Is an MSN easier to get into than a BSN in CA

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Hey everybody, my girlfriend is trying to get into a BSN program here in Bay Area, California. It seems pretty competitive and I have been trying to help her do some research. She went to a community college for two years, played basketball and finished most nursing prerequisites there. She has around a 3.4-3.5 GPA in all of her classes but has one C in one (out of three) anatomy and physiology classes (quarter system).

I know UCSF and some other schools in California have MSN programs directed towards students with bachelors in another field and no nursing experience. Would it be easier for her to get into an MSN program like this? Are these programs generally less competitive than the BSN programs? Or will she have a better chance with the BSN.

Thank you all for the suggestions!

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If your girlfriend has a bachelors degree already Samuel Merritt has an accelerated BSN program with 3 different campuses in the Bay Area (Oakland, SF and San Mateo). I am a graduate of one of these programs and would HIGHLY recommend it! The cost is a little daunting but the program is 12 months so she would be in the work force a full 1-2 years earlier than a traditional BSN or MSN. If she does not have a bachelors degree already then I suggest she apply to as many ADN and BSN programs as possible as many are on lottery system. Good Luck to you both!

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Thank you for the great reply! I will do some more research on those and check them out. :D

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Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.

UCSF is very competitive to get into; I am not sure if it would be any easier for her to get in or not (than a BSN). I am guessing your wife already has a BS/BA in another area...she would have to have a bachelors to be able to apply for the rout you are talking about. The MEPN program is VERY compact and essentially requires all you time.."

MEPN admits students in an annual screening cycle, each class begins their studies in mid-June. The intensive first year of study in MEPN includes all the didactic and clinical nursing curriculum usually distributed over two years. This twelve-month period entails 30 - 33 clock hours of class and clinical work per week in addition to study time. Consequently, it is not advisable, and students are discouraged from, engaging in paid employment during this first year in MEPN (prelicensure year).
#10. Can you put me in touch with current MEPN students? I really need to talk to someone who has been through the program. Do you offer tours of the School? Can I make an appointment to meet with someone?

Unfortunately, current MEPN students have communicated with us that their "plates" are entirely full. While we would like to be able to accommodate these requests, we chose to err on the side of sheltering our current students from the numerous requests for contact.

I am not trying to discourage you and your wife, just want you to know what should would be up against

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Specializes in Nursing Ed, Ob/GYN, AD, LTC, Rehab.

If I had to do it over again i would have kept working on a bachelors degree in another field while I waited to get into RN school. That way I would have been able to go into a MSN program had I needed to. Not a bad idea to keep in mind

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