and Assessment, and Nursing Research. Or something to that effect. Basically we have 3 lecture courses and two of them have a clinical component. In this case, we go to clinical for Fundamentals and just have on campus "clinical/lab" for the Assessment course. Other semesters will be different. For example, next semester we have Pharm/Patho, Med-Surg I, and Mental Health. 3 lecture courses, 2 clinical (Mental Health, Med-Surg). The 2 clinical will actually be at clinical locations. Usually clinical start out on campus so that you can learn skills and such and then at some point in the semester transition to clinical locations. Hope that helps!

Oh and as far as competitiveness, it's really all just points. As long as your points add up to something close to 30 or higher you should be good.

@polyacik-

okay that's good to know I would think the campus for the ABSN program would have the clinical setting towards the end of the year, looks like is not the case.

do you feel your able to study enough for all 3 classes your are taking along with the clinical's?

also how long are the course for 3 classes you taking now, is it 8 weeks or 16 weeks until you get to the second semester?

I hope that they do change it and not have the first semester on GE, I just want to get to the nursing program itself. I'm going to apply for the Fall 2020 so lets see how much it will change. It will give me time to get my CHEM 105/L and TEAS to study by then. If I get through the TEAS with about 75% I should be above 30 points. I hope..

Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. Thanks again and good luck.

Yeah, you'll be okay. A lot of people are still working and managing just fine. I'm not working but do have 2 toddlers and live 1.5 hours away from campus and for me that's just about the limit lol. I really have to manage my time and prioritize tasks but it's certainly doable. There are certain frustrations with some classes/professors but probably not unique to our program =). Yeah, you'll have clinical rotations every semester beginning with semester 2.

Fall and Spring semesters are ~15-16 weeks long and summer is 10ish I think. We are in week 10 right now. For summers it'll be a tight squeeze since you still have to cover the same content but in a more compressed timeline.

Have they mentioned how many people applied and how many got in?

I'm also planning on applying to two ABSN programs here in San Diego. National and CSUSM.

On 10/30/2019 at 11:05 PM, polyacik said:

Yeah, you'll be okay. A lot of people are still working and managing just fine. I'm not working but do have 2 toddlers and live 1.5 hours away from campus and for me that's just about the limit lol. I really have to manage my time and prioritize tasks but it's certainly doable. There are certain frustrations with some classes/professors but probably not unique to our program =). Yeah, you'll have clinical rotations every semester beginning with semester 2.

Fall and Spring semesters are ~15-16 weeks long and summer is 10ish I think. We are in week 10 right now. For summers it'll be a tight squeeze since you still have to cover the same content but in a more compressed timeline.

How is the commute? I also live about 1.5 hours away and was considering just moving up there if I do get accepted. I would like to stay at home though to save on apartment costs and to stay close to my family and friends. Is it do-able to do the drive everyday? Thank you!

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