UA MEPN 2018

araew2129, ADN · Jun 16, 2017

Great stats! I was planning to apply but decided to take it a little slower on my prerequisites so I can can ensure I do well in the courses, but more importantly make sure I really understand all of the material. Good luck to all the 2018 applicants!

futureepinurse · Jun 17, 2017

It's definitely important to make sure you understand Physiology! It will definitely help you in the long run with patho. I've heard the other courses like micro and nutrition aren't as necessary to remember everything.

FNKA · Jun 20, 2017

Your GPA's are great, you'll definitely get in as long as you do decent on the HESI and the interview. I'd like to say that you can likely get into any nursing school with those stats and I'd recommend a different program than the one at the UofA for various reasons.

araew2129, ADN · Jun 20, 2017

Your GPA's are great, you'll definitely get in as long as you do decent on the HESI and the interview. I'd like to say that you can likely get into any nursing school with those stats and I'd recommend a different program than the one at the UofA for various reasons.

I'd be interested in knowing the reasons. If you don't feel comfortable posting here, can PM me?

futureepinurse · Jun 20, 2017

I've heard about people mentioning a lot of problems with the MEPN and noticed numerous current and past students heading major warnings with the way the program is run in previous allnurses posts, especially compared to the BSN program. At the same time I have personally heard from other students who have enjoyed their experiences, but most of them attended Arizona as undergrads so perhaps they just have a special affinity for the school as a whole?

futureepinurse · Jun 20, 2017

Your GPA's are great, you'll definitely get in as long as you do decent on the HESI and the interview. I'd like to say that you can likely get into any nursing school with those stats and I'd recommend a different program than the one at the UofA for various reasons.

I saw you previously posted on the 2017 applicants' thread and didn't have any qualms about the program then. Did something change in the third or fourth level for you/the cohort?

Ladybug51 · Jul 16, 2017

I'm in my first semester of the MEPN program. FNKA might have some information I don't, considering they are level four, but it's not as bad as a lot of the commenters on previous threads have made it out to be. Yes, there are some issues in the program, but I'm fairly certain that every program has some issues. It seems like nursing school is just a beast everywhere. My main issues are the cost and the degree. I'd say unless you're set on Tucson or Phoenix, think about finding a cheaper ABSN. There's a lot of confusion about the degree, but MEPN is basically just like a bachelor's. In the end, you will get your RN license and it's not going to give you a significant advantage when entering into a DNP.

futureepinurse · Jul 17, 2017

I'm in my first semester of the MEPN program. FNKA might have some information I don't, considering they are level four, but it's not as bad as a lot of the commenters on previous threads have made it out to be. Yes, there are some issues in the program, but I'm fairly certain that every program has some issues. It seems like nursing school is just a beast everywhere. My main issues are the cost and the degree. I'd say unless you're set on Tucson or Phoenix, think about finding a cheaper ABSN. There's a lot of confusion about the degree, but MEPN is basically just like a bachelor's. In the end, you will get your RN license and it's not going to give you a significant advantage when entering into a DNP.

Thanks for the info! That's the consensus I've come to when it comes to MEPN. I know some people really push the '"masters" aspect but since it doesn't give you the ability to sit for a CNL certification or Public Health certification and only has a few more units than some ABSN programs I have seen, I wasn't sure what advantages it really holds. Unfortunately my residency status is a bit up in the air due to moving around for subsequent school after undergrad so I have to pay out of state anywhere I go. For that reason, I don't really have any cheap options! In fact, some private institutions in the Midwest are actually cheaper than what I would pay out of state on the west coast. Super crazy, right? I appreciate your input. I like that ASU starts and ends sooner,but I like that I would be able to work during the MEPN program since classes/clinicals aren't held Monday-Friday ALL day like at ASU. I think it's more like 2-3 days of class and then one day of clinicals, right?

Ladybug51 · Jul 17, 2017

During front loading, which is the first few weeks of the semester, there is class Monday-Friday, all day. After that, it's class on Monday and sometimes Tuesday and then clinical two days per week. In the fourth semester, it ramps up to three days per week. Most people don't work, but it's doable. The ones that do tend to pick up shifts where they can.

az827 · Aug 6, 2017

Hi!

I am a current student. I will be starting level 2 in August. Your stats are great. You will likely get in with those stats. I have worked every single weekend since the program started (every single sat/sun, 10 hour shifts). I may not continue to do that as I do not know how the schedule and course work will pan out later in the program. However, since the start and through the competition of level 1, working has been totally manageable. There are several of us that hold PRN jobs and pick up shifts but I might be the only one consecutively working. It's doable for me and I will continue to work until it's not. If you are hard working and have excellent time-management skills, it will be doable for you too!

I think this program is great. I would recommend it. Also, if you graduate with a 3.5 you will have an automatic acceptance into the DNP without having to go through the application process (as per one of my instructors- although she recommended working a few years and then coming back for the DNP). That's always a perk! In fact, several past graduates began the DNP in August immediately after MEPN graduation. So, it is not uncommon. Also, the program really prepares you for your future. I am amazed at how quickly I am learning and growing in this field.

As far as the program not being different than a BSN, I would slightly disagree. Education requirements are not getting lower and you will be more competitive with a MS degree. There will also be more opportunities in management roles. Currently, a UA MEPN grad is the infection control advisor for a medical center in NW Tucson. Another graduated and became the director of a luxury long-term care facility. These are titles that typically prefer that you have a MS degree. So, there are advantages to the MEPN degree. You will just have to know how to 'sale' your strengths in an interview.

Don't worry about the interview process to the program. It was much less stressful than I thought it would be. Come prepared and be yourself. Check under UA MEPN 2017. I posted about the interview process in that thread.

Good luck in choosing a program!

futureepinurse · Aug 21, 2017

Hi!
I am a current student. I will be starting level 2 in August. Your stats are great. You will likely get in with those stats. I have worked every single weekend since the program started (every single sat/sun, 10 hour shifts). I may not continue to do that as I do not know how the schedule and course work will pan out later in the program. However, since the start and through the competition of level 1, working has been totally manageable. There are several of us that hold PRN jobs and pick up shifts but I might be the only one consecutively working. It's doable for me and I will continue to work until it's not. If you are hard working and have excellent time-management skills, it will be doable for you too!
I think this program is great. I would recommend it. Also, if you graduate with a 3.5 you will have an automatic acceptance into the DNP without having to go through the application process (as per one of my instructors- although she recommended working a few years and then coming back for the DNP). That's always a perk! In fact, several past graduates began the DNP in August immediately after MEPN graduation. So, it is not uncommon. Also, the program really prepares you for your future. I am amazed at how quickly I am learning and growing in this field.
As far as the program not being different than a BSN, I would slightly disagree. Education requirements are not getting lower and you will be more competitive with a MS degree. There will also be more opportunities in management roles. Currently, a UA MEPN grad is the infection control advisor for a medical center in NW Tucson. Another graduated and became the director of a luxury long-term care facility. These are titles that typically prefer that you have a MS degree. So, there are advantages to the MEPN degree. You will just have to know how to 'sale' your strengths in an interview.
Don't worry about the interview process to the program. It was much less stressful than I thought it would be. Come prepared and be yourself. Check under UA MEPN 2017. I posted about the interview process in that thread.
Good luck in choosing a program!

If you work for a few years and then come back for the DNP do you still have automatic acceptance if you had at least a 3.5 overall GPA or does that only apply to people who go directly from the MEPN to the DNP program?