Trimester or Semester?
First off, I just want to say that this blog you’re about to read is geared towards future CSULB nursing students. You are probably told that there are very minor differences to each program, but let me disclose to you all the pros and cons of each. As you may already know, I graduated from the trimester program so you might be thinking “what do you know about the semester program?” I don’t know anything so that is why I collaborated with a semester student. I would like to thank Sammy for helping me provide insight from both programs. She graduated from the semester program but started off as a trimester student. I hope this blog post provides a lot of understanding, and perspective on both routes.
CSULB accepts about 80 students for the program, more or less. There are typically 30 spots for semester and 50 spots for trimester, depending on the availability of instructors and clinical sites. During your orientation, you are asked to choose between trimester or semester. Afterwards it is tallied up but if there are more students that pick semester instead of trimester, the students who picked semester will be put into a raffle and will be placed into the trimester program. The nursing program itself is 5 semesters long. The amount of semesters does not change whether you are in trimester or semester. Depending on which program you pick and when you start it is when you can see when you’ll graduate.
As a pre-nursing student I was told that the only difference between the two is that trimester students take summer classes and stay at Long Beach Memorial for clinicals throughout the program. On the other hand, semester students get to enjoy summer break and travel to different hospitals each semester. Although those are true, there is a huge discrepancy between the two that I feel like no one tells you and you won’t find that out until you're experiencing it yourself.
The Trimester Program
CSULB’s trimester program is considered to be accelerated because of summer classes, so you graduate sooner. It’s nice because you can just get the program over with, but the amount of work they put onto us is not explained at all. It’s mostly just the careplans that I’m talking about.
I really don’t want to scare you with careplans; more like hitting you with reality. Careplanning days are pretty intense in the trimester program. The LBM instructors expect the very best out of their students. Careplans are expected to be about 60 pages just for one patient. The biggest bulk of the careplans is the pathophysiology; instructors want you to go into cellular detail and explain how it ties into their co-morbities. You spend an entire day completing a careplan to care for a patient the next day just for a only few hours.
Instructors at LBM just have a higher expectation of their students. It’s good and bad. They create a very anxiety riddled environment at times because they question everything. They will take a look at your careplans and can even send you home if your careplan is not up to par. You’re constantly on your toes, but you are also learning something new everyday. It’s a tough love situation to help you become your very best.
Since you stay at Long Beach Memorial Hospital for clinicals, you get to know the charting system really well. LBM uses EPIC and so do a lot of other hospitals. According to Sammy, LBM allows more autonomy for the students since you get to learn the policies and procedures and encourages students to be involved to a certain extent.
Trimester cohorts are much more tight knit due to the rigor of clinicals. It creates a great bond between your classmates and especially since you’re all in summer classes together, you see each other all the time.
The Semester Program
The most obvious reason is that you get summer breaks, which means it takes longer to finish your program. It’s great to take breaks and unwind before going into a new semester. And you’re not shoving an entire semester in 6 weeks. Summer classes are intense and I kind of felt rushed trying to learn information and execute new skills. The semester program can be a great option for those that need the time off or for their schedule or responsibilities outside of school.
Careplans are not as intense. The workload is also very different between the two programs. I’m not saying that semester students don’t work as hard or are lower than the trimester program. No, not at all. For trimester students, their pathophysio section can be up to 30-40 pages. On the other hand, semester students will have about 10-20 pages for their pathophysio section. Certain instructors even put page limits on their careplans. Semester students are not lazy, they just have different expectations from their instructors. Instructors will still teach but they don’t drill you as much compared to LBM instructors. You get more sleep, and are actually able to enjoy clinicals in a healthier environment where you are not anxious all the time.
Traveling and learning from different hospitals can be a great thing for some students. You can learn different charting systems, see which hospitals you would like to work at, and provide you a lot of exposure to different connections. Learning different chart systems can benefit you when applying for jobs since you’re familiar with them. You would still go throughout training once you accept a position, but it’s nice to not be entirely new to something.
Different hospitals have different policies and procedures, especially for their students. You learn what you can and can’t do, and sometimes hospitals don’t allow students to be hands on compared to other hospitals. Per Sammy’s experience, a hospital she was at didn’t allow students to perform accuchecks for sugars. Performing sugar checks was one of the first things we learned at LBM and were encouraged to do it for every patient. Goes to show the difference for every hospital.
Semester cohorts can still be close but not as tight knit because you have that summer break.
Trimester and semester students take the same classes and have classes together but just take clinicals at different facilities. I do think there is some animosity between the students when you’re in class together. I was a victim of this but I was mostly jealous and upset that the trimester students were drowned in paperwork whereas semester students could actually learn instead of careplan during class. It’s not the semester students’ fault, it’s really the instructors at LBM. Sammy and I think it’s like an ego and pride thing, but it really shouldn’t be.
The workload for each program has a huge discrepancy and is not disclaimed at all when picking your route. The majority of students will be trimester because there are usually more spaces but I cannot say that I am a better nurse because I was trimester student. I was definitely placed under more stress. Sammy and I both agree that the workload trimester students are given is unfair since both programs get the same degree at the end. Regardless, both programs are great and produce amazing nurses.
Looking back at my journey. I wouldn’t change my route because it made me who I am. I am not a better nurse because I came from CSULB or was a trimester student. I am a great nurse because of how I studied and practiced during school. It’s a love-hate relationship when I have those difficult shifts, but rewarding when I connect with patients and family and know I made a difference during their stay. I am still learning and feel anxious before every shift, but it gets better. Feel empowered that you are becoming a nurse because it’s a great career.
It doesn’t matter which program you came from. Don’t let the opinion of others affect what you want your path to be. Whatever path you’re on, I know you are going to be amazing!
<3 Mags
thank you em!