Pre-Nursing Units I should take? (CSUEB or SFSU)

Crystal-Wings, LVN · Apr 8, 2018

Do your undergrad classes at a community college. It's a lot cheaper.

shin_eee · Apr 8, 2018

Thank you for your reply! I heard that taking it at a CC will only under-prepare you for the TEAS... Is that true or is it more of a self-study / preparation thing?

Mishey2 · Apr 8, 2018

If you have a high enough GPA, I say go straight to the 4- year BSN. Honestly, it's best to go straight to a 4-year nursing program right out of high school if you are in Northern California.

I heard from a cousin who went through SFSU's BSN program that they had to find their own clinical placements, not sure if that's the case now. It is best if the school helps in placing you. I don't know about the nursing program at CSUEB. Look at the NCLEX passing rates for these schools to help you determine where to go.

If finances are a concern, consider CSUEB since living in the East Bay versus in SF or even Daly City will be somewhat more affordable unless of course you have family near SF where you can stay with them.

From my personal experience and a few others here in California, doing your prereqs at a CC will put you at a disadvantage because 1) CSU's and UC's continue to add more and more required classes to take before you transfer and not all classes are available every semester at a CC, 2) GPA requirements for prereqs and especially core science classes also increase and 3) you are only accepted for transfer on a space available basis and admission to nursing schools here in California is fierce.

BTW, I passed the TEAS test after taking prereqs at my local community college to transfer but that was years ago. So i think it's more of a self-study/preparation thing.

shin_eee · Apr 8, 2018

Wow, thank you so much for your thoughtful and through explanation!!

I was comparing prices between SFSU and CSUEB and CSUEB is definitely way cheaper like you said so I will most likely attend CSUEB. Also from what I heard, CSUEB helps you find a clinic nearby which is good but not sure about SFSU.

I had no idea that UC and CSU continually add new classes, and in this case attending a CSU seems like a huge advantage. Sort of confusing why the CC do not regulate their courses to match the UC or CSU, but I guess you get what you pay for haha.

I sound kinda dumb for asking but what is the NCLEX? And do you know which nursing schools in the bay are good?

And congrats on your TEAS!

MyAimIsTrue, BSN · Apr 9, 2018

These are the two schools I applied to as well. CSUEB was by far my first choice because of where I live. Their NCLEX pass rates are comparable, I believe. If you go to a CC, which is way cheaper, you will complete the requirements for an Associate's degree (making sure you are taking all of the nursing pre-reqs) before transferring to either university. I took my pre-reqs at CC's in the East Bay and did very well on the TEAS (already had a previous Bachelor's degree). You will need to sit down with a counselor at any school you attend to make sure you are taking the right courses.

shin_eee · Apr 10, 2018

Thank you for your reply! I am still conflicted if I should go to CC or just head straight to CSUEB. But thanks to your guys' replies I am more informed and confident about what school I should attend :)

I am still not sure what the NCLEX is... when do I take it and what is it for?

Thanks again!

Mishey2 · Apr 14, 2018

I just realized you still have to take the GE and prereq requirements at either CSUEB or SFSU before you can register for the nursing core classes. I was thinking it was like a straight 4-year BSN program. Do note that they give priority to students who enrolled and completed the GE and science prereqs

at their school (2 of my cousins did that).

If you go to a CC first to take prereq, to transfer over, they say will accept minimum 3.2 GPA but those who have 3.9 to 4.0 GPA are at the top of their waitlists. And even then, read some of the other threads here on AN, some were rejected because there's only so many open slots available after their own students are accepted into the nursing program.

I was waitlisted for 2 schools for 1.5 years, one was CSU Channel Islands where I was accepted, passed the TEAS but was offered very little in Federal student loans (since I already had another Bachelor's degree) and couldn't afford to take out private loans. I ended up finishing a BSN in a top accredited nursing school in another country and being licensed in that country, applied to sit for the NCLEX and now am reviewing for it.

The NCLEX is the national nursing licensure exam you will sit and take to be licensed as a nurse. You don't have to worry about that until your 4th year of college.

Good luck to you and your endeavors!

shin_eee · Apr 15, 2018

Once again, Thank you so much Mishey2 for your easy-to-understand and informative replies!

It seems the nursing department is becoming extremely competitive and it is expected for schools to require strict requirements but 3.9-4.0 GPA? That is crazy! I heard 3.5 was good enough but I obviously need to wake up haha.

I was almost certain that I will be attending CSUEB mostly for its location and budget convenience but now I am certain that I will attend there because of the prioritized waitlisting. Thank you for the pro-tip!

Thank you for coming back to this post to update, I appreciate that a lot!

And I really hope you do amazing on your NCLEX

Mishey2 · Apr 16, 2018

Glad I was of some help. Thank you!

:bookworm: :up: :yeah:

Paj14vr · Apr 20, 2018

I sound kinda dumb for asking but what is the NCLEX? And do you know which nursing schools in the bay are good?
And congrats on your TEAS!

After graduating a nursing program and before you can work as an RN, you need to pass the NCLEX, a board exam for RNs, here in CA.

Go to Rn.ca.gov

Click "Applicant" tab

Choose "Education"

Then you will be given options;

Choose "NCLEX Pass Rates"

Those are the graduated students that have passed the NCLEX, if it says 101/98%, then that means 98% of 100 students passed the NCLEX during that specific year.

A lot of people think that higher NCLEX pass rates translates to the students getting good education through that school's nursing program.

You can schedule an appointment with a counselor at one of the schools near you that has a nursing program (or at your school) to check what you can do right now to increase your chances of succeeding in future classes, should you be taking any AP classes? Which ones? Can you take summer classes at the community college, etc.

I have heard that SJSU and CSU Sacramento have excellent NCLEX Pass Rates, teachers, and Attrition/Retention rates. They also have higher GPA and TEAS test requirements.

caliotter3 · Apr 20, 2018

Verify your conclusions with the nursing advisor at the schools you are considering before making your final decision.