Need Loma Linda University Feedback

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hello everyone. I apologize in advance if I'm not in the right Topic. I am applying to various Nursing schools and one of my choices is Loma Linda University. This school is owned and operated by Seventh-day Adventist Church and I've never attended a christian school and I want to get other people's feedback before I apply here. Thank you for your feedback in advance. Aleks.

I TOO AM INTERESTED IN THIS SCHOOL, THE MAIN REASON BEING THE FACT THAT THERE IS NO WAITING LIST(CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG). WHAT WAS YOUR COST FOR ALL FOUR YEARS AND YOUR EXPERIENCE OF GOING TO A SCHOOL OF THIS RELIGION IF IT IS NOT THE SAME AS YOURS. DO YOU OVERALL FEEL AS IF YOU GOT A GOOD EDUCATION AND WERE WELL PREPARED TO BECOME AN RN

PN, could you please not type in all caps? It's hard on the eyes and is considered "shouting".

Up Vote Up Vote ×

tazzi rn, maybe its just you, ive never had anyone complain about it before and its not meant to offend anyone, seems like you're making a big deal out of nothing. im not shouting at anyone, its just a preference

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Government.

All-caps typing is hard on the eyes. It isn't allowed on any board where I'm active.

I'm an SDA and Loma Linda is the gold standard in terms of what the faith has to offer in higher education. Loma Linda is also home to our long term health study. Their research standards are the highest I've seen. All the LL nursing grads I know (SDA and non) have loved the program and felt they got a great, well guided education. I'm sure the nursing office can give you the names of grads to talk to...21 years after I'm out of school, I still talk to prospective students about my alma mater (Catholic).

The dietary issues are pretty esoteric..and many SDAs pick and choose what works for them and what they consider important. Most I know do not smoke, drink or use caffeine. Most are ovo-lacto vegetarians. However the pepper/mustard thing? Really old school. Any Sabbath potluck at my church will have some of both, I guarantee it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Well, it definitelly seems like it's worth the $120 application fee. I also assume that it takes the traditional three years to get my Bachelor's degree. DeLyShhow many hours of hospital practice did you have to do every week? Thanks!! Aleks.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.
I TOO AM INTERESTED IN THIS SCHOOL, THE MAIN REASON BEING THE FACT THAT THERE IS NO WAITING LIST(CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG). WHAT WAS YOUR COST FOR ALL FOUR YEARS AND YOUR EXPERIENCE OF GOING TO A SCHOOL OF THIS RELIGION IF IT IS NOT THE SAME AS YOURS. DO YOU OVERALL FEEL AS IF YOU GOT A GOOD EDUCATION AND WERE WELL PREPARED TO BECOME AN RN

I spent roughly $55,000 at Loma Linda to complete the program. I started in January of 2005 and finished in June of 2007, took a class over one of the summers and took Spring of 2006 off for personal reasons. I already had a BA in Biology when I started so I really only had to complete the nursing courses and requisite religions and statistics lab. There is no waiting list.

I did not feel as though my personal faith was ever in question or frowned on nor did I feel that I was being actively recruited to the SDA faith. They base their beliefs on this church but mostly focused on Christ and His teachings. It was nice.

I haven't started my first job as a new grad yet (I will start in Aug) but I got hired at the medical center quickly. This was partly due to their preference to hire from the School of Nursing and because I was able to do my student preceptorship (or practicum) in the unit I wanted to work for so they knew me and my work habits well. I am nervous about starting to work as a new RN but I think that comes with the territory no matter where you go to school. (I am comforted by the fact that I know the unit and I will be starting with a 5 month orientation program.) Also, I passed the NCLEX with 75 questions as did many of my classmates. So, yes, I feel as prepared as I'm ever gonna get. ;)

DeLySh

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Hi all,

I am living in LA and looking for a nursing school to attend. I already have a BA and MS but thinking about to attend a community college because it is a cheap and fastest. But I am not sure where to go. I came from CO so I really do not know around CA. I am thinking about going to LACC or LATTC. Please give me some info on these schools. Or should I just go to CalState LA?

Why don't you start a new post on this so that it's not mixed up with a discussion about Loma Linda?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.
Well, it definitelly seems like it's worth the $120 application fee. I also assume that it takes the traditional three years to get my Bachelor's degree. DeLyShhow many hours of hospital practice did you have to do every week? Thanks!! Aleks.

Aleks,

I definitely feel that it was worth it!!! I already had a BA in Biology so I was able to bypass much of the bachelor's requirements as I had already completed them. I started the program in January 2005 and finished in June of 2007. I took a class in the Summer of 2005 and took a leave of absence in Spring of 2006 and still finished on time. If you are creative and willing to work you can finish earlier. They make a generic schedule out for the students so they know what to take next and for the most part it's a good idea to follow. You can't take some classes out of order, like Med/Surg II before Med/Surg I. But, if you can handle the workload you can take more than what they suggest during certain quarters. For instance, I took Research with Critical Care and took Epidemiology over the summer. It made life much easier in the end.

As far as hospital hours, that depends on what class you are taking. Fundamentals was two 6-7 hour days. But we also had skills lab and that took another day, just not in the hospital. Other quarters you have multiple classes that you go to the hospital for. OB had a full 9 hour day and Peds had a full 9 hour day. Do you see what I mean? Toward the end you schedule your own clinical time based on the requirements for the class. (Keep in mind that none of this includes pre and post conferences) I had full weeks but always had at least one day off including weekends (until the end). Friday classes are completed by noon every week so that they can prepare for the Sabbath that begins at sundown. Therefore, the entire school, library and such, shuts down until Monday. (Sometimes, Sunday)

Does that help? Please apply. You won't regret it.

DeLySh

Up Vote Up Vote ×

DeLySh thank you so much for your lengthy inputs(the more the better;)). I'm going to start working on my essay pretty soon. Although English isn't my first language, I think I'll do okay on that part but if you have any tips on the essay part, I'll always appreciate it. Thank you! Aleks.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.
DeLySh thank you so much for your lengthy inputs(the more the better;)). I'm going to start working on my essay pretty soon. Although English isn't my first language, I think I'll do okay on that part but if you have any tips on the essay part, I'll always appreciate it. Thank you! Aleks.

You are very welcome. I apologize for the length but I am really passionate about the program. As for the essay, just write from the heart. That's exactly what I did. They are trying to get a feel for who you are and if you can put a sentence together. I can tell from your responses here you won't have any trouble with the essay at all. Good luck and take care.

DeLySh

Up Vote Up Vote ×

DeLysh,

I emailed you about getting your opinion about LLU's nursing program. Let me know if you prefer to have me write posts on here to you.

Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.
DeLysh,

I emailed you about getting your opinion about LLU's nursing program. Let me know if you prefer to have me write posts on here to you.

Thanks!

yams,

I didn't receive an email but feel free to ask here. Is there something specific you wanted to know that I haven't addressed, yet? I am still a student there, only now I'm in the graduate program.

Just let me know. Good luck!

DeLySh

Up Vote Up Vote ×
yams,

I didn't receive an email but feel free to ask here. Is there something specific you wanted to know that I haven't addressed, yet? I am still a student there, only now I'm in the graduate program.

Just let me know. Good luck!

DeLySh

DeLySh,

Thank you so much for your quick response! I was not expecting it...and happy that you did :)!!! Recently, I received an acceptance letter from Loma Linda University (LLU) School of Nursing for the Accelerated Masters program.

I am contemplating on whether I should go to LLU or not. I don't know anyone going to LLU SON....and I wanted to ask someone who has been through it..as yourself =)!

Here are a few reasons for my contemplation:

1) My Protestant Christian denomination is Presbyterian...and definitely Christianity is a huge part of my life...it honestly makes up who I am today. I understand SDA somewhat because my best friend was a SDA...So I grew up in that environment. I completely respect SDA beliefs and views. But I'm wondering if that will affect my studies at LLU and my religious beliefs. I understand I will need to go to chapel every week and take a few religious studies classes...but I wonder...will LLU try to convert or make me conform....will there be any sense of pressuring? Will they force me to believe them? Or will they respect my views and let me respect theirs? If I choose to go to LLU, this will be my first experience at attending a religious private school, so not sure how everything is constructed. I went to public schools all my life.

2) I understand Sabbath and Saturday, where SDAs worship on Saturdays........and that there won't be classes or clinicals on that day. But now I'm wondering...will we have classes, seminars, conferences, clinicals, etc....that I would need to go to on Sundays? Clinicals...I figure some would occur on Sundays...and there would be no way of getting out of that since the hospital never closes. I go to church on Sundays...and wondering if it'll be a problem.

3) After graduation, wondering if I'll have a hard time finding a job at an institution that is not SDA affiliated? Such as...UCLA or Cedars-Sinai...since I would be graduating from a SDA/religious university?

4) Also, this question is specifically for you DeLySh. You said that you're still currently a student at LLU..that's now in the graduate program. Did you start off like I did? Have a B.A./B.S. and took the accelerated track? I applied for the accelerated Masters and I'm wondering how that works...because on LLU's Nursing website...I only saw a study layout similar to the accelerated Bachelors' ....and on the accelerated Masters study layout...it just states that I would start graduate courses in the 7th quarter...now from that time, how much longer do you need to graduate? Would I need to apply for the graduate program separately after I finish the Bachelors portion? Or is it assumed I begin graduate courses right away?

I would appreciate ANY feedback and apologize for the ridiculously long post! I just need to make sure that I'm choosing the right graduate school for me. Unfortunately, I have till THIS COMING WEEK to decide. Talk about short amount of time, huh?

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment