Who is going to CSU- San Marcos BSN program FALL 2009

AKEEM · Jul 3, 2009

Yes I'm going to the nursing programs this fall

Snwbdr · Jul 4, 2009

Congratulations and welcome to both of you. I'm in Cohort 4 and on the SNA board (you'll learn about that at orientation) so if you have any questions, feel free to ask.

AKEEM · Jul 9, 2009

How is the overall program in SMSU? Is it hard? intense?.....

Snwbdr · Jul 9, 2009

How is the overall program in SMSU? Is it hard? intense?.....

it's Cal State San Marcos, not San Marcos State....sounds retarded but it actually makes a difference...in San Diego "state" refers to San Diego State University....just wanna keep our identities separate....as for the program? At first it seems overwhelming....especially in the first semester...be prepared to be assigned 10-12 chapters of reading a week.....also the first exam might be a bit of a shock....Tests in nursing school are different than the pre-req's....Nursing involves more critical thinking and the questions are designed to make you think. Intense? well that depends on your individual response to stress....some people handle it well, others break down.....you'll get used to it.

AKEEM · Jul 10, 2009

thank you so much for answer

Snwbdr · Jul 10, 2009

no problem...feel free to ask anything.....otherwise see ya in the fall

elacer08 · Jul 10, 2009

If you don't mind me asking how good does your gpa need to be along with TEAS testing to get in?

Snwbdr · Jul 11, 2009

If you don't mind me asking how good does your gpa need to be along with TEAS testing to get in?

it's not based totally on grades & TEAS, though they're a big chunk of the points....I had a 3.7 overall, 3.8 in the core subjects, and a 92% on the TEAS.....add those points up with residency and I made the program in the lower positions.....I didn't have work or volunteer experience, or the foreign language points either.

If you're working on your points right now, my best advice is to get the foreign language points...it's 10 for spanish, and 5 for anything else, by far the easiest points u can earn (other than the 8 for residency).....The TEAS was easy IMO but I understand that some people don't test well.

I think the lowest someone got on the TEAS in my cohort was in the low 80's....our GPA's were all over the map so no comment on those.

coffeecat · Jul 13, 2009

I am also starting at CSUSM in Fall 2009. Snowboarder, can you please give me a little more info on the SNA? I looked at the flyer and I'm not sure I would utilize it. Nursing school is so expensive already...can you maybe give me a little more info on how the SNA functions in the life of a nursing student? I mean outside of discounts to members on the books listed in the flyer, the magazine they publish, and looking good on your resume? Do they have meetings, etc.?

Thank you so much!

Snwbdr · Jul 13, 2009

The SNA chapter is very active in the college community helping raise our profile. We organize community projects, offer health advice to the college newspaper, and help new students adjust to the rigors of nursing school. There's a mentorship program in place that matches an incoming student with an upperclassmen. My position on the board is to organize activities outside of school so that you can get together with the other nursing students in the SON that you might not otherwise get a chance to interact with. Is it worth the investment? that's up to the individual person. I haven't used the discounts for anything yet, but I feel like it could be something that sets me apart from the rest of the pack. I've heard of SNA students being picked over non-SNA students for extern positions (with everything else being equal; grades, etc) so it might prove to be useful. It's as useful as you make it.

Once you start classes, your cohort will have to pick a representative and treasurer who will be your link between the board and your cohort. Anyone is welcome to attend the meetings, but u must be a member to serve on the board. Hope this helps...

coffeecat · Jul 13, 2009

Thank you so much, that does help!