MEPN: CNL, NP, etc?

[gdavge2003]

Hello! I'm an undergraduate sophomore currently studying in a non-nursing major. I'm interested in becoming a nurse practitioner (preferably in pediatrics). I've done a lot of research, and many of the "information" presented by different nursing schools is really confusing. Hopefully someone can help me out here! I really appreciate it! :)

I was hoping to get into a MEPN program, make NP my concentration, and leave with a MSN and go on working as a NP... but the path isn't so smooth. With the exception of UCSF, other nursing schools have confusing routes/paths for different roles in the nursing world.

Assuming I can't get into UCSF, but still want to become a NP, what are some good routes/schools? I prefer to stay in my home state (California). I noticed there's a MEPN-CNL then to a NP program, but that takes a good deal of time! (it's like >4 years, or so?)