Does it matter which Cal State one goes to?

U.S.A. California

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Is there any discernable difference between BSN programs at Cal States? Am I better of going to one than others?

I ask this because I am thinking of going to either CSU San Bernardino or CSU Los Angeles. Anyone here have any experience with them? How was it?

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Specializes in Medical/Surgical/Maternal and Child.

I've heard most of the Cal State BSN programs are excellent but the ones I heard the most about were Chico State and San Jose State. Chico State in Chico, California is a nice small college town. Check them out.

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Don't go to san bernardino! I'm sure the school is not bad, but the city sucks! I grew up there. There is nothing to do!

Housing is cheaper there and it is more suburban than L.A... But there are so many things to do in LA. THe city is filled with so much more culture then san bernardino.

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Don't go to san bernardino! I'm sure the school is not bad, but the city sucks! I grew up there. There is nothing to do!

Housing is cheaper there and it is more suburban than L.A... But there are so many things to do in LA. THe city is filled with so much more culture then san bernardino.

It's useful to let the OP know that there are significant differences between San Berndardino and Los Angeles. Just saying "Don't go!" doesn't seem very helpful. We don't know what the OP is looking for besides a good BSN program. Still, I'd imagine that there are other equitable CSU programs in nicer places to live than SB. I'm wondering if the OP is already in So Cal and perhaps that's why he/she's inquiring after those programs specifically? Not all CSUs offer BSN programs but I don't know which ones do, which ones don't and what differences they may have in pre-reqs and acceptance processes that might affect one's choice of school.

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Cal States with BSN programs that I know of: Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Fullerton, Long Beach and Dominguez Hills. You should visit with the advisement office and get a feel for them, take a tour of their nursing classes and labs. I went to CSULA briefly, and at the time, the administration was MEAN to pre-nursing students. It was just awful, I don't know if they were doing that because they wanted to weed people out (this was in fall 2001) or if it was just the director. You want a department who is going to nurture your growth as a student to become successful.

Also, check out the passing rates at www.rn.ca.gov that can be helpful in determining where you want to go.

I'm going back to CSULA for my MSN next fall. Good luck to you!

Edit- as far as 'does it matter' it really only matters to you. Employers don't favor one over the other. I work with ASN and BSNs from everywhere, especially international. If they need you, they'll hire you no matter where you came from or where you went.

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Specializes in Surgical/Trauma ICU.

Chico is known for being a party school though and having a messy/unoraganized administration for the nursing school.

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Specializes in Transplant/Surgical ICU.

This thread is from 2007!!! I wonder if the OP made a choice on the schools...

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I LOVE Cal State LA!!! I actually spent 10 years there because I kept changing my major. I finally switched to nursing in 1998, stuck with it and graduated with my BSN in 2001. The nursing program was very good. I would highly recommend going there over San Bernardino, although you should visit both schools, just to get a feel for the environment. I personally cannot stand San Bernardino and prefer LA any day. I don't know much about their nursing program though.

I'm not sure where you are located, but you also might want to consider Cal State San Marcos. Judy Papenhausen is in charge of the nursing program at Cal State San Marcos. She was the chair of the nursing department at Cal State LA when I attended and ran a great program...so I'm assuming she's doing the same thing at Cal State San Marcos.

Good luck!

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I go to Fresno State and i love the program. The faculty is super nice and open to students and encourage involvement. We have a pretty large program. I would recommend it definitley!!!!

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