Mount St. Mary's ABSN 2011 applicants

newbiepnp, MSN, RN, NP, CNS · Mar 11, 2011

Budget for $500-$700 for the 1st semester, $100-$200 for the second.

Just real quick. I heard some people spent as much as $1200, but obviously bought all new books.

gia punkarelli · Mar 12, 2011

Hey there,

I am trying to sort through a possible outcome of being accepted to both MSM and CSUN's ABSN programs. I am wondering if anyone has any opinions and/or real world information on whether going to one school or the other is better. Both are excellent programs but MSMC is one year, while CSUN is 15 months. But CSUN is about $15000? while MSMC is $50000!!!

How do the programs compare? Does one have a better reputation than the other? Do I have a better chance of getting a job from going to one school over the other? Does one school have better contacts for possible future employment or is it based more off of your previous volunteer work and/or grades in school and recommendations?

Lots of questions, I know, but any help and guidance that I could get would be greatly appreciated.

Pauliwankenobi · Mar 12, 2011

I heard that csun is difficult to get into, especially if you aren't bilingual. Also, good luck getting in if you're a dude. :'(

Obviously I'm biased because I'm at MSMC, but I was planning on applying to csun if I didn't get into MSMC.

A homegirl's friend is in the csun program, and she does not get as much clinical experience that we do at MSMC. Food for thought. If you can get in csun, do it up!

Edit: personally, I don't know enough about the csun program. Every program is going to talk about how they're better than other programs. Personally, I feel that the mount has a solid reputation (and we frequently run into solid nurses that have gone thru the absn program or the mount).

Plus, our program gets you out in a year. If you start in may, you'll likely be working by the following august. While you might graduate the csun program in august (if you start in the previous may), you'll still need to take your boards and find a job (which may keep you job-searching til February).

gia punkarelli · Mar 13, 2011

Thanks Pauli!

How are you liking the program? Is your clinical schedule pretty consistent, or does it change? Are you able to handle the course load and still have a little bit of a life? Or is it as tough as everyone says?

I really appreciate the feedback!

newbiepnp, MSN, RN, NP, CNS · Mar 13, 2011

Clinicals change every 7 weeks. The first semester the schedule is consistent - WThF. Lots of patient time. The 2nd semester it's random, but once you are placed in a group you are there for each 7 weeks. For instance I was on Saturday and Monday for the first 7 and now am doing Saturday and Sunday for this part of the rotation. It was Mental Health one day and then Adv Med/Surg the other. Now it's L&D one day and Peds the second. The whole cohort will follow the same classes together but clinical assignments will be split into about 10 each.

It is tough, but definitely doable. Just remember that it is one year, don't schedule anything big, and what the prize is at the end. Don't get caught up in logistical problems or the small stuff. You will run into a LOT of type As and there are times where you won't know how you will finish everything on time. However you will, just keep to a schedule. You will be able to have a life, though perhaps not the same that you are used to now.

Pauliwankenobi · Mar 15, 2011

The program is fun! Ive made lots of new friends! I still go out once in a while, although I don't hang out with my friends nearly as much as I did before the program.

Kim pretty much summed up clinicals. The program really isn't that bad- just be sure to give it your all! It seems like they try to "scare" you before you start, but then you really determine how manageable the program is.

Ticklelicious · Apr 8, 2011

Can i ask what time are the clinicals usually? There are no night time clinicals right? Thanks

newbiepnp, MSN, RN, NP, CNS · Apr 9, 2011

Clinicals generally start at 6:30am or 7:00am (depending on your clinical instructor) and last 8 hours. The final 1/2 semester expect to be on for 12 hour shifts which depend on your preceptor's availability.

xluescluesx · Apr 9, 2011

sugarlips, how many hours is the preceptorship in total? Also, can we pick which department we have or is it chosen for us?

newbiepnp, MSN, RN, NP, CNS · Apr 10, 2011

I've heard 64 hours, but not exactly sure. I haven't gone through it yet. We are just in the process of picking our top 3 placements for preceptorship, but just because you list your 3, I've heard it doesn't guarantee desired placements. We shall see how it goes in a few weeks.

xluescluesx · Apr 10, 2011

Do you know how they pick you for first, second or third choice? Is it random or do they do it based on grades or something. I wonder what the most popular/desired choices are.

biscuitmama · Apr 11, 2011

Do you know how they pick you for first, second or third choice? Is it random or do they do it based on grades or something. I wonder what the most popular/desired choices are.

Hi xluescluesx,

I too am in the ABSN program, along with Pauli and sugarlips (hi guys!). We're told that the way they pick really depends on which facilities are willing to open up their units to us and if they have nurses who are willing to precept us. I don't believe that it's based on grades. It's happened before (so i've heard) where people are placed in a unit and hospital they didn't even put down. But we as nursing students are to be gracious and fortunate to get the experience wherever we go and you never know if you'll love or hate a specialty til you get there. Even if you're not happy about your department, you might love who you precept with. Third semester is a long ways from now, and while it's fun to anticipate and learn about the program, I wouldn't worry too much about it.

Good luck with starting the program! I've been reading this thread just recently and it brings back a lot of memories for when I first got accepted, started, etc. It was very exciting times :)