Sacramento State (CSUS) Fall 2015 applications

Published

Hi everyone,

My name is Daniel and I just wanted to create this thread so everyone applying to Sac State can share their scores and post any questions they may have.

Ill start!

Pre +Co requisite GPA: 3.92

TEAS Score: 88.0%

Optional Criteria: 6

Overall app score: 78

I am planning to retake the TEAS exam in order to, hopefully, get a higher score!

Hi Claudiamoss! I am also taking the TEAS at Sac State on the 27th. I've been studying for the past few weeks and now I am focusing on my weak areas. Good luck to you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Hi Claudiamoss! I am also taking the TEAS at Sac State on the 27th. I've been studying for the past few weeks and now I am focusing on my weak areas. Good luck to you!

I have been studying every day for the past 3 weeks. I am nervous about the exam. good luck to you too. we should say hi to each other :cat:

@VintageSwagger

I have a question about BILINGUAL LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY – 3 POINTS

5) Oral proficiency examination (written verification of an oral proficiency examination isrequired. To schedule an oral proficiency examination for nursing, contact the Foreign

Language department at (916) xxxxxxx

Do I schedule now or after Feb 1st when the nursng application is open? There is no information on the Foreign Language department about oral exam. How long is the oral exam or what exactly do they give me after the exam?

Moreover, 3) Graduation from a secondary school where the language of instruction was one of the languages receiving points; not English

Does that mean they want a transcript? or Just a graduation certificate will do.

It will probably take more very long time to request a new transcript overseas, I have one at home( in US) that is not sealed, you think that is ok?

thank you very much.:yes:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neonatal, NICU level IV.

ClaudiaMoss,

1. I would call them sooner than later. You are at the whim of their schedule so you would want the most options. They are usually pretty good about it though. The test doesn't take a long time; they are pretty quick about discerning your proficiency.

2. As far as the transcript/diploma issue…. I would imagine that a diploma/graduation certificate that is transcribed in a language other than English should be fine. I have seen many people use foreign transcripts but not a diploma. I am also not sure about it being sealed. I really do not think it would be an issue though. To be safe, I would do the oral proficiency test any way just to be sure I get the points!!:cheeky:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Hello all,

I am a graduate from SacState's nursing program and I spent a few years helping with pre-nursing advising. I have been commenting on SacState posts for previous semesters in order to offer help with answering questions where I can. If any of you have questions I will do my best to help you in any way I can.

Good luck to you all!:yes:

Hi VintageSwagger,

I've seen you around in other threads! Well first of all, thank you for your help! I was wondering if you could tell us an estimate for the total cost of the nursing program. I would also like to know the housing situation; would it be cheaper to get an apartment around the area or to get a room at Sac state?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neonatal, NICU level IV.

Dannydgk,

Money:

Cost is +/- $16,000.00 over the 2 years. I will try to break down some of it for you in order to give you an idea of what you are looking at.

Tuition/Lab fees: 3300 per semester

Books: Depends on how you buy them (Buy, rent, electronic etc…)

Parking Fee: 170 per semester

Parking at hospital: Varies – some are free and some (UCDMC) 6$ per day per car

ATI fees: 100 per semester

Background check: 100 initial and 20 for renewal

Scrubs/Lab Coat: 300ish (2 sets of scrubs and 1 Lab coat)

Shoes/stethoscope/Supp: Varies: 200 – 300

Class Gift: Varies

Graduation: 63.50 to apply, 35 for cap/gown/tassel (more if buying honor cords)

Random stuff: Could be a lot... Eating out, Nursing sweatshirt, CNSA fees, therapy (JK, maybe)

I think that covers most everything and gives you a glimpse of what you need. I apologize if I missed anything. I will add it later if I think of it.

Housing: It really depends on what you want.

If it were up to me I would live in an apartment rather than on campus. I am not sure of the cost break down however, if you get an apartment with a roommate (preferably a nursing student in my opinion) off campus, you have more autonomy and I think Sacramento is better enjoyed off campus. Just my 2 cents.

Housing can be relatively expensive in certain pockets but there are also some great deals too. Start by looking at rentals around the area and when you have narrowed down areas you can afford, ask people on here what they recommend. How far you are willing to drive is important to consider as well.

Another option is University Village. It is an apartment community off campus but is still student housing. It is all CSUS students. Home - Student Housing - University Village Sacramento

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hey everyone! I'm applying for the fall as well, but San Diego State is my other top choice. I'm kinda nervous about messing up some part of the application, so far USPS has disappointed me on a few different occasions! My scores are:

GPA - 4.0

TEAS - 91.3%

Optional Criteria - 0

Total Score - 84

Up Vote Up Vote ×

VintageSwagger, how many hours a week do you recommend nursing students to work, if any at all? I hope to maintain a high GPA.

Thanks.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neonatal, NICU level IV.

Keen,

If you can manage, I would recommend not working at all. If you absolutely have to, I would try to keep it

Up Vote Up Vote ×

@VintageSwagger

thank you so much for the help. You are right. I should schedule an exam with the Foreign Department, just in case. :yes:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi, I was wondering if you could tell me some things about the BSN program at Sac. Like, what's the faculty like? What are the clinicals like- how many hours do you get, are the facilities that the clinical are done at any good? Also, do you get to choose which area you want to do your preceptorship in? Thank you for the help!!!!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hey VintageSwagger,

Fatrabbit asked a lot of the same questions I have, specifically about preceptorship. I couldn't find any info about preceptorships on the nursing website, what are those opportunities like? Also, how was landing a job after graduation, and do you have any tips in regards to that? Thank you!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neonatal, NICU level IV.

Sl_94 and fatrrabbit,

Wow… That is a lot to summarize.

Clinicals – Clinicals take place at facilities across the Sacramento area. UCDMC, Mercy, Sutter, Kaiser, VA, and various community and mental health hospitals. Each institution has its positive and negative attributes and each person views them through the filter of their own preferences. UCDMC for example is the only Teaching hospital and therefore has a different feel and flow. It also has newly remodeled units as well as some very old ones so depending on where you are, your experience will be different. That being said, I feel all of the hospitals are adequate to the task and you must choose to focus on the positive things they have to offer.

Your clinical day is usually 12 hours for med/surg, ICU, peds, and OB. Mental health is different. I think is was more like 8 hours per shift and some don't end until 10pm. You will also have care plans to prepare beforehand in certain sections and these take a long time to prepare. During your first clinical for example, you will go in on Monday @ noon and pick a patient”. You then collect the information you need and go home to prepare your care plan. The following day is your clinical day where you care for your chosen patient.

Preceptorship – You have to complete a 255 hour preceptorship in your 4th semester. As far as choosing which unit, it will probably change as you go through the program and are exposed to different things. Some people know what they want to do before they start school and others find their passion.

You choose” your top choices of unit/hospital/shift and one of the faculty places everyone as space is available. They try to get you what you want but sometimes it is not possible. For instance, I (along with others) wanted to be in the NICU and there was only one spot available my semester. The hospitals tell the school what they have and they just have to make due.

Faculty – I think the faculty is amazing and very knowledgeable. There are of course some you will like more than other and some lecture styles you may not like but, overall they are good. They expect a lot from you and it may seem harsh at times however, it is all to make you a better and safer nurse.

Job prospects: You all have to realize that it is VERY competitive. In sacramento alone there is graduating nurses from SacState, Sac city, Sierra, and Samuel Merrit. Not to mention those who went to CSUEB. Chico, Sonoma, and others that want to live and work in Sac. Those hundreds of new grads are going for +/- 50-100 jobs in the whole area.

As far as you getting one of those jobs…. Treat every clinical, especially your preceptorship, as an interview. Volunteer, serve on the CNSA board, get certifications, and/or do an internship. Anything you can do to stand out is something more than someone else.

Stay positive:nurse:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion