New entry-level Masters program at U of A!!

After looking at other second degree and MSN programs out there, comparing cost, time, resources, etc, I still applied to the program. I felt a lot better about the changes after attending another information session and after speaking to some nurse friends in the area. I still think I can get a quality education from the U of A, even if the tab is a bit steep. I submitted my application yesterday. Now I wait. *sigh*

After looking at other second degree and MSN programs out there, comparing cost, time, resources, etc, I still applied to the program. I felt a lot better about the changes after attending another information session and after speaking to some nurse friends in the area. I still think I can get a quality education from the U of A, even if the tab is a bit steep. I submitted my application yesterday. Now I wait. *sigh*

Good luck Jacoba:)

Are you going the self pay route or are you doing the sponsorship ? Do you mind sharing a little about the new changes to the program ? I'm still not 100% sure if i will apply or not.

Good luck Jacoba:)

Are you going the self pay route or are you doing the sponsorship ? Do you mind sharing a little about the new changes to the program ? I'm still not 100% sure if i will apply or not.

The sponsorship option may not exist anymore. At the information session they said that they haven't established whether the option is viable here anymore. A lot of the local hospitals are really suffering financially. As for me, I really don't intend staying in Arizona long term so I made it my second option (if it exists). I have no intention of going to Yuma at all.

Also, the program will be relatively similar to the BSN, since 2nd degree bachelors and a masters are pretty much the same thing. The extra month or so will be for advanced nursing classes in things like administration and leadership.

It will be at least 35k for residents and more for out-of-state students.

Since the graduate college takes cumulative GPA into consideration, there is going to be stiffer competition. They emphasized the importance of writing good essays.

I can't really think of anything other than that. It sounded like they have a course plan, but are waiting for approval from the college board before the post the rest of the information.

Even though it sounds a bit shady, the other graduate level nursing programs at U of A are really good, so I would imagine that some of that will carry over.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but all the different nursing programs at UofA exist in their own respective vacuums.

The traditional undergraduate BSN program has NO overlap/relationship with the accelerated/2nd degree BSN.

The new Master's Entry will have nothing in common with any other graduate level nursing program.

The new MEPN is nothing more than the old Accelerated program with a new name: same instructors, same curriculum, same assignments. The last 4-6 weeks of the program is the only new component, which yes, will focus on "advanced" skills, which in reality means a research paper emphasizing style and format rather than content. (Your instructors will criticize any deviation from standardized academic citation, but they will fail to comment on your actual theme. "Just make it look pretty on the paper.") Leadership class will consist of memorizing different types of organizational hierarchies and identifying, via a silly multiple choice exam, the difference between authoritative and democratic methods of team leading. Yawn.

Shady? Absolutely. You are now 70 days from the application deadline and STILL there are no details on the CON website. Let me provide you some insight into how communication occurs at the CON. The class of 2010 was not informed that the hospital sponsor Carondelet, which held some 48+ student contracts in the previous year, had withdrawn until the day before interviews. The CON claimed that Carondelet did not announce the decision until one day earlier, but this was exposed as a lie later in the year. Multiple comments have been made by hospital sponsor administrators that they do not need any more nursing grads who can write lengthy academic papers. What they want are new grads with strong clinical skills, and the hospitals are turning to the community colleges for less expensive, better qualified floor nurses. Several sponsors stated that they wished the UofA 2nd degree BSN program had better clinical instructors. These are the same people who will now be the MEPN clinical teachers.

Should you really pay graduate tuition for a degree that is regarded as less than a community college ADN??

Jacoba,

do you know what the competitive GPA to get into the program is ? I know 3.0 is needed but did they mention in the info session what the cutoff was for the last group ?

Since it is now part of the graduate college they take both cumulative and prerequisite GPA's into consideration. I can't say what the historical cumulative GPA has been (has to be 3.0), but they were saying that the prerequisite GPA is generally 3.5+/-.

I did get your PM, I can't use PM's though, so I couldn't reply. However, if you have the time and resources, I'd say apply. I'd expect the amount of applications this round to be lower since the fees and GPA expectations went up, so you could definitely have a shot.

I am also considering the U of A MEPN and I must say after reading this thread I am a little concerned. I was wondering why it was so hard to find out ANYTHING about it on the website... which all makes sense now considering its current status. I am planning on going to the Dec 7th info session and hope to have many of my questions answered then... but I'm trying not to get my hopes up.

It does seem weird that they are basically putting a new outfit and a higher price tag on the same program. A jump from 28k to 35-45k is pretty significant. Especially for in-state. When I first saw that tuition I thought no way, no how... but now after comparing it to some of my other options (which would all require moving which I would have to figure into the overall cost as well) it isn't as bad as I thought. Most accelerated BSNs seem to run at least 30k if there is not an instate option... I just find the proposed tuition disappointing considering UA is a state school.

Some of my major questions are: when will they decide the tuition costs, can this be paid per semester or do they want it up front (unlikely I know, but my husband had to for his RN program) and a proposed curriculum. Additionally I would love to know if they have given any indication as to what the schedule may look like, as in hours a week you are expected to be on campus, etc.

I heard about how the recent class got screwed with the job placement and although I am not impressed, I can't use that as a reason to justify not doing this program myself since I am planning to pay for it myself. I care more about the program itself and I am concerned after reading posts regarding the instructors. Can anyone comment more on the old accelerated BSN program (since it is likely to be identical to the MEPN)? Was it well organized? Even if the profs are the best, did you feel prepared to take the NCLEX? From what I have heard this is really all that matters because most of what you need to know as an RN you will learn on the job no matter where you went to school.

Thanks so much!

Rachael

Rachel, you being a chiropractor, have all the ability to get through this program, even if it will be disorganized and chaotic. You want your degree and this program will give it to you in a relatively fast manner! And while they have upped the tuition, it still would be way more money for you to do a separated Bachelors and then Masters on top. I do not attend this school, but I wish it was an option when I started NAU's program, cause it took me 18 months for my BSN and then will be another year on top to get just a generalist Master's. Go for it...it's a degree that will be a good bridge and a much faster route to NP than any other local options!

Just an FYI, I spoke with someone in Admisions the other day and she said that the circulum has been approved and should be on the website soon. Additionally the tuition will be calculated based on what is currently on the graduate tuition site for a masters in nursing. This looks to be approx. $30k. It is unclear if a loan-repayment job contract will be guaranteed, but from the application it seems to be an option.

Thanks for your encouragement yelnikmcwawa. I survived chiropractic school so I know I can do this. My only concern at this point is getting in as I know it is competitive everywhere these days. I am not sure how my chiropractic coursework will be accounted for in terms of my GPA. My grades at the doctoral level were not nearly as good as undergrad, which isn't surprising considering how intense the classes were. I will have to meet with someone once they receive my transcripts to figure it out.

I am also considering the U of A MEPN and I must say after reading this thread I am a little concerned. I was wondering why it was so hard to find out ANYTHING about it on the website... which all makes sense now considering its current status. I am planning on going to the Dec 7th info session and hope to have many of my questions answered then... but I'm trying not to get my hopes up.

It does seem weird that they are basically putting a new outfit and a higher price tag on the same program. A jump from 28k to 35-45k is pretty significant. Especially for in-state. When I first saw that tuition I thought no way, no how... but now after comparing it to some of my other options (which would all require moving which I would have to figure into the overall cost as well) it isn't as bad as I thought. Most accelerated BSNs seem to run at least 30k if there is not an instate option... I just find the proposed tuition disappointing considering UA is a state school.

Some of my major questions are: when will they decide the tuition costs, can this be paid per semester or do they want it up front (unlikely I know, but my husband had to for his RN program) and a proposed curriculum. Additionally I would love to know if they have given any indication as to what the schedule may look like, as in hours a week you are expected to be on campus, etc.

I heard about how the recent class got screwed with the job placement and although I am not impressed, I can't use that as a reason to justify not doing this program myself since I am planning to pay for it myself. I care more about the program itself and I am concerned after reading posts regarding the instructors. Can anyone comment more on the old accelerated BSN program (since it is likely to be identical to the MEPN)? Was it well organized? Even if the profs are the best, did you feel prepared to take the NCLEX? From what I have heard this is really all that matters because most of what you need to know as an RN you will learn on the job no matter where you went to school.

Thanks so much!

Rachael

Hi Rachel,

so did you ever attend the info session on December 7th ? Did you learn anything diferent from the basic info provided on this thread. I'm in another state so i couldn't attend. They really dont give any info over the phone, especially in regards to price for non residents. Did you get any info on price ? Are you planning on applying ?

I have looked into this as well. The last time I checked the UofA Pathway Program it was just for a BSN degree.

Do you know if the Master's program will offer a 3 year work contract to have your school paid for? I know the BSN 15-18? mo program offered this.

Learned some interesting things at the MEPN info session. First of all UofA no longer offers an accelerated BSN--it is the MEPN ONLY. I am concerned about this because many MSN programs (for NP, etc.) require a BSN for entry and I am not yet sure how they will handle the MEPN. It is a MS degree which is not the same as an MSN apparently. It was mentioned that you could apply to the DNP program at UA with this degree which I am not sure why anyone would do the DNP at this point which is a 4 year program at UA while it is still possible to get to be a NP without one and be grandfathered into any upcoming changes. My husband is currently doing an online MSN for FNP and it will only take 1.5 years. Anyway, I digress.

There will be 96 available spots and they are expecting 300-500 applicants. Average GPA in previous years for the ABSN has been 3.5 and the overall competition is expected to be tough. Lots of people who have gone back to school to take their prereqs and likely have a 4.0 average for just their prereqs, although their overall GPA may be considerably lower (but had to be at least a 3.0). Doesn't sounds like there will be any accounting for WHERE you took your prereqs (ie at a community college or university) as I was told that there would be no recognition for the fact that I had taken several of mine at the doctorate level while pursuing my chiropractic degree. I see their point, but at the same time think the fact that I did 9 months of actual dissections on cadavers and only got a B should be recognized when compared with an A from a community college. But such is life and my whining won't get me anywhere.

Interviews will begin in February and will be done in groups of 2-3 people at a time (which in my opinion is one of the dumbest things I have ever heard) with a faculty member. It was mentioned to make sure you don't give the same answers questions as anyone else in your group (again, dumb). Final decisions will be made in early March. There are no letters of recommendation as part of the application so don't bother sending them. Decisions will be made entirely from GPA, personal statements and the interview. They had no idea how many candidates would be interviewed.

They do not know at this time if there will be any work repayment options and may not know until after acceptance decisions are made. The woman who is currently in charge of the department is new and doesn't really seem to have any idea about how the sequence of this will play out. She basically gave the impression that you should plan on paying for the program, but maybe you will get lucky. Any contracts that are available will be for 3 years, not 2 as it has been in the past.

As for cost, the program will be 4 semesters (summer, fall, winter, spring, summer) and will follow the established graduate tuition. Right now that is roughly $7100 per semester. She did say that this has only been approved through the spring/summer semester and that she anticipates it will likely increase by 6-10% for the following year. My impression is that due to budget issue the tuition may steadily increase per semester for the duration of the program--so probably costing closer to $35k when all is said and done.

One things I was not happy about it is your clinical hours are not set up for you. For some courses you will be expected to go into the community and find your own hosts at local hospitals. They mentioned that students have never had problems finding these hours in the past because the UofA program has such a good reputation. I am really disappointed by this--considering how intense the program is, how much it costs and all the connections UofA has in the community I feel it should be their responsibility to arrange clinicals. Not sure how this is handled in other programs and maybe this is standard but I doubt it.

Regardless of everything I have learned so far I am still planning on applying. There really aren't many other options for obtaining and RN in Tucson right now as PCC has a wait list for their associate nursing degree until 2013. I am curious if I could just transfer into the UA BSN program--has anyone tried to do that??