Any UCSF Mepn Applicants?

southbayLCSW · Nov 15, 2008

Thank you star77. I am still hoping to take it at the community college where I'm taking anatomy. This has been a rigorous class that I'm pretty sure is preparing me well. The temptation of an online course is all about fitting it in around my FT work schedule and being home more with my family. But it's also $600 more that I'd rather not spend...

travelingman · Nov 15, 2008

My impression is that UCSF doesn't really care much at all where/how you take your prereqs. They are just checking off boxes on the BRN requirements, and several people went through the interview process and were accepted without all of their prereqs completed. I took some of them online and did not take a lab for physio - nobody seemed to care. The attitude appears to be that you need to take the classes to have the background to succeed in the program, but that the school isn't really interested in how you accomplish the classes. I've heard of a couple of people this year that are actually still finishing the pre-reqs, so I wouldn't stress to much.

As has been noted by others, the program really seems most focused on who you are as a person, what you bring from your background and if you are a right fit for the overall MEPN class. I had no previous patient care experience prior to applying and was still able to get into the ACNP program on the first pass. If it's the right place for you at the right time in your life, it'll probably work out, if not, it's probably best that it doesn't work out. While the program has many administrative nightmares going on, I have to commend it on putting together a cohort of exceptional people that seem to complement each others backgrounds and experiences.

Good luck getting in and I'll be happy to post some interview thoughts to go along with Stars when things get a little closer.

golucy · Nov 20, 2008

I am a current 1st year MEPN. Prerequisites can be online classes. I know because two of my classes were online. Also, labs are not required. Anatomy online was a nightmare but I got through it. I don't recommend it as it is a massive amount of material and very difficult without a lab.

golucy · Nov 20, 2008

I am a 1st year MEPN. I had terrible weak scores and do not speak Spanish. I did not go to a competitive college or university (one of the few). I did do very well in graduate school and had 15 years experience in my speciality area (pediatrics). I didn't think my faculty interview went well at all. I got in the first try. The program is of course very competitive but try not to get too stressed out (easier said than done). The one thing they will be focusing on in the interview is the question of "Why nursing?" and what experiences have influenced your decision to enter nursing. Be well prepared to answer that question. Also, look up the stated mission or goals of the UCSF Nursing School.

Each and every student is incredible in their own right. Truly an amazing group of people. If you are applying to other programs, I strongly urge you to look closely at them before accepting at UCSF. The program does have it's issues. In my opinion (and not a few of my fellow students), the program is expensive and overrated. Nursing faculty is understaffed, specialty areas underfunded and There is a shortage of clinical instructors and also of clinical sites. Of course there is also the bureaucracy... Don't get me wrong, UCSF is very diverse and has very innovative programs, but the 1st year of MEPN is not as academic challenging as it's reputation would have you believe. I have been told that the Master's is very good.

JudeyRooney81 · Nov 24, 2008

Less than a month away and we find out about interviews!

WannabePNP · Nov 25, 2008

Hi All,

Does anyone know whether interview notifications come via email or regular US mail? I ask because I'm going to be away starting on Dec. 23rd and I've read in previous threads that interview notification tends to come around Christmas time.

Also, still no word from UCSF on the completeness status of my app... so, at this point I'm truly hoping (as some here have stated) that no news is good news!! Although I do realize they receive a high volume of apps, so do many of the other graduate entry programs. The other 2 to which I have applied (Yale and Columbia) have been more than easy to contact and in both cases have confirmed that my app is complete. I just can't understand why UCSF is so hard to contact... both times I've tried calling, they've been short with me on the phone and haven't been able to offer any info on whether my app. is indeed complete. In my opinion, it's the least they could do after all that applicants go through to get materials in prior to the deadline.

Anyway, just venting. Good luck, everyone!! :nuke:

ahn77 · Nov 26, 2008

hey y'all,

i too am applying to the anp program at uc. when i finished my application and turned it in i had no idea that i'd be as interested in the outcome as i am. what will happen will happen, right? silly me. i've recently been finding myself standing in front of a calendar checking out just how many weeks/days there are left before the interview notices are sent. my wife has recently implemented a five minute per day time limit for my discussion of plan b's and what ifs. i've promised her that the next four days will be mepn free. oh the holy holiday that is thanksgiving. hope you all have a good one.

JudeyRooney81 · Nov 27, 2008

Hey everyone, forgive me for not being very savvy at posting! My fiancee and family have also instated a no MEPN discussion policy, luckily my cats haven't complained. They are all I have left to hyperbolize to! Luckily I will be able to find out soon. I guess only a couple of weeks now, right?? Eek. Ahn77, what did you apply to?

czyja, MSN, RN · Nov 27, 2008

I am a current MEPN still trolling about this forum...

Waiting for the letter really messed up my holidays last year! Don't worry, the letter will come.

They may have changed the rules but for us they did not give a rats patoot about where did our A&P, lab or not, online or in the flesh. I would however suggest taking the hardest physiology course you can find, and paying close attention to it. Anatomy is marginally useful but physio it critical. The first quarter patho class is a butt-kicker par excelence.

Oh, the other posters are correct. When interview day roll around make sure to have an honest but clear answer about why you want to be nurse and what you have done to date to prepare you for a nursing career.

I love the program and my class - I feel like I have made several life-long friends over the past few months.

Good luck!

JudeyRooney81 · Dec 1, 2008

Hey I have a question for current MEPN'ers or anyone else who might be able to shed some light. I was wondering if you knew of anyone in the program that has a physical limitation/disability? Or how the program feels about admitting students with physical impairments? I know on the application it stated that it appreciated diverse student applicants, I am just wondering if a person had a physical limitation that was well managed and it is very likely that the limitation would not interfere with their ability to successfully complete the program, and is no way a risk to other students/patients, if they should divulge this information in an interview or keep it to themselves?

Sorry to be so vague...

Thoughts from everyone are greatly appreciated.

czyja, MSN, RN · Dec 1, 2008

Hey I have a question for current MEPN'ers or anyone else who might be able to shed some light. I was wondering if you knew of anyone in the program that has a physical limitation/disability? Or how the program feels about admitting students with physical impairments?

Frankly I don't know of any current students with physical limitations - that does not mean there aren't any, just that I am not aware of any.

I am not certain, but I think the program requires that participants meet certain physical criteria. You may want to talk to them at some point before starting class. If your disability can be reasonably accommodated I doubt they would care very much about it.

golucy · Dec 1, 2008

It seems to me that as long as you can meet the physical requirements of the program, your disability would not be an issue. I can say this though, there are students current and past who have chronic medical conditions or have had serious illness in the past. UCSF always wants know what brought you to nursing and many people who enter have had personal experience with illness, whether it be themselves, a family member or a friend. The school truly wants a diverse group of students with a wide range of life experience.