surferbruin

Hi saral_123, I'm unable to reply back to your PM (I guess I haven't met the required number of posts?) but wanted to say overall, I'm happy with the program and if I could do it again, I'd still choose CSULB. It definitely puts your social life on hold and many of us will have to reintroduce ourselves to family and friends after graduation!! But if you want to get your BSN & MSN asap, then this would be a great option for you. Also, if you're considering on becoming an APN, CSULB allows you to choose any of the options they offer (FNP, GNP, CNS, etct). Just keep in mind that what students normally learn in a 15-18 week long semester, you will learn in 6 weeks i.e. you'll have 2-3 days of lecture, then 2 days of 12-hour clinicals, plus time to actually study, etc. Also, you may be able to work part-time during the MSN part due to the schedule format (I believe it's less intense), but definintely won't be able to do so as easily during the BSN part. There are amazing instructors who are great student advocates, but then there are also the not so great ones...but this can probably be said for any or most academic settings. In terms of feeling prepared to become an RN, I honestly haven't met a single RN who has said that he/she felt comfortable when first starting out (we haven't graduated yet) as a new grad no matter what kind of program they graduated from. But I'm a firm believer you take out what you put in, so if you're a go-getter and motivated (which sounds like you are with your researching nursing schools!), I think that any program would be lucky to have you. Best wishes and good luck!

Hi richo, I tried pm-ing you but there's no option for it in my account...not sure why it's the case but to answer your question, I called Sheri to set up an interview. I had filled out my online appplication but hadn't yet sent it any of my information and she went ahead and scheduled me for the interview. I already work at UCLA so I think that might have been why she still went ahead and scheduled me. The interview with the unit director is the one that matters as it's up to him/her to offer you the position. It was very straight forward - why do you want to work in this unit, what strengths will you bring to this unit, how would your peers describe you, etc. They also looked pretty extensively at the cover letter & resume, so I'd recommend spending a good amount of time on those. Hope this helps and good luck!!!

hey mammothsnw! i have an interview with the unit manager at UCLA SICU & CTICU for the new grad residency program very soon, and was wondering if you had any tips re: the interview itself, as well as the new grad orientation process? thanks!

I don't know about CSUF since I didn't apply there. But as it stands now at CSULB, you work towards both a MSN and Clinicial Nurse Specialist in Adult Acute Care during the second half of the ELM program. I will be a CSULB ELM student starting this fall, and during the orientation, the director for our program actually revealed that they were working on creating another specialty option for us. She said that it was going to be Nurse Practitioner (I can't remember if she specified if it was FNP or WNP), but I'm thrilled that we'll have the choice for whatever specialty we want. Hope this helps!

Yea, I also applied to UCLA and Western U. But CSULB would be so ideal because it's affordable, and I could live at home while going to school. CSUF's program looks pretty good since students have specialization options for the post-Masters. Unfortunately, I didn't apply to either CSUF or CSULA because I didn't know they had EL-MSN programs until after the deadlines had passed! I wish I had known earlier though because I'd be saving so much time with not having to re-apply to post-master's certificate programs

Hi nskoog! I've applied for CSULB's program for Fall 2007. Eek...mid-May is so far off, huh? Do you know if that's the latest or when they'll actually send the letters out? I found out that orientation is supposed to be June 1st so it would only give us minimum 2 weeks from finding out we're in to really deciding we're attending.

Thanks nskoog!!

Nevermind my previous question! I was looking at the nursing webpage through the university site but found the nursing.fullerton.edu site!

Hi all! I was looking at the CSUF website, but I couldn't find any information about a direct entry MSN program (besides the ADN to MSN program). Is this a program for RNs who have their associates, and not for non-RNs who have bachelor degrees? Any information would be appreciated! =)

I know what you mean, asherah...I'm trying to keep busy because I find myself thinking about it if I stay idle. Hang in there!! and for what it's worth, know that we're here with ya!

Hi all! :) I completely feel everyone on how anxious and stressful of a time this is...simply waiting for a response! I got into Western U's program and am now waiting on UCLA and CSULB. Has anyone already taken the epidemiology course? I know UCLA offers it but I'm wondering if there are more affordable places that might offer it too...