Northalpine2

To the best of my knowledge I will differentiate the two. Semester: Clinical sites vary each semester (probably even more with COVID). Slower progression through nursing school with Summer semesters off. Different clinical instructors and preceptorship (final clinical course) can be completed at hospitals other than Long Beach Memorial (LBM) or Millers Children's Hospital (MCH). Trimester: Clinical sites are limited to LBM/MCH (excluding mental health and community health). Faster progression through nursing school with Summer semesters on. Entering in Spring means you will complete two Summer semesters which means you finish two semesters before your semester counterparts. Preceptorship is generally done at LBM/MCH. I entered in Spring, like those of you, and chose trimester. I'm clearly biased but I loved trimester, LBM and the clinical instructors (there is overlap in trimester and semester lecture instructors). I would say the big difference is how long you want to be in nursing school. For those concerned about Summer semesters, they are tough but by no means impossible. The semester goes fast and with school running back to back (besides a week break in between or ~1 month for Christmas) you probably forget less over shorter breaks. I will say that I know many people who love semester and some who didn't like trimester. It really just comes down to what you think will work for you.

No worries, hopefully this information is still useful. That is accurate. Patho, Nutrition and Foundations are one lecture per week. You will have one prep day and one clinical day for your clinical class. The first few weeks of your first semester you won't Care Plan (maybe different now with COVID) but you are usually eased into the process of care planning and taking care of pts. in the hospital. I wouldn't plan on doing anything on your prep day bc care planning can be time consuming.

Generally many of your GE courses take care of many course requirements, excluding those completed during nursing school. I, like many of my classmates, did not require any additional classes than what was assigned to us by the SON (school of nursing). If you are missing any courses you can use you myCSULB (whenever available to you) and go to academic requirements under my academics. Basically outlines all required classes for grad and if you have satisfied that requirement or not. Congrats on being accepted, it really is the hardest part of becoming an RN imo. I recommend relaxing until orientation. Orientation will outline deadlines for different requirements (Vaccines, insurance) and etc. Basically just make sure to meet those deadlines and spend the rest of your time until the program starts by relaxing and doing what you enjoy. Nursing school is long, stressful but very manageable. You are not expected to know much day 1, even in terms of anatomy, physiology or medicine. Hope that helps.

I graduated from trimester program in August. Grading is normal 90, 80, 70 etc. I studied by very briefly reviewing the content before lecture. Listened and took notes during lecture. I used the books to study any topic I wanted extra detail on. I primarily studied for tests using lecture material. In my experience lectures covered all testing material and instructors make every effort to be fair in grading.