MEPN vs ABSN

[MonkeyL]

Hi everyone! I'm hoping to get some advice and opinions! I recently got accepted to the ABSN program at Samuel Merritt University (SMU) and the new MEPN program at UC Davis. I have read positive and negative reviews of both programs. My main concern is understanding the difference between receiving a MEPN vs. ABSN and how that will impact my resume down the road. I tried to talk to someone at Davis about these, but was told there are no advisors or counselors available to answer general questions about the MEPN program. Here are some questions and concerns I have, if anyone can answer these that would be great:

1) If I was to go to UCD, will I be receiving a BA in nursing during the first half of school and later choosing a specified field, such as NP?

2) Would graduating in the inaugural class at Davis make it more difficult to find a job rather than graduating from SMU because they are well known?

3) After completing Davis would I have to go back to get another masters to become a NP?

4) What is the job category difference between the two degrees after completion?

Any insight or advice is appreciated!!! Even if it's not about something I asked. Thank you in advance for any help! Good luck to everyone!

[Mossback]

The MEPN program at UCD hasn't launched yet, but I'm a graduate of the MS program at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UCD and have taught at SMU, so I think I can provide a little perspective.

1) MEPN stands for Masters Entry Program in Nursing. It is designed for students with a bachelor's degree in another field. No bachelor's degree in nursing will be granted. Instead, students will graduate with an MSN. As I understand it, the program will not provide a direct pathway to an NP, CRNA, or other advanced nursing specialty.

2) SMU provides students with a very good education, albeit at a high cost. However, the Betty Irene Moore School is already recognized by US News and World Report as one of the nation's best graduate schools of nursing. The MSN degree will be granted by UC Davis, which has a sterling academic reputation. I cannot imagine that having an MSN from UC Davis would in any way serve as a bar to employment.

3) If you want to become a nurse practitioner, you will need to go through an additional master's level program. One such program is currently offered at Betty Irene Moore. Before pursuing NP studies, I strongly urge you to first work for a few years as an inpatient nurse at a large hospital. In my opinion, the best NPs come from a solid background in patient care.

4) For most hospitals, there is no difference in starting job category or salary between candidates with a BSN or MSN, although some employers prefer candidates with the higher degree. An MSN will prepare you to work as a registered nurse and will set the stage for a later move up to a leadership or teaching position. It takes a couple of years to start functioning at a journeyman level as an inpatient RN. Don't expect to move up before then.

Hope this helps.