Fall 2010 Applicants in Southern California

jippyskippy02 · Mar 21, 2010

I also just got into GWC after first try too! I will be turning in my application for CSULB for ELMSN this upcoming week. I have not taken the TEAS test yet but I am scheduled for that for March. I am also conflicted about the Masters program. At this point I will go where ever I have been accepted. I am very excited just to be taking a step in starting my career! We are already lucky to have been accepted at a school. I think the good thing about the ADN program is that it seems like it would be easier to work during that program and it is cheaper as well. And you could always take a bridge program towards an MSN. It is also possible to apply towards the ELMSN while in nursing school at GWC. I heard from the director of nursing at CSUF school that they would honor the nursing units and count them towards the MSN.

LillbrenLBC · Mar 21, 2010

Congrats jippyskippy02!! I know someone that has applied to GWC 4 times! (when they used to take apps per semester)...so I really do feel lucky to have gotten accepted. I called GWC the other day just to verify some info--they will be sending another letter after the TEAS testing is done with an acceptance form that MUST be completed to guarantee your spot in the program. You can also send your TEAS score electronically if you take it before the April date, as you probably know from the letter, and I just did that, costs $20 to send it in.

Yeah, I think you are right--it's great as long as we get into a program! The cost of the ADN program has me thinking, but I'll just wait for CSULB's decision before I really give it more thought, other than that I will drive myself nuts with a lot of possibilities that may not be a reality for me in the end!

Good to hear about the ADN nursing classes applying to the MSN program, thanks for that info, I hadn't looked into it yet.

Good luck on the TEAS!! Let me know if you have any questions about it.

Malefocker, BSN, RN · May 16, 2010

I just came across your thread... As I am still waiting for a letter from Saddleback. They actually had 601 applicants and the 45 spots that were available via point system where all taken by people who had 18 pts (or 4.0's) which is a little crazy. I am still holding out hope that I will get picked through their lottery system. I too am restarting my career and had to make all of these tough decisions. I have a Bachelor degree in Child Psychology. I debated about going into an ELM MSN program but here is my thought process...

1. I have never been a nurse before... and even though the thought of becoming one excites me greatly the truth is that I really know very little about what a nurse does or the day to day routine they undergo. For this reason I feel that I would rather spend approx 5000$ and get my ADN and then work as a nurse and really make sure this is what I want to do. Then pay the 40000$ it is going to cost me to bridge to a MSN. (By the way Cal State Fullerton has a good ADN - MSN bridge up by you)

2. Financial - Once again I already have a bachelors degree so why spend 40000$ on another bachelor (BSN) and then another 40000$ on a MSN. LIke you my goal in the future is to become a NP or equivalent.

3. Getting my ADN first will give me those valuable clinical experience I want because up until now I have been doing a different career. It is a little easier... and I can work part time.

With that being said... my chances of getting into Saddleback are slim... so if I don't get in I am most likely just going to apply directly into a MSN program. I am thinking about working as a CNA first and getting the experience that way. Anyway I have been researching and talking to people about all of these things for a year and half (Since I decided I wanted to be a nurse) So if you have any questions. let me know! I can't remember if you said you had gotten accepted but I think you did. Congrats!!! At this point I would take an acceptance anywhere...

LillbrenLBC · May 18, 2010

Hi Malefocker--

Thanks for going over your thought process....it's nice to read the comments of others who are in a similar situation. I did get accepted to GWC for Fall 2010 and will definitely be going there, even if by some miracle Saddleback accepts me as well. That's crazy about Saddleback taking only 18-pointers!! Like you, maybe I could be chosen by lottery, though I have all As in my pre-reqs, my most recent cumulative GPA at that time was a 3.7, so I would be really close to 18 points!! I hope you get chosen!! I agree with all of your statements about experience, money, etc......and I am definitely going to look into the ADN-MSN bridge programs. But like you said, let's get the experience first. I didn't mention it in my first post, but in addition to wanting to go for CSN or NP (at this moment anyway) I have always liked public health, epidemiology, etc, and Microbio was my favorite class by far, so I have to consider my innate interests as well, and who knows---maybe i will combine nursing with a more research-oriented or public health slant (like a MSN-MPH program, or just a MPH, etc, etc).....I guess I'll have a better idea of what my niche will be once I am done with the ADN.

You said you are just going to apply to a MSN program if you don't get into Saddleback......are you considering CSULB? I didn't get accepted there (probably for the best!)...just found out a couple weeks ago. I heard the cutoff score (out of 10 points) was really high this year, above 9.0.....I had like a 8.7 score. Crazy!

Good Luck....I hope Saddleback comes through for you!!

Malefocker, BSN, RN · May 19, 2010

I was thinking about applying to CSULB how do you determine you score? I also need to take a 5 unit Chem class because the last chem class I took was back in 04. Basically I had a 3.3 GPA in college and since I have started taking pre-reqs I have gotten all A's except a B in Anatomy. I would think I would be competitive but I actually didn't get into Saddleback so I am going to apply to the other community colleges in the area along with CSULB MSN program and just see what happens. I feel that since my ultimate goal is to have an MSN I don't really want to go for my BSN... Seems like a waste of money! Anyway I am going to apply at.. Saddleback, Cypress, GWC, Riverside CC, and LBCC, If you know of any other programs in that area please let me know! Thanks for you help.. Good luck in nursing school

LillbrenLBC · May 20, 2010

For CSULB'S EL-MSN program there is a 10 point ranking system. You have to take the TEAS also before applying. The breakdown: 4 points awarded for science GPA (Anat, Physio, Micro, and Chem), 2 points for other pre-reqs GPA (English, Math, Speech, etc), 2 points for your overall TEAS score, and 2 points for your TEAS Math score. So, the 4 points science GPA is easy to figure out because you just use your GPA for those classes, and for the other requirements---I just halved whatever my actual score was to figure out my total. You have to have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in your undergrad cumulative GPA to qualify, but they don't factor this in the points system.

CSUF's ranking system is quite different----more factors they consider in the process and letters of rec if I am remembering correctly.

Good luck taking Chem! That is the class that ultimately hurt me...i had As in all my other sciences, and just one B within all my other pre-reqs, but a C in Chem :-( I also had a decent, but not super-high TEAS score of 88.8 overall, and 88.9 for Math (ranking-wise for TEAS, that is actually really high, was like in top 3% nationwide, but I know that some people were scoring well above the 90s) You can take the TEAS more than once and they will take your highest score.

I would try all the schools you mentioned, and aside from more expensive and private programs, I can't think of any other schools off the top of my head. I went to LBCC's orientation--they have more requirements than other CCs, and I wasn't too impressed with the orientation itself, but I guess they have a decent program based on what I've heard others say (not a big fan of the school itself based on first impressions and my husband's experience as a student there) GWC's requirements to get in are straightforward, and you apply around October, but then they do lottery also.

Again, good luck! And I will keep you posted on anything relevant that I hear about that could help you in the application process.

Malefocker, BSN, RN · May 21, 2010

Thanks for all the Info... I will keep you updated as well.. Good luck in Nursing School

Mom&Wifetoo · May 21, 2010

I think the good thing about the ADN program is that it seems like it would be easier to work during that program and it is cheaper as well.

I just wanted to give a little heads up for you, while you are right about the cheaper, I am not so sure about the easier :) ADN programs are no joke, or at least where I go! Many of the people where I attend were working and have since quit. Good luck on either route you choose! You can't go wrong with either choice!!!! :)

Malefocker, BSN, RN · Oct 8, 2010

Hey Guys!

I came across this old post and I couldn't resist commenting on it because my thoughts have changed so drastically in such a short time!!! So where all you guys at in terms of nursing school? I actually got accepted into absn program for San Marcos but I declined their offer since I am really holding out for CSULB elmsn. I ended up getting a 3.76 Science GPA, 3.61 general GPA, TEAS 88.8 and TEAS Math 97.8. That gives me a score of 9.29. I hope this is competitive enough to get into Long Beach... but the applicant pool keeps getting stronger and stronger. last years the cut off was 9.1! I am keeping my fingers crossed.

It's funny I actually decided not to apply to any ADN programs and instead I only applied to some accelerated BSN's. Anyway I hope you all are doing well! I look forward to being a nursing student soon! It's been way too long.