Is Loma Linda better than Cal State San Bernardino?

**NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN** · Mar 9, 2010

Here's the thing, they are two completely different programs yes.

Loma Linda University:

All clinicals are done at this hospital, there are pros/cons to this

Pros: its' a level 1 trauma center, so in theory you should see some of EVERYTHING

Cons: you are only going to be exposed to one style of charting and one way of doing things.

I have been told the instructors and staff are good with the students. So you will receive many good learning opportunities

Other things to consider: I have several coworkers who went to LLU, most of them say their biggest regret was the insane student loans they are paying back now. I think the one with the smallest amount has 80,000 most of them have closer to 100k or 120k. They literally work and work and work because of the huge payments they have. Most of them figure they will be paying them off the next 20 to 30 years. So it really delays the opportunity for buying houses and other financial avenues. I believe the current cost now is close to 30k a year tuition?

If you do go there I would take as MANY classes as possible elsewhere for cheaper.

CSUSB: i'm doing my RN to BSN right now there, I had actually been in the original straight BSN program but had family issues. I can tell you they have had organizational issues but they now have a new dean and are attempting better organization. Some of the teachers seem lax and give contradictory information. There are good and bad, like most schools.

They do clinicals at several sites for the generic RN students, so you would get more of a variety as far as how things work. Arrowhead Regional, St. Bernardines, Community hospital San Bernardino, Riverside Community Hospital I think are where most of the clinicals are done.

So Loma Linda, you get better exposure in a way to one hospital, but you will shell out a LOT of money. Consider that my student loan payments are over 600/month and I have less than half of what someone would end up with at Loma Linda.

RN's in this area, would easily shell out over 1/4 of their income for the student loans.

CSUSB: cheap, but mediocre teachers. You'll probably spend less than 20k if you're thrifty.

Good luck to you!

kalimuse · Mar 9, 2010

NickiLaughs - thanks for such a detailed response :) it really helps to know what the nurses from LLU feel about their student loans, and how much you are paying - costs are a huge concern of course!

Since you are already RN, do you think that your classes are helping you? I know that economy is bad and I have read how some grads from Dec 08, and others from 2009 are unable to find jobs. Do you think new CSUSB grads are having this problem?

**NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN** · Mar 9, 2010

They are more likely to get a job currently then an Associate degree RN. I was one of the few (graduated 01/09) who did, but I also had several years of LVN experience. I know my hospital was typically hiring the BSN's first unless you were an outstanding ADN nurse.

Unforunately, my hospital was one of the few hiring new graduates, but they now have stopped hiring and are talking about layoffs because they did over-hire. However, since you are looking at a BSN program, the economy could be completely different by the time you graduate in 3 years.

The current classes I'm taking are mostly fluff, "leadership, ethics, etc" My health assessment class has been very good, and I believe pathophysiology next quarter will be useful. Otherwise, most of the classes have been utterly useless. Nursing philosophy? complete waste of time!

kalimuse · Mar 10, 2010

Thanks NickiLaughs for all the info ... I have been trying to get as realistic a picture as possible. Everyone is hoping for the economy to improve, but you never know, so am just trying to prepare myself as best as possible with the resources I have. I should hear from CSUSB by Aug (I think), and if it's a denial, will take pre-reqs for LLU, and apply for both for winter. When I went to CSU to drop off docs for my app, one of the applicants had just gotten out of one of their group orientations. She said that they told them that they received over 1400 applications for Fall, but would only have 44 spots open. Crazy isn't it?

I hope that you do really well in the program - know what it is like to work and go to school - NOT easy - and if you have a family to take care of also, extra kudos... :yeah: [i LOVE these face things!] ... and keeping fingers crossed for you that things stay good for you at your hospital. Do you find that other nurses are helpful to you? I have read about some pretty tough times in the first year nurse forum.

**NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN** · Mar 10, 2010

wow 1400 applicants..that's crazy high. usually after they weed out those that are missing classes or don't have some of the other recommended classes (like biochem 208) it's more like 400-450.

it really depends on your unit as far as support. Day shift in my ICU is horrible, working nights, is fantastic, we all help eachother. I also didn't have as much of a learning curve, I was already comfortable working with patients from my experience as an LVN.

I'm actually pregnant on top of the working and going to school, but the RN to BSN program they tend to be somewhat realistic knowing that we are not constantly available to do things last minute. And so far it's not been that difficult. I'm just glad I have 4 quarters left.

kalimuse · Mar 10, 2010

Congrats on your soon to be new one hope everything is going well for you - i would recommend massages if you can and that's your thing. My little one had to go to hospital as an infant - part of what motivated me to go into nursing, we had great nurses that really took care of us.

I see that you have had experience at prison setting. How did you find that? Thanks again for your responses :nurse: there are so many areas of nursing that I was not aware of

kalimuse · Mar 10, 2010

thanks also about the CSU applicant info, 400-450 was what i remembered hearing from my group orientation

AloeBlox · Mar 11, 2010

NickiLaughs what school did you get your adn in? im starting valley this year..... around nov. or dec. i recently graduated form csusb but with a another degree thats why i didnt consider that school for bsn. I will be starting at valley... i keeo hearing great stories about the students who finish the program there.... especially since they do a partnership with CHW

bernalkaren64 · Sep 19, 2013

hey guys I was wondering if anyone knew how many applicants san bernardino accepted into their nursing program?(:

**NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN** · Jan 9, 2017

Always good to hear both sides even if a little late. Try to be careful with those loans though! The payments can be brutal even on a nurse salary. :)