New entry-level Masters program at U of A!!

U.S.A. Arizona

Published

Hi all,

In the last week, U of AZ has posted a change to their programs. They have dropped their 2nd degree BSN and have added a mepn program (master's entry to the profession of nursing (mepn) pathway). This is available to those who already have a non-nursing bachelor's degree.

check out the link for more info:

Page not found | UA College of Nursing

I called to get more info. They said tuition would probably run between 35-45k(depends on residency status). They will start having info sessions on the new program starting at the end of this month.

:yeah:

-c

I heard the same thing, that all NPs have to have DNP by 2013. UA told our class that you had to have at least 2080 hours of RN experience to even apply for the DNP program. And then, at the graduation ceremony, they announced that one student in our class had been admitted to start her DNP that same month! She had NO medical experience at all other than clinicals and she had a 2 year contract. So I have no idea how that happened. That's just another reason for me to be weary of the UA. UA cancelled their MSN in 2008 and started the DNP in place of before this new program they are advertising. I know NAU, ASU, University of Phoenix have MSN programs. I don't know any DNP graduates and any NPs that work at my facility have a MSN. Who knows where it will go.

I did not pick where I wanted to work either hospital or floor. Some people got their hospital of choice. The one thing that I did get was a dayshift, which I lucked out getting. Mostly the hospital places new grads where they need them which is mainly nights, med/surg. You kinda have to already have an in to get on say at L&D or ED, ICU or such.

I can only add that I graduated from UofA's accelerated BSN program in 2010, and would NOT recommend the UofA College of Nursing for ANYTHING. The discouraging instructor pool is a rotating turnstyle (average stay: 2 years), the new dean governs in absentia, the overall education and program environment depressing and lacking in substance.

The new Master's Entry program was kept under quiet wraps until its public announcement.

Look, folks, in terms of the classroom education, it's little more than the BSN curriculum for a steep price increase. Just add a couple of fluff courses to make it look like more value from the outside looking in.

I guarantee you that UoA has not thought through what they will be offering, other than some new initials to your RN license. Off record, a couple of instructors shook their head about the whole Master's Entry level. They said it was a good thing for nurses to have MS degrees, but they wouldn't comment on how it was better than the 'old fashioned" BSN that is also offered. Maybe a research paper or..the keyword, "capstone project." But at the end of the day, it's the same mediocrity that UofA produces...it's just has a new candy wrapper: "New and Improved."

Buyer beware.

Hey Giardiafan I remember your posts when you going to apply! Do you have a job? I know a couple of the 2010 folks that did their last clinical on my floor still did know if they had a job or not and said the hospital wouldn't even talk to them until they pasted the NCLEX.

I was very disappointed in the program also. I worked so hard to get in, applying 2 years in a row and it was crap. And for all the crap that it was, we all should get this "master's" just for putting up with it!

good luck with your first year!

Hey desertflower,

Yes, I received my assigned floor position about a month ago, and start in a couple of weeks.

However, about 1/3 of the class stil does not have permanent assigned positions, as they are still in limbo or in float pools. How strange to be "guaranteed" a job, but not have a position. That's one more risk of the Accelerated/2nd degree program. Promises mean little in the new world economy. You are just a vocational commodity, so don't expect to be treated too well....

I am glad to put the UofA nursing experience behind me, and go to work.

Of course, we both know that the real learning takes place while working the floor, and NOT at UoA!!

Specializes in ICU, School Nurse, Med/Surg, Psych.

The only bonus that i see is that you could do a post-master's certification program for your APRN. There are few schools still providing these programs [u of IA just stopped, Rush in Chicago is discussing, U of Pheonix still has it for now.]

Hey desertflower,

Yes, I received my assigned floor position about a month ago, and start in a couple of weeks.

However, about 1/3 of the class stil does not have permanent assigned positions, as they are still in limbo or in float pools. How strange to be "guaranteed" a job, but not have a position. That's one more risk of the Accelerated/2nd degree program. Promises mean little in the new world economy. You are just a vocational commodity, so don't expect to be treated too well....

I am glad to put the UofA nursing experience behind me, and go to work.

Of course, we both know that the real learning takes place while working the floor, and NOT at UoA!!

The people that don't yet have their positions, are they the ones that signed up with the hospital- Carondelet ? The one thing that i've read about the program that i like is that they make sure everyone makes it to the end for graduation. Is that how it usually is ? In the community college where i live, many students never make it to the end and that's a big concern of mine.

Due to financial constraints, Carondelet withdrew fully from the program in 2009. Their last class in 2009 of 20ish sponsored students received a waiver from their contractual obligations.

The current sponsors are UMC, TMC, and NW. Let's just say that placements at all three were uneven.

As far as graduating, you will receive little support from instructors outside of class, and zero support from the admin altogether. It's a sink or swim approach. The accelerated/2nd degree student tends to be older, intelligent, motivated, and self-supporting. The UofA college of nursing maintains a 70% minimum performance through all classes. In 2008, there were 3 in a class of @90 that dropped out. Those 3 were allowed to repeat the course a year later without penalty. But they lost a year. In 2009, 1 dropped out due to medical reasons and returned a year later. Graduation was motivated because nobody wanted to pay back the $28k required in the contract. Still, a large number of students expressed displeasure with the quality and direction of the program, and said they would have just quit if they didn't have to pay back the money to their sponsor. Once you start the program as either a self pay or sponsored, you're on the hook for the entire bill. It's not worth it.

Also, sponsored students are now required to pay TAXES on the $28k contract. So you now have to pay $9-10k on a "tuition" free program. Some of the hospital sponsors don't tell you this upfront. It's very, very bad, unethical behavior, and the hospitals are burning their bridges at every possible turn. Many sponsored students will do their minimum time and move on to better places. Some are consulting lawyers, and you know where that goes....

Yes, and I'm one of the many consulting a lawyer over this tax issue. When it is advertised as "free tuition" and you receive a letter stating you owe taxes less than 2 months before you complete your contract, it burns you bad. NOTHING was said to us about this before school, during school or when we started at our hospital.

6 more shifts to go...then DONE! expect for taxes....*****!?

Is there anyone who will be applying to this program for next year ?

Is there anyone who will be applying to this program for next year ?

I am hoping to for Summer 2011, that is, if they ever finish updating the graduate colleges application.

I am hoping to for Summer 2011, that is, if they ever finish updating the graduate colleges application.

Hi Jacoba, Do you live in Tucson AZ or will you be relocating ? I am still not sure if i will be applying or going the regular community college route which may take a while. The problem is i live in Reno NV and have a family so i'm not sure if it would be feasible to move. I am considering this option since its a graduate level program and i dont qualify for students loans for undergrad degrees. I've head negative things but also some positive. Do you plan on doing the self pay option or the sponsored route ?

Hi Jacoba, Do you live in Tucson AZ or will you be relocating ? I am still not sure if i will be applying or going the regular community college route which may take a while. The problem is i live in Reno NV and have a family so i'm not sure if it would be feasible to move. I am considering this option since its a graduate level program and i dont qualify for students loans for undergrad degrees. I've head negative things but also some positive. Do you plan on doing the self pay option or the sponsored route ?

I actually relocated a few years ago for the purpose of applying to the ASBN program with the hospital sponsorship. However, after living here for awhile, I want to go back home as soon as I have finished - I am a long ways away from friends and family.

I have looked into my options and I find that even though the program now costs more, it is still competively priced with other MEPN's and is still a short program. I have talked with a new graduate of the old program and they don't have anything negative to say about the nursing school. U of A is overall a good school attached to a good hospital.

It may be worth it to note for you that Idaho State has an accelerated program in Boise as does U of Utah in SLC, which wouldn't be as a dramatic of a move.

I'd be interested in what you decide to do. I'm kind of putting all my eggs in one basket for this school, so I am terrified of the whole process right now.

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