Any UCLA MECN students out there?

noa · Mar 23, 2007

There is so much to say and yet I am completely exhausted by the last quarter (just finished finals today).

It is a great program and the SON is completely committed to its success, but of course it has been a bumpy ride for us. The next class (yours?) will benefit from the mistakes made in ours. Already they have dropped the CNA requirement based on our input.

No clinical exp yet - that's coming next quarter.

I would say, if you want to be a great bedside nurse, go for UCLA. You will advance quickly, be capable of handling management positions. However, it is NOT an APN program. We are taught on a very high level, but in the end only sit for the NCLEX. There is no salary differential and upoin graduation will be at the same level as a ADN (community college) nurse. But we will be different. We have the same Pharm class as an APN and we have MHA type classes.

So, I'm rambling, of course, but bottom line: UCLA is a great school, it is TOUGH, you will be "just an RN", but you'll learn a lot

nurse2481 · Mar 23, 2007

I wrote you a blog on the other one you responded too...I was also wondering..where you live? Is it hard to commute or do you live in the grad housing? How much time do you have in between your finals you just took and when you classes start again? How long is winter break?

Thanks for you all of your help!

noa · Mar 27, 2007

I wrote you a blog on the other one you responded too...I was also wondering..where you live? Is it hard to commute or do you live in the grad housing? How much time do you have in between your finals you just took and when you classes start again? How long is winter break?
Thanks for you all of your help!

Hey there,

Sorry if I was confusing in the other post. What I mean by "bedside nurse" is that they are training us to be hospital-based nurses, at least initiall. However, we also have a research class, bussiness classes and higher level nursing classes. Theoretically, we could easily move into management and/or consultant roles. They are calling this new nurse a "Clinical Nurse Leader" (CNL), though it seems strange to many of us that we would graduate and already be leaders. My thought is that will happen after a year or so. A rep from Cedars spoke with us last quarter and she anticipated that we would move through the ranks rapidly.

As per your other questions:

I have parking on campus. I think that everyone that applied got a permit. You can also get a daily pass for $8/day which sounds like a lot but may be cheaper if you don't plan on being on campus on non-school days (in the Fall you only have classes Thurs & Fri)

Breaks: we finished Thursday & start back Monday, April, 2 - a bit more than a week. We had a month for the winter break.

Whatever you decide, good luck. I hope my response was helpful.

And yes, I'd do it again.

RedHead85 · Mar 30, 2007

Anybody willing to share how this program is going?? It seems perfect for me in terms of location, cost, time etc. But I'm confused...do you get your BSN and MSN? And how is it only two years? It seems kinda scary with the short time period to get a MSN. I know these programs are intense but if anybody's willing to share how they are handling it that would be great.

noa · Mar 31, 2007

Anybody willing to share how this program is going?? It seems perfect for me in terms of location, cost, time etc. But I'm confused...do you get your BSN and MSN? And how is it only two years? It seems kinda scary with the short time period to get a MSN. I know these programs are intense but if anybody's willing to share how they are handling it that would be great.

You get an MSN. It is an accelerated program and the work load is heavy. The last quarter was tough - I heard a rumor that it is the toughest quarter, but we have a pretty heavy load next quarter. The program is 7 quarters which means you will be in class over the summer.

It has been challenging for me, but so far I'm doing well. I also have outside responsibilities which makes it harder to juggle everything. If you have relatively few responsibilities outside the program, it is definitely manageable. Be prepared to work hard.

sourpunchita · May 16, 2007

I too am a current MECN student. I have a different take on the program than Noa. I do not think it is challenging. I juggle things alrite. I study, but it doesnt consume my every waking minute. The reason why I don't think it is challenging is bc they do not teach you a thing. The workload isn't all that bad. Papers every so often... some readings. That's nothing! Even in undergrad we would go thru more than that. If you're set in going to this program, don't worry, its not hard.

In a nutshell, if you have options, then I would consider those other options. In the end, you will come out of this program as "just an RN." And yes, I do mean, "just an RN--without the greatness" You will not be fulfilling a highly regarded/respected new role--and don't let the school of nursing/future classmates try to convince you otherwise, bc trust me, they will try!!! This MECN thing is no better than any other program/role. Some people just need to make themselves out to be hotshots!

Let's face it, despite our desire for caring for others (some more than others), we all came into the field to make $$. You will come out of this program as a regular nurse!!! Paid a regular wage!!! You will not be more knowledgeable just bc of some econ/research/business classes. More likely than not, you will not have learned a thing from these classes--just poll the current MECN students. So in the end, it's a lot of hot air that gets blown around.

RedHead85 · May 16, 2007

"just an RN--without the greatness"

I think being an RN would be great enough in itself, but that's just me. Thank you for the input, it's good to hear real-life opinions of people in the program. You do recieve an MSN though, which is a huge step in itself right? For someone like me who wants to become an NP i think it's good because you get a MSN and then get a chance to practice while being an RN for a few years. The I would do a post-master's NP program. If I get into to a direct-entry program that gives me an NP, I will probably choose that, but this program seems like a good alternative in case that doesn't happen.

nurse2481 · May 17, 2007

Wow, it sort of sounds like you are pretty pesimistic about the program and I am wondering on a deeper level where that is coming from. Are you not happy with the program? You said you dont think its hard because "they do not teach you a thing." Why arent they teaching you anything? Also, you said you dont come out any better than anyone else...But we will have our masters. Obviously we have to start out as an RN like everyone else because we dont have the prior experience but after we have experience coupled with our masters we can then specialize in something and advance to a nurse practioner where as people with just a BA or AA have to do a full masters program. So we are gaining something from this program right? Why would you suggest looking at other options? What are you unhappy with? I know they have accelerated nurse practioner programs as well for people from another field like us and you actually come out as an NP but with those you have to choose your speciality going in, and personally I am not sure exactly what I would like to specialize in yet and I am in no rush in my life. Most of us coming from another field aslo probably are not sure exactly what we want to dive into yet. Our opionions could change after our rotations. Personally, I am young and I would rather have experience in the field to make sure what it is exactly I would want to go back and specialize in...Anyway, I think no matter what school you go to, these masters entry programs are so great to give people the opportunity to change careers. I am wondering if you dont like the the idea of a masters entry program in general or you specifically dont like UCLA's program.

I also am wondering if you even really like nursing in general. I was shocked you said "lets face it, ...........we are all in it for the money" I dont care about the money at all. I would still want to do this even if the pay was low. I really have a passion to touch others lives and I hope that is what we are all here for. Dont you think that learning how to do help others coupled with extra classes in research and business are helpful? Why do you think no one is learning anything?

I am really interested in getting your opionion on this more in depth so please let me know!

Thanks for a different view on things.

sourpunchita · May 25, 2007

The reason I am not optimistic about this program is that I am able to compare this program to other programs that some of my friends are at...and I can see the difference. While they are learning about pathophysiology and clinical presentations of disorders, I learn about how to become a nursing issue advocate. Although this may be ok for a while, I feel I am not being taught what I need to succeed. I have nothing against accelerated programs. I concur, they offer great opportunities for many of us. This is solely stemming from my comparisons of course curriculum across different programs.

In response to your post about me not having a passion for nursing, we are obviously coming from different perspectives--with different priorities. I have a family to support and my priority is to financially provide for them. Perhaps if I was younger it may be okay for me to take any job w/o considering salary.

The reason I am in nursing is bc the pay is good. I dont need nursing as a venue to touch lives. Instilling values in my children and taking care of my family are more than sufficient for me to be fulfilled in life. That is all I really care about.

I hope u dont have a euphoric concept about nursing. It is about touching lives to some degree, but you cant provide objective care if that is what u are most concerned about. perhaps the business classes will do you good than it has for me. Being a realist at heart, I knew that nursing is a business. There is no such thing as the art of nursing in a Medicaid world.

hatingthewaiting · Dec 24, 2007

when you say the same as an ADN, do you mean even with a masters degree you are not at the same level as a BSN?

so would it be better to get an accelerated BSN?