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'll just chime in here since I'm going into one such program although it is only two years, straight through the summer. I hear the whole thing about not being ready, it was a real worry for me. Before I found out I didn't get into UCLA, I talked to an NP I know (old-timey nurse who took the long way). She was very supportive and said she'd heard good things about Vanderbilt. She said that she's precepted students from the program and the major problem they had was adjusting to the role of NP but otherwise they were great. She said the program gives you a good knowledge-base, but regardless of which way you go, the first year or two as an NP will be a challenge.

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Yay! 'Glad to hear you're looking into other programs, Martini. And if I was rejected already, I'd say "F-'em!" for you and me both. I'll probably be saying that tomorrow anyway!

I'm a blond-haired woman. 'Got nothin' to offer in terms of ethnic diversity.

trust me, the school (and the profession) can use a lot more diversity. however, UCLA cannot admit based on ethnicity. whether or not people were accepted had nothing to do with their race. i wouldn't start thinking along "ethnic" lines in trying to determine why you did or did not get in...

the bottom line is that many people of ALL ethnicities are qualified to succeed in this program, but there are a limited amount of spots -- which absolutely sucks. knowing that the # of applicants to nursing school far exceed the # of available spots, i applied to every kind of program -- ADN, BSN, and MSN programs. i wanted to be a nurse, period. i believed that all of my future advanced practice and research goals were still possible once i became an RN. perhaps a good idea for everyone who has not been admitted is to broaden your options. County has an EXCELLENT program. their admissions process is solely based on your academic achievement. i honestly considered going there over UCLA due to the cost and the fact that it's a proven program. i thought long and hard about it, but my dad convinced me to get my Master's. thankfully, i ended up getting a scholarship for this year, so i didn't lose financially by choosing the path that I did. but, i would have been excited about becoming an RN regardless of the program...

you will become a nurse with any of the degrees i mentioned. besides, there are ADN-MSN programs out there for ppl with other degrees as well. you'll reach your goals of becoming MSNs, PhDs, DNPs, whatever you want. to me, the key is to get into a program that is going to expand your thinking, develop your skills, and support you in your journey to becoming a nurse. we will all be new grads when we finish regardless of what program we come out of.

i wish you all the very best, and hope that you enter into the program that is the best fit for you. congratulations to all who have been accepted to school in the fall. for those who have not been admitted yet, stay encouraged. your goals will be realized if you stay positive and determined...

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I'm afraid I didn't get in guys.

Good luck to those that did!

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trust me, the school (and the profession) can use a lot more diversity. however, UCLA cannot admit based on ethnicity. whether or not people were accepted had nothing to do with their race. i wouldn't start thinking along "ethnic" lines in trying to determine why you did or did not get in...

Thanks for the encouragement. I agree that doing a postmortem does no good, however, I really think it's disingenuous to say that ethnicity is not a factor, given the stated goals of the school. I'm not saying this is a bad thing, or that I would have gotten in if I had been a minority, and I'm definitely NOT saying that those who did get in did not deserve it.

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Thanks for the encouragement. I agree that doing a postmortem does no good, however, I really think it's disingenuous to say that ethnicity is not a factor, given the stated goals of the school. I'm not saying this is a bad thing, or that I would have gotten in if I had been a minority, and I'm definitely NOT saying that those who did get in did not deserve it.

You are understandably upset. But, to say I'm being "disingenuous" is unnecessary and inaccurate. Why don't you contact the school to find out why you were not admitted. I'm sure your ethnicity was not a factor at all. Best of luck to you...

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I'm afraid I didn't get in guys.

Good luck to those that did!

Sarah, I'm really really sorry to hear that! I know how badly you wanted this. But don't be discouraged. I know you will find a program that's right for you. I think NSFA08 makes a great point that this is about becoming a nurse, and not necessarily about what program gets us there. Best of luck to everyone! Please please don't let any rejection letter stop you from pursuing your dreams. You are all very deserving.

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Just to comment on the issue between going to school that has the NP specialty or not, I personally think that either way works out. Last year, I spoke with a FNP director at a school which offers the direct NP option, and she told me that there are studies that show that people who do not work as nurses first have their own advantage as starting as a NP. The studies showed that their skill as a NP was comparable to those that went the traditional route. I have not attempted to find these papers, but if I do I will post the link! So, from what I have heard, it just depends on the person and which route they would like to take.

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Agreed PuraVida. I have seen a study like that on this site. I also think that working in primary care minimizes the difference, since there really are few jobs for RNs in primary care and a great deal of hospital nurses' experience is not relevant to what an FNP does.

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nothing in the mail again today... what is going on here?

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Sarah, I'm so sorry to hear you didn't make it--so now go to plan B! You didn't have one, I know, but now it just means that it's time to figure that out. If this is really what you want, you'll find a way.

I have been wondering something for a while though. I've lived in Spain and France and was under the impression that a university education is virtually free in Europe--is that not the case in the UK? I remember friends telling me that they only had to pay around $300 euros for the year. If it is a similar system in the UK, why would you want to pay international tuition just to study here? Or is it that there aren't similar programs in the UK?

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Sarah, I'm so sorry to hear you didn't make it--so now go to plan B! You didn't have one, I know, but now it just means that it's time to figure that out. If this is really what you want, you'll find a way.

I have been wondering something for a while though. I've lived in Spain and France and was under the impression that a university education is virtually free in Europe--is that not the case in the UK? I remember friends telling me that they only had to pay around $300 euros for the year. If it is a similar system in the UK, why would you want to pay international tuition just to study here? Or is it that there aren't similar programs in the UK?

Thanks.

There aren't similar programs here.. Plus I wanted a change of scenery!

It's ok, I've got a couple more yet to hear from.. I'm sure I'll get there....eventually.

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nothing in the mail again today... what is going on here?

You should ring Shelli! She'll tell you over the phone.

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