Anyone applying to 2008 UW MEPN Program?

rockett · Mar 3, 2010

Hello Everyone,

I realize this thread is a few years old, but I figured I would try to contact any of you who decided to attend the UW MEPN, now GEPN program. I was accepted to the 2010 GEPN cohort to start this June and just wondered what you've thought of your education thus far. Are you happy with your decision to attend UW and do you feel as though the program has thoroughly prepared you as both an RN and an NP? What would you do differently if you had to make the choice again?

I would really appreciate any feedback you can offer.

Also, Fibergirl, how are you enjoying Yale's program? Yale was a close second to UW, however, I have yet to see what each school will offer for financial aid so I suppose my decision could change.

Thank you!

TristanT · Mar 4, 2010

I am not a happy UW MEPN alum, and I can't think of anyone in my cohort who is particularly happy with the program... I do know quite a few unemployed MEPN grads (or MEPN grads who went back to their former occupations because the job market for nurses is so brutal).

The education isn't the problem per se. I've worked with nurses from many different schools and backgrounds and we all received the same basic nursing education. I remember when I went to the informational session about MEPN, they were straightforward about UW nursing students having to find their own way. And they weren't kidding. I'd say maybe two of my instructors were supportive, involved, or kind in any way and the rest were researchers who weren't thrilled with teaching or students. Seriously, I am talking about people who are on the autism spectrum in terms of people skills... So the tuition is simply outrageous* for the absolutely pathetic amount of support you receive--no academic advising or support, no career counseling and FORGET about any kind of post-grad employment tips or advice. Nobody hiring nurses gives a horse's heiny if you graduated from "the No. 1 nursing school in the country." In fact, I found that a degree from UW is sometimes intimidating to nurse recruiters in the Seattle area because they are mostly old-school ADNs (a.k.a. they resent any new grad nurse who hasn't paid dues as a CNA). In the end, it's all about your clinical experiences. And the clinical placements at UW suck (do not assume you will ever see the inside of the UW Med Center).

All of that said, I do know some happy BSN graduates from UW. They seem to have gotten much better clinical placements and the instructors didn't seem to resent them (yep, there's that too) because BSNs follow a more traditional academic track. If I had to do it again, I'd do a BSN program--probably elsewhere, because UW was such a disappointment. There are programs for 1/100th of the cost ...and then I'd work at a hospital where they offer tuition reimbursement to continue on. Or maybe Yale does direct-entry better... Sorry to be Debbie Downer about this. I do love being a nurse now ;-) Good luck!

*Financial aid in the MEPN program is nonexistent, except for loans, unless you are a member of an underserved population AND you are very motivated/savvy about financial aid.

rockett · Mar 22, 2010

Thank you TristanT! I really appreciate having your opinion of the program both the good and the bad. I agree doing the traditional BSN would probably have been a better idea, but at this point I just think I'm too far along in the process to turn back.

I'm soon approaching the deadline to decide between UW and Yale, however, I have yet to receive any financial aid information from UW, which they say won't be available until May. I'm curious if you could offer any insight into UW's financial aid offers. I know as you say it's mostly loans, but federal loans are always better than private. Do you know if for the GEPN portion most people received enough aid in loans (Stafford/Perkins) to at least cover their tuition, and did they consider your living expenses? Or do you think the majority of people had to take out a significant amount of private loans? Also was the GradPlus an option?

I'm trying to decide if I should make the deposit to Yale in case the offer from UW is as you say nonexistent. With either school I'll have to take out many loans, I'm just curious if they are comparable of if UW really doesn't even compensate for the huge tuition costs for the GEPN portion.

Thanks!!!!!!!!

TristanT · Mar 22, 2010

The GEPN program will cost well over $100K when you factor in living expenses--you will not be able to work at least the first year and a half, certainly not full time. You can get loans for all of it plus living expenses. I doubt you will receive any other kind of aid (I will cross my fingers for you though!). I did some kind of combination of private and subsidized loans. Honestly, the difference between federal and private loans is negligible--most people consolidate their loans at the end of the program. Expect the monthly payments to be equivalent to that of a payment for a nice, new SUV. That's what my monthly loan payment is at this point, and I only took out $35K in loans because I had other means of support. So I only borrowed about 1/3 of what was needed for tuition only... Does that make sense?

You realize that UW raised tuition for all graduate programs by about 30% in the last 2 years? I don't see this trend slowing down since WA state is broke, and higher education is low priority. Also keep in mind, most NPs--especially in family medicine--make less than hospital RNs. UW really plays up that after you become an RN, you can TA/RA and get your tuition covered. But they cut the TA/RA appointments to almost nothing recently. Plus GEPNs have little chance when they are up against RNs with experience who want the TA/RA jobs. UW also likes to talk about how after GEPN you can get a job where your loans are forgiven through the U.S. government. But I have never, ever known anyone who has managed to accomplish this. The placements I've seen are out in the middle of nowhere, and you have to get the job and THEN apply for the loan forgiveness program. *Maybe the forgiveness program will be better under Mr. Obama, but don't count on it.* New grad NPs have gotten stung when they move to the boonies hoping to get government loan forgiveness and were then turned down for loan forgiveness and stuck with a crap job, far from home. But at least they had a job...

Go to Yale. In the long run, even if it costs more up front, you'll have the school name recognition to get your foot in the door.

just_cause, BSN, RN · Mar 22, 2010

I'd like to comment that many 2nd degree students look at these indicators and choose to get a BSN or an ADN.. perhaps the progression is not as intuitive and has less 'prestige' but the costs and timeline of the MEPNs can be overwhelming. Depending on the specifics you might have a better opportunity to gain experience then attend a grad program in order to be competitive in the area of your interest.

Also after having the RN portion there are a lot of ARNP programs that are done either part-time, online or hybrid which could be more user friendly when / if you choose to attend school at a point in your career that might be more manageable or custom tailored to your needs. I've also seen different results on new NP's gaining jobs with minimal prior RN experience.. this of course varies by time, specialty and geographic area.

Both sides have valid points - either way as long as you are aware of what you are getting into the costs / risks / benefits can all get you to your own 'personal' goal based on your own priorities.... I chose BSN and have been quite happy with that. The MEPN grads and students I have met have all been stellar students and nurses - the variables of the local/national economy and state to school budget have thrown some wrenches into plans of many new grads and new students - keeping fingers crossed that it improves shortly.

aurora155 · Mar 23, 2010

I have yet to receive any financial aid information from UW, which they say won't be available until May.

rockett, I spoke to UW Financial Aid last week, and they said I would have my financial aid award letter by the end of this week (for GEPN). Maybe it won't happen so soon, but that's what I was told. They said it would appear online in MyUW. I anticipate any aid will be loans, but I am curious to see. I do know that the UW deposit to hold one's space in GEPN was the most expensive of any place I applied. I guess just one more way to get money in these times of the diminished state budget.

aurora155 · Mar 23, 2010

In the end, it's all about your clinical experiences. And the clinical placements at UW suck (do not assume you will ever see the inside of the UW Med Center).

TristanT, what are some examples of clinical placements for UW MEPN students? Why do you think so many were bad? Does the faculty have few contacts with clinical sites to set them up? Thanks.