Did anyone apply to UCLA's MECN Program for Fall 2009?

U.S.A. California

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Just wondering if anyone else applied to this program. I went to UCLA for undergrad but I pretty much think I have no shot of getting into this grad program.

Does anyone know anything about how many people they admit? What they are looking for?

I think it's nice for those that get accepted at the same school to have someone they 'know' before actually starting the program.

Plus if it wasn't for this forum, I'm sure we'd have driven everyone we know in real life mad!!

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I, too, have been a stalker on this thread for quite some time (and enjoying the interesting conversations :wink2:). But I just wanted to say that I got my big envelope in the mail today!! WEEE!!!! Hearing about everyone's amazing stats was incredibly intimidating, as I'm only 22 and just graduated with my B.S. 3 months ago. I am shocked to have been offered admission, but it's still exciting!!

For anyone out there on the waitlist, I will most likely decline my position, as my ultimate goal is to become a nurse practitioner and CSULA's program integrates that into the coursework. I haven't 100% made up my mind yet, but I'm most likely going to take my acceptance at CSULA instead.

Best of luck to those of you still waiting!!

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Zoogurl, congrats! My god, you're amazing. Been accepted to many of the schools you've applied to and everything! I'm so happy for you and, I gotta admit, a bit jealous too! :D

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Oh, PS my envelope was postmarked 3/9/09.

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I still haven't gotten anything in the mail. Is anyone else still waiting that's in Southern California?

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So, I have a big decision to make as to whether I will decline my position at UCLA and am looking for some input...

I was just wondering what most of you are planning to do if/when you graduate from the UCLA MECN program? The program gives you an MSN and eligibility to take the NCLEX, but where will you go from there? Do most of you plan on being master's prepared bedside nurses? Or do you want to go further and become a nurse practitioner?

Also, I am really having trouble distinguishing how the MSN generalist will be any different than the BSN in the workplace. What makes the MSN nurse "better" or "more qualified" in the hospital setting than her fellow BSN?

It's really too bad that UCLA hasn't adopted a program that integrates a master's specialty, like nurse practitioner certification, into their curriculum. From what I can see, to become a nurse practitioner through this program, you'd need to do 2 years in MECN, work for 1 or 2 years as an RN, and then re-apply to a post-master's certificate program for 1 or 2 more years. When you add that up, it's a lot of time!

Anyway, I hope I didn't ramble on too long :bugeyes:

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I still haven't gotten anything in the mail. Is anyone else still waiting that's in Southern California?

If Shelli sent the acceptances out on monday, then everyone should receive their packages by the end of the week latest.

If you don't, then I'd ring Shelli and let her know that your package may have got lost in the mail!

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I also have not gotten anything. I live five miles from UCLA. Just checked today's mail, nothing doing.

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Yeah, that's what Shelli told me. I'm just surprised I haven't gotten it yet. Gosh I swear I wasn't dreaming this. I did give her my name and she verified my birthday, so I should be ok, right?

ZooGurl3, I also would like to become an NP, but honestly, I kinda think those 3 year NP programs are a bit much (even though I have considered them). I mean, I think it's already a lot to become an RN and get an MSN, but I feel like I would want to have more experience before becoming an NP. I think the best managers and leaders usually work their way up the ladder and I don't think I would feel comfortable being put in such a high position in three years. On the other hand, I think it's great that with the CSULA program, you start working as an RN pretty early on. But honestly, that still kinda scares me. I would want to become an NP when I feel I have enough experience to move forward. I see it as a natural acceleration of my career. This is just my personal view on it. Also, in talking with some of the USD students at orientation, they expressed the same thing. They thought it was already intimidating to get an MSN in 2 years, let alone become an NP in three. Again, if that is your immediate goal, I think you should go for the NP program. I also eventually want to teach so I wanna leave my options open. The other thing to consider is the job market. NPs don't have as many job opportunities.

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Hi music, thanks for your :twocents:! I definitely agree with you on some parts--it is quite scary to think that in 3 years you can go from being a non-nurse to a nurse practitioner! I know that most people, myself included, would not feel comfortable taking on that NP responsibility after that short of a period of time. Plus, look who these new-grad NP's would be competing with for jobs? I will most likely end up spending some time as a regular RN after graduation before seeking my first position as an NP.

Best of luck to you! I do wish that CSULA was located more towards the west like UCLA...the ocean is right there!!

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Don't worry music, I'm sure you'll get your package soon!

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Thanks ZooGurl, I'm sure you'll be fine either way, but I'd like to know what others think as well...

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