University of San Francisco BSN program

Kayla2012 · Mar 3, 2012

Congrats! :) Did you just recently get an acceptance email/letter?

Kayla2012 · Mar 3, 2012

Oops, hit the post comment too soon. Anyways, a little more expensive? Haha, I think it's around 40,000 a year. And right now, I know a lot of people who've recently graduated as a RN but can't find a job. But hopefully it'll be better when we graduate USF is a good school, most people I know really like it. The classes are small and teachers are helpful. I've heard some complaints about core classes though, I believe those are classes not related to the nursing field but classes USF feels all students should take (literature, philosophy etc.) Some say it's just a waste of time, especially since the program is rigorous enough. Did you get accepted for fall 2012?

ssaarraahh · Mar 3, 2012

Congratulations on getting into the nursing program at USF. I just graduated from there (Dec 2011) and it is a wonderful nursing school. The teachers are very helpful and really try to help you understand the material. Keep in mind, nursing school is not easy. There is a lot of work in USF nursing school. Some weeks I got very overwhelmed and others I was fine. If you got accepted as a freshman, the program is 4 years long (8 semester) with the first year being your pre reqs for the program. As far as tuition goes, I paid about $15,000 each semester; that includes classes, books, scrubs, and other items you would need. The NCLEX pass rate for USF is about 88% (2010-2011) according to the BRN. I took the NCLEX 6 weeks after graduation and I passed the first time and so did many of my classmates.

Good luck at USF!

kha2 · Mar 4, 2012

Congrats Madenab! I am in my first transfer semester here and so far it's been great. The campus is amazing and the student teacher ratio allows us to learn much better. For a freshman, the program is designed so you take your prereqs, 2 nursing intro courses, and some general education your first year. You'll be heading into your clinical settings your sophomore year where classes are in set schedules. The only real downside of the school is if you plan on commuting (parking sucks) and the hefty price tag. But there are university grants and fasfa which should downsize a significant part of the tuition.

Sarah, congrats on graduating and passing the nclex! I was just wondering how the job hunt is going, especially in the bay area? I know it's definitely tough and competitive.

Madenab · Mar 4, 2012

Thanks you all for your advice and help I appreciate it!

Madenab · Mar 4, 2012

Kalyla- Yeah im accepted for fall 2012. Did you apply to the program at USF as well?

Sarah- congrats on passing the NCLEX! So as far as the difficulty, are you able to work during the program or go back and forth between visiting family? Or are you completely busy with the program for your last two years? And how were the NCLEX? USF has a great pass rate, so what did you think of them. Was it like heavy studying for 6 weeks?

Kha2- Congrats on transferring in! Good luck with the program! Yes the thing that definitely caught my eye with USF is the student teacher ratio. My sister might go to stanford so if i go to USF we might get an apartment in the middle. The commute will be about 30min I believe

ssaarraahh · Mar 5, 2012

Madenab- Thank you. I commuted from my house so I got to see my family every day. The only thing that I did not like about commuting is that it look me about 30 mins to get to USF so I would have to wake up at like 6 to get ready and be at class at 730 am. The other thing is parking. If you can afford it and get it, I would recommend getting a parking pass. I do not remember how much it cost but because nursing students are always up there so early (usually 0730-0800), you are pretty much guaranteered a parking spot. In the program, you are pretty busy with homework, prepping for clinicals, and studying, but you do have time to relax, spend time with family and friends, and yes work. I worked about 15 hours/week. Some weeks it was hard but you got to be able to manage your time. The NCLEX is hard and I feel that USF really prepped me for taking the NCLEX. Yes it was heavy studying (I studied about 5-7 hours/day for 6 weeks) because you are taking all those years in nursing school and putting it into one test.

Kha2- Job hunting in California for new grads is pretty hard right now. There are a couple people in my class that have jobs; one works at CHO and one works at St. Francis. Other students in my class have gotten jobs outside of California. As for me, I have been applying to all new grad programs in California and jobs that say "experience preferred" (instead of required).

Madenab · Mar 5, 2012

Okay thanks Sarah! Thats good to know that the program doesn't completely take over your life because i know of others that do. Plus i'll be living 6 hours away from my family so I'd want to go visit some weekends. Good luck with the job hunt!

ssurig0 · Jun 13, 2014

Hey Sarah! Just wondering, once in the program everyone is on the same set schedule right? Were classes 5 days a week? How long does the day usually last, class wise? I am planning on transferring but just need a better idea of how the days are going to be like so that I can figure out if commuting to USF would be reasonable or I should just move to SF and get a roomie or something! If u have any other advice, that would be awesome!

& Madenab, Congrats!! =D

Madenab · Jul 1, 2014

Hey ssurig0!

I just saw your comment and thought I'd reply since I just finished my 2nd year in the program at USF. Yes, everyone in the program is on the same set schedule. Your required nursing classes are pre-selected for you each semester. All you have to do is sign up for them. As far as nursing classes go, each class is only held once a week, and they range from 2-4 hours each. They are all either morning or afternoon classes so you're done by 4pm, the latest. However the schedule for core/general classes is different. You go multiple times a week and the times vary from morning to night classes. Depending on what core you choose to take, if you take any at all, that will change your schedule. Last year I lived 30 min from USF (by car) and I commuted. It wasn't too bad at all, except for parking...some days would be a headache! But as long as you give yourself enough time before class starts, you'll be able to find a spot. I even took BART some days which would take an hour. It took long, but I didn't have to deal with parking and I would just study on the way. Hope that helps! Let me know if you have anymore questions.