I need more info on the following FNP MSN or DNP programs in the San Francisco, CA area

Nursing Students NP Students

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  1. Poll: Which FNP option would you choose?

    • 2
      University of SF FNP DNP
    • 0
      Holy Names University FNP MSN
    • 1
      Samuel Merritt University FNP MSN
    • 0
      Samuel Merritt University FNP MSN (online)
    • 2
      Don't move to CA and stay in NJ

5 members have participated

I am looking for some advice on graduate schools.

I am currently a director of nursing in the state of NJ with a BSN degree. I have been at my position for the last 5 years and I am looking to make a career change to advance practice nursing. Here in NJ, I have the help of my parents, who live nearby and can help out with my two very young toddlers, while I resign from my position to go to school full time. I want a reputable program that I can complete in as little as two years. I was looking into programs here in NJ but my husband has been offered a much higher paying position in the San Francisco area of California. We have to seriously consider it because he will soon be our family's only source of income.

We will have no family or help with my children in California so I would ideally like to find a school with evening, weekend, or online classes so that my husband can watch the kids while I am at school.

UCSF is already out because their FNP MSN program is a two year program that requires campus visits every day. If daycare costs as much in CA as it does in NJ then we will not be able to afford full time day care for two children while he is the only source of income. So unfortunately although I like the UCSF program and the fact that it can be completed full time in two years, I would not be able to do it.

I have narrowed my list down to three schools/programs and my concerns for each one.

University of San Francisco, DNP FNP online.

While I like the school's reputation and the option of taking courses online, it will take me 4-4.5 years to complete the program. I know this is because it is a DNP program but I really want to complete the NP program in 2 years and 3 years at most.

Holy Names University, in Oakland, CA, FNP MSN.

Courses are mainly online with one on campus extended weekend (Thursday-Sunday) a month. This is doable, I'll probably hire a sitter for those extended weekends. The program can be completed in two years and the school will prepare me for the exams by the ANCC or AANP. It is relatively less expensive than the other two schools on my list. But there is no information on the required clinical hours and whether or not they help you with finding a clinical preceptor and with clinical placement. Can anyone who has received an FNP MSN from this school shed some light as to how well they prepare you for your boards and if the school is reputable? What are some pros and cons of the program?

Final school is Samuel Merritt University in Oakland, CA, FNP MSN.

They have two programs, one is online and the other is not. Both programs are FNP MSN. I know the least about this school. I know very little about the reputation of this school (along with Holy Names). I'm not sure how well they prepare you for the boards, clinical placements, whether or not a GRE score is required for admission, deadline to apply, and starting semester. So if any grads can tell me more about this program I would greatly appreciate it!

This was a much easier decision when I was deciding between Rutgers (my undergrad alma mater) and Felician.

Which school would you choose?

Thank you so much in advance!

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Wow, those are some big choices to make....

First, are you truly aware of the cost of living in the bay area? I moved to CA from another state, with a child, the cost of living here is incredibly high. The increase in salary for a move here would be a reflection of that cost of living increase you will experience. Gas prices, utility bills, extremely high rent (we paid $3,400/month to rent a 4 bedroom house in the east bay), and now due to the drought our water cost has increased. I would do some serious research on your monthly cost of living. My child was old enough to be enrolled in school during the day, but the after-school care for one child from 3-6pm five days a week was $500. I'm not saying it is impossible, we have been here for 5 years now, I'm just suggesting you research cost of living. I have seen a lot of families move away because they couldn't make it. The average family CANNOT live on one income in the bay area, you may need to work. You need to also consider the cost of commuting. It is impossible to afford to live in San Francisco as a family of four. So most people have to live in the bay area, like Walnut Creek, Dublin, San Ramon, and use Bart to get to the city.

As far as the programs, I am in one of them and have close friends in the others....without divulging too much information......

All of the programs are lacking in some way. All of the students complain they are missing something. Everyone agrees, you just buckle down and play the game to get the degree. The level of knowledge you leave with will depend on your drive, if you want to learn more, you need to push for it, and you need to network to get more. The reasons for us all entering different programs just depended on our financial needs. SMU hybrid/online (the most expensive) program allows for more scheduling freedom, students can work full time up until the last two semesters. Holy Names, the schedule also allows for work, although it gets more complex as clinical rotations start. The SF program is more affordable than Holy Names and SMU, however, the required in class time severely limits your ability to work, in fact, working while in that program is frowned upon.

I would explain more about each program, but this is a public post....

Keep in mind, each program has serious flaws, you just need to pick one that works the best for your family schedule and your life.

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