jayrow

Hi everyone...long time lurker first time posting (at least on this thread). I may have met some of you at the communication exercise already and look forward to meeting the rest of you at the orientation :) Congrats on admission to everyone, all of our hard work has paid off! I also haven't heard about the GPE and I wonder if it's because I'm a transfer/second degree. I'm reading over the policies page and I'm not clear on whether or not I need to take it.

Recent TEAS scores from other applicants are so impressive (how can I even compete with you guys, with scores like those?!). And I am NOT a fan of long, timed fill in bubble standardized tests. Even worse is if they are computerized And to think...we may have to retake it when the new TEAS comes out?! I had a lot going on when I took mine, but I definitely studied hard, yet I only scored an 89, 90 math :/ I think they may have taken TEAS into account more than I assumed at CSULA, because even with my (what I assume) were very good letters of reference, clinical internship experience (one year), being a CNA, 4.0 in sciences (I'm uncertain of my undergrad GPA but it's something like 3.5-3.6), I did not get an interview But I could suspect many factors, low TEAS included...Maybe it was because I didn't hand deliver my application hence it came later than some. Perhaps my advisement meeting at CSULA didn't go as well as I thought. Maybe I annoyed the nursing department with too many emails, lol, always a worry of mine!!

Thanks for taking that step and sharing with us, Ajimka. I seem to remember her saying that at interviews and thinking, "yikes." At this point crossing my fingers for some news by/after June 1st (so far!), when those accepted take further steps in finalizing their decisions. Other than CSULA (rejected) CSUF is my top choice, sigh.

Agree with elkpark. If it's consistently low, then I would be suspicious. Otherwise, there is so much else to factor in--including yourself. You're already committed to the travel--it sounds like you're a pretty motivated individual

Sorry, in op's case I wasn't sure what a "checkered past meant." It could mean substance abuse or...but at any rate, some things I've read here have led me to believe that there are those who have had to take their histories (not talking health histories) up with the board. I would imagine it happens, but I can't offer advice on that issue other than to read those posts.

I've known people who have made the mistake of disclosing their health histories to their employers or future employers. HIPAA and patient confidentiality exist for a reason...a very good reason. While an employer, school, or licensing agency may have the absolute best intentions in mind when judging one's medical history (mental and physical), I personally would choose not to disclose even the smallest amount of medical information. If I tell someone during an interview that I grind my teeth at night it could give the impression that I have repressed anxiety, making me unfit to care for patients. It's a stretch, I understand, but why take an unnecessary risk? what I'm saying is not applicable, of course, if one has a criminal record. The number of background checks we have to go through is high and frequent and they make it quite clear that any "issues" there require explanation. At least as far as I have seen/where I live. I think it's wonderful that you are coming out of a dark place and feeling your successes. Congratulations :) I would echo the others who caution to take care of yourself. Stress tends to exacerbate psych issues, be sure to schedule classes carefully, sleep enough and eat properly. Make time for exercise and friends/family, as a support system will be crucial for you. Best to you.

My thoughts were similar. If you're focused on the $ and the time frame there are plenty of educational opportunities that will pay (maybe only a little at first) after 8 years (such as med school, just to name one). NOT to say that becoming a nurse of any type is at all a poor career choice, even at at your young age. I'm sorry if my first reply made it seem like that. From your posts you seem much more articulate and mature at 17-18 than many with whom I have studied and so you may already have a reasonable idea of what field you want to be in.

Absolutely, definitely DO NOT pursue a CRNA for the money. 1. You don't know where the field will be when you get out of school in 6-10 years. 2. After being involved in health/medical environs for (only) the past 3 years I am going to agree with others and say that you need more than just an interest in salary to motivate you in this field (no offense meant) because: it's (more than) challenging, it's (more than) competitive, it's hard on you physically and mentally, it's time consuming, and it can be initially VERY expensive (why am I doing this, again?). 3. You can't just jump right in to being a CRNA as far as I know. You've got to go through all the regular nurse stuff that some people are maybe not cool with...I don't think there's any way to get around regular clinicals. Long story short: from my somewhat limited experience, there's not a fast track to easy money in nursing

Jm: Heh, well, I thought my score was competitive as well! But one can never be too careful, I suppose Especially if one tends not to interview well! It's a skill that is in progress, as I have had a lot going on this year (haven't we all? :)) good luck to you, your statistics sound strong! If you care for my advice, have a backup plan just in case--though I'm sure you already do.

I'm not sure how they calculate bachelor's degree GPA, so it is my best estimate that my points range from 77-80, if I calculated correctly. However, for residency, my city is on the border of OC and another county. Most people think that it is in Orange County, but it technically falls into "other CA counties." While it's only about 12 miles away from CSUF, I would assume they counted it as "other counties," but I didn't ask. Best of luck.

Lol--I know, I was thinking the same thing, i don't think the policy is, "we didn't get your last transcript (I checked the tracking number and it arrived) but everything else checks out--we'll let you in, despite already having interviewed alternates." Hence my asking about the rejections being sent out. Thanks for you thoughts, all :)

I'm also thinking that they may not have gotten the additional transcript I sent OR maybe my GPA was calculated as very low (my undergrad degree GPA was only 3.2, my last 60 units was I think 3.77 including sciences). I applied thinking I would be competitive, but at the same time you guys have some outstanding stats and I really commend all of you Because I'm sort of on the cusp I haven't been sure if I should call or if I should just wait it out.

Thanks :) I've gotten different calculations of my points, depending on what they use as my final overall GPA. I think it's anywhere from 9.4-9.45, but I'm not sure. Also, *no* I did NOT get an interview invite, which is why I'm waiting on the rejection email I just would have expected it come by now. Thanks again!

I'm wondering if anyone has received a rejection or heard anything else...I haven't heard anything since they requested additional transcripts I sent out. Given my stats are a bit lower than most of you--particularly those accepted (science 4.0, overall 3.7, math 91, teas total 88.7)! Considering this I'm more or less waiting on my rejection email. However, I'd still like a little closure, haha

I just got a very kindly-worded rejection email from CSULA. So, that's good to know. Probably literally the most polite rejection I have ever received, haha.

Sounds like we are all talking to the same schools! Thanks for sharing, everyone. I wish you all good luck and hope there are spaces for all of us *fingers crossed* :)

Thanks for the info :)

We're about three weeks out from our interviews and I'm getting a little (more?!) anxious about the alternate list. I know, I know we have a loooong way to go. Does anyone have any news?

It's going to be okay. I mean, easier said than lived with, right? This brings me back a bit. While my experience was, thank goodness, very little like yours, there were many times when I found myself literally sleepless and dropping weight with concern for residents. Once I did have to make the decision to report a CNA at the site to my instructor (it needed to be done). She took reports from her students very seriously and at the same time was very understanding about the whole thing. Like you, I also felt that maybe I should have done more. BUT our instructor was very clear with us that we were to come to her first with any issues--as I am guessing yours was. After my CNA experiences it has been a difficult fact for me to accept that I cannot personally overhaul the entire care system of our older and disabled population, haha? BUT not so difficult that it obscures this picture: when we learn better, safer, and foster a community of care and best practices, it may not help every patient everyday. But it will help some, some days. That is so much more than if you weren't there. Or if I weren't there (not to sound too arrogant). Where I live there's something called an rCNA which is a rehabilitative (or restorative, I think?) CNA. They are supposed to work with residents specifically to help restore ROM and maintain strength and mobility. It's a few weeks of extra training and you wouldn't have to remediate your whole CNA course. Not sure if you have looked into this or if your state also has HHA courses available...you could also consider applying for an administrative position and then moving into CNA role once you feel more comfortable. Many people do this at the hospital where I was.

My CNA class was 3 months long, 4 days a week for 6-7 hours a day. Our state exam had a timed written and a timed skills exam. I got recommendations on where to take my class. I'm sorry for your experience. It actually sounds scary and I hope there aren't more places like this. I agree you need to contact your state's board of nursing or health or whomever is in charge of these trainings. Also file a complaint with the BBB. You can rally your classmates to do this as well--power in numbers. While you may not know or have vast experience with every skill, I was told that I needed to have experienced all skills on my list (and did, many of them multiple times because it was so busy at the clinical site). This also helped with the skills portion of the exam. You could learn some skills on the job, but there are certain tasks like assisting a non-ambulatory person with showering that pose serious risks to the patient and yourself. Your experience was (I hope!!) and should not be normal. I suspect it does happen though and it might explain some of the egregious CNA behavior I have witnessed (full PPE in hallways ).

This sucks. I've been there more than once. And it always goes over better when I try to work with the professor than against him/her. In essence, I agree with the others. And if you HAVE built up a good relationship with this person already, use it to your advantage...it does appear that you did get the short end of the stick here, but it happens to all (well, most) of us at some point or another. You could always try to switch/drop/fight your way through the nonsense with the school bureaucrats. But I truly think you will gain more from putting your efforts into working with this seemingly unreasonable person: rather than criticizing, go to office hours/arrange alternate hours, send emails/call or text, do what you can to show you're invested. once I have put in this effort, I can't think of a time a professor has refused to work with me. Good luck :)

Congrats! I think you will be in for a fun and exciting time :) Is traditional a first degree program?

Awesome, thanks for adding that, Bangle :) So we have twice as many known alternates as admits.

based on what has happened in previous years they do send out rejections. Last year it was via email.

Anyone else out there hear if they are in or waitlisted/alternate for the csuf ABSN program?