Accepted to 2 programs - looking for input

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Hi,

I've been accepted to 2 programs (and still waiting a decision from UIC). Wayne State University and the University of Washington. WSU is a MSN (although I could start in the DNP program in the fall) and UW is a DNP program. Both are PMHNP. I would like to hear experiences anyone has had with either. I wanted a traditional in class program so that eliminated many online programs. Any insight would be appreciated. I'll be moving sometime this summer after I decide.

Thank you!

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Specializes in Mental Health.

U of Washington is a much better program with a great reputation. Go for the best program you get into, which in this case is U of Washington. I've never even heard of Wayne State. Would you really be willing to live in Detroit? lol. I wouldn't!

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Easy. UW.

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

In order of reputation it would be UW, UIC, then WSU.

In terms of environment Seattle and Chicago are better places to live than Detroit. All have nasty weather though, with Seattle probably better than the two.

In terms of clinical experiences, all are urban areas with enough mental health issues in the population that I'm pretty sure you will have a "colorful" and worthwhile learning experience. The cost of living is lowest in Detroit and I'm sure the tuition is the least as well?

In terms of degree preference, I would pick an MSN over a DNP just for the fact that you would get done sooner.

PS: I am a WSU graduate, you bastards! (lol). I didn't move out of state for school and I lived in the Detroit suburbs at the time. Don't ask me about their PMHNP program as I have no idea about it.

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Thank you Juan de la cruz.

WSU is surprisingly not the lowest in tuition. UIC is. If I attend UIC (won't hear back until mid April), my plan is to work FT school PT for a year to establish residency then continue FT with resident rates which are in the mid$400. WSU is 988 a credit hour (!) and they don't seem to have any scholarships/grants to speak of. They are the only of the 3 that offers a MSN. The other two are DNPs. I'm aware of UW's reputation and it is my understanding the rankings are based primarily on research and I have talked to a couple of students who are suggesting I think long and hard before moving there. The cost of living in Seattle is more than 300% higher than here (MN). I'm from Detroit and have done a lot of volunteer in the inner city, I see all the good things that are beginning to happen and want to be a part of it. UIC seems like it might be a good compromise for me. WSU seems to be well respected and the program is completely traditional (non online) which appeals to me. I'm planning on getting a MSN if I choose WSU for the reason you mentioned. I've thought about also getting my FNP after I'm done with this. Also - I just started my nursing career at age 50 and the idea of accumulating so much debt (none so far) makes me nauseated.

Another question - how much difference do you think it makes after I graduate what school I went to anyway? My BSN was from a school not on anyone's radar and I was hired at Mayo right out of school.

In order of reputation it would be UW, UIC, then WSU.

In terms of environment Seattle and Chicago are better places to live than Detroit. All have nasty weather though, with Seattle probably better than the two.

In terms of clinical experiences, all are urban areas with enough mental health issues in the population that I'm pretty sure you will have a "colorful" and worthwhile learning experience. The cost of living is lowest in Detroit and I'm sure the tuition is the least as well?

In terms of degree preference, I would pick an MSN over a DNP just for the fact that you would get done sooner.

PS: I am a WSU graduate, you bastards! (lol). I didn't move out of state for school and I lived in the Detroit suburbs at the time. Don't ask me about their PMHNP program as I have no idea about it.

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I agree with the others, UW, hands down. Beautiful school, lots of opportunities, Seattle is awesome... okay I am biased because I went to UW for my undergrad and I loved it. It's a great place! In terms of cost, Seattle doesn't seem that bad to me, but then again I'm really biased because now I live in SF so literally every other city in the country seems cheap to me. There's my not so helpful advice... haha.

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

Well SoberGirl, I guess I could speak to my experience at WSU.

I'm surprised at the cost of that tuition because I would not have attended there for that price. But then again, I was an in-state student and you may find it hard to believe that my entire program was only around $20-30K circa 2002. There are scholarships and grants at WSU, half of my tuition was paid for with a HRSA Advanced Nursing Education Traineeship grant through the school. I think the eligibility criteria for that HRSA grant has changed now but there were many privately funded grants in that school too.

Detroit is a rust belt city where the effects of years of economic downturn and corrupt politics are pronounced but there are pockets where change and urban renewal is happening. The area where WSU is located in is not that "ugly" and seems relatively safe in comparison to NY, Chicago, or SF but I also didn't live around the campus as I owned a house in the suburbs at the time.

I worked in Detroit as a nurse while attending WSU and would sometimes head to class after work in my scrubs as did many other students. Clinical sites and experiences were easily arranged by the school. They have a medical school and a network of inner city and suburban healthcare facilities including a VA site so you will have diverse settings to spend clinicals on and great preceptors.

The WSU name is not recognizable outside of Michigan, that's true for sure, as opposed to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, which incidentally doesn't have a PMHNP program suprisingly. I do work at a renowned institution in San Francisco now as an NP...but, my CV was strengthened by the fact that I do have the required ACNP certification and years of experience in a high acuity tertiary level adult intensive care unit as an NP when I moved out of the Detroit area.

Having said that, if you are about to embark on moving out of Minnesota to attend school with no definite plans on where in the US you will work after graduation and no pre-established networking relationships in terms of job prospects, it would probably be better if you go to a school that is more recognizable such as UW to give you that edge as an inexperienced new grad NP.

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Specializes in Ortho.

I would avoid Detroit at all costs.

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Do you plan on working while in school? Could you work at UW Medical Center or Harborview? Pretty sure they have some type of tuition waiver or generous discount/reimbursement. Salaries here are much better here than most places (not northern CA) anyway.

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Hi PNW_NPstudent,

I have applied to Harborview and the VA. Harborview has a tuition waiver of up to 6 credits that meet specific criteria. I talked to the school and it seems my NP classes won't be covered. As a nurse with a 1 year, 8 months experience, I make a little over $32/hr not counting shift diff. My current housing expense is $750 which includes utilities, etc. I don't know how much more (if any) I could expect to make in Seattle and for sure my housing will be much higher. I am flying out tomorrow to check it out. I was also accepted to UIC today. Thanks for your input.

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Well good luck in your endeavors. You can certainly live outside the city for that amount but it wouldnt be luxury. Also, not sure if you would make any more than you do now. Sounds about right for close to 2 yrs experience, though I have heard Harborview and UW are the lowest paying in the area. The nice thing about WA is you can check the nursing union contracts online and see what the payscale is.

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Hey. I'm curious as to what you decided. I'm considering Wayne State as we speak for PMHNP.

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