Out of State MEPN vs In-State ABSN

Boomer MS, RN · Mar 28, 2019

I don't know what your life experience is, so I will comment on assuming you are young or youngish. I am neither. I do live in and am licensed in CA. I am of the opinion that one should get a BSN and work a while before moving on to an Advanced Practice role, which MEPN programs offer but skip the BSN degree. The only MEPN program I am familiar with is the one at UCSF, which is competitive and challenging. That is not to say that other MEPN programs are not good. I also acknowledge that my opinion is controversial and not shared by many. I strongly advise doing the ABSN program, to which you have been admitted, assuming it is a good program. Practice as an RN for a while and find your passion. You may find that your preferences may change after practicing for a while. I support the Advanced Practice Nurse role, as long as he/she has some experience as an RN. This opinion is not shared by all.

Getting licensed in CA, either as an RN or as an Advanced Practice Nurse, is doable, as long as your program meets the CA requirements. No matter which path you choose, it will be hard work. Good luck.

aspiringnurseCA · Mar 28, 2019

5 minutes ago, Boomer MS, RN said:
I don't know what your life experience is, so I will comment on assuming you are young or youngish. I am neither. I do live in and am licensed in CA. I am of the opinion that one should get a BSN and work a while before moving on to an Advanced Practice role, which MEPN programs offer but skip the BSN degree. The only MEPN program I am familiar with is the one at UCSF, which is competitive and challenging. That is not to say that other MEPN programs are not good. I also acknowledge that my opinion is controversial and not shared by many. I strongly advise doing the ABSN program, to which you have been admitted, assuming it is a good program. Practice as an RN for a while and find your passion. You may find that your preferences may change after practicing for a while. I support the Advanced Practice Nurse role, as long as he/she has some experience as an RN. This opinion is not shared by all.
Getting licensed in CA, either as an RN or as an Advanced Practice Nurse, is doable, as long as your program meets the CA requirements. No matter which path you choose, it will be hard work. Good luck.

Hi @Boomer MS, RN, the MEPN program I was admitted isn’t for an APRN role, but will allow me to take the NCLEX to become a RN. I would be a MS, RN if I graduate from the MEPN program. Therefore, both programs will lead me to become a RN. However, I’m not sure if I were to move out of state for school, would it be more challenging to find a job if I move back to CA since I won’t be doing clinicals in CA?

Boomer MS, RN · Mar 28, 2019

Ok. I think I know what you are referring to, perhaps a CNL (Clinical Nurse Leadership) MEPN program. If this is accurate, the CNL programs, in my opinion, are a waste of time and money. A CNL graduate (with no specialty) with a masters in nursing is STILL a new grad, with no experience. A new grad is a new grad is a new grad is a new grad, whether it be it be from an ADN, BSN or MEPN program. I've been "told" that CA has very strict requirements for licensure and that CNL programs as entry programs have fallen out of favor. I would assume an ASBN program to which you have been admitted to CA would be savvy to all this information. Times have changed since I received my BSN. I feel strongly that an RN should have a BSN. Nurses are in a profession, the only profession, that does not require a graduate degree. But I digress... (still not convinced an RN needs a master's degree) I say go to a good program that offers a BSN and hopefully gives you a sound academic background. Think about your goals. Try not to focus on the quickest or the cheapest way. As long as any program meets the requirements for licensure in CA, you will be OK. But having an ADN, BSN or MS in nursing at the entry level does not give you an advantage or disadvantage. Your program has to meet CA's requirements. Best wishes to you on your journey. It is doable.

aspiringnurseCA · Mar 28, 2019

8 minutes ago, Boomer MS, RN said:
Ok. I think I know what you are referring to, perhaps a CNL (Clinical Nurse Leadership) MEPN program. If this is accurate, the CNL programs, in my opinion, are a waste of time and money. A CNL graduate (with no specialty) with a masters in nursing is STILL a new grad, with no experience. A new grad is a new grad is a new grad is a new grad, whether it be it be from an ADN, BSN or MEPN program. I've been "told" that CA has very strict requirements for licensure and that CNL programs as entry programs have fallen out of favor. I would assume an ASBN program to which you have been admitted to CA would be savvy to all this information. Times have changed since I received my BSN. I feel strongly that an RN should have a BSN. Nurses are in a profession, the only profession, that does not require a graduate degree. But I digress... (still not convinced an RN needs a master's degree) I say go to a good program that offers a BSN and hopefully gives you a sound academic background. Think about your goals. Try not to focus on the quickest or the cheapest way. As long as any program meets the requirements for licensure in CA, you will be OK. But having an ADN, BSN or MS in nursing at the entry level does not give you an advantage or disadvantage. Your program has to meet CA's requirements. Best wishes to you on your journey. It is doable.

Thank you so much for the insight @Boomer MS, RN I do understand that I would be a new grad whether I attend the MEPN program out of state or the absn program in CA. I am just not sure if CA hospitals care about where you went for school?

Boomer MS, RN · Mar 28, 2019

I do not think CA cares where you went to school as long as the school meets CA's requirements for licensure.For example, NYU's ABSN program is accepted by CA. In the dark ages, when I went to school, it seems all schools met CA's requirements. Now that may not be true. Does that make sense? Not knowing which CA school you have been admitted to for the ASBN program, I can't comment. It would behoove you to be sure the ASBN program you have been accepted is a valid program that meets CA's requirements. If, for example, it is one of the CA State nursing programs, you'd be fine. There are some programs out there out there now that can be suspect.

aspiringnurseCA · Mar 28, 2019

8 minutes ago, Boomer MS, RN said:
I do not think CA cares where you went to school as long as the school meets CA's requirements for licensure.For example, NYU's ABSN program is accepted by CA. In the dark ages, when I went to school, it seems all schools met CA's requirements. Now that may not be true. Does that make sense? Not knowing which CA school you have been admitted to for the ASBN program, I can't comment. It would behoove you to be sure the ASBN program you have been accepted is a valid program that meets CA's requirements. If, for example, it is one of the CA State nursing programs, you'd be fine. There are some programs out there out there now that can be suspect.

Thank you so much for your help @Boomer MS, RN Yes, that does make sense! Do you know if there is a website to check whether the school out of state meets CA's requirements for licensure? I have tried to check California's BRN website but I couldn't find it. The ABSN program I have been admitted to is accepted by CA.

Boomer MS, RN · Mar 28, 2019

Unlike times past, the CA BRN now is almost impossible to deal with or get a response. So I do not know how to inquire on its website. I've been told that calling rarely renders a live person answering. I did have an issue recently because my finger prints did not "register" on two attempts for renewal. So I called the BRN and actually got a live person, who was less than helpful. It's discouraging. The very best advice I can give you is to get your BSN. A CNL program that awards a master's in nursing offers no advantage at all, either in CA or out of CA. I don't know all your ins and outs about where you are. You might try calling the CA BRN. Or call the MEPN school and ask to speak with a knowledgeable person about the program. Although CA may have stricter requirements for licensure, those requirements are not extraordinary. An RN needs to be well educated. An accepted ASBN program in CA that meets the CA BRN requirements for licensure sounds like a winner. Of course, this is your journey. If you're set on a CNL program (that gives an MS in nursing) out of state, be forewarned it is no advantage. If you want an Advanced Practice role in the future, you will need more education. This is because the CNL are not specialty programs, like NP, CNS, CNM or CRNA programs, all specialized Advanced Practice roles Think about your goals. One step at a time...

caliotter3 · Mar 28, 2019

The path of least resistance is the CA ABSN program. You know it meets CA requirements for licensure. If you are inclined toward the other program, then do your research to make certain it meets your needs. An advisor at that school should be able to convince you that their graduates have been licensed in CA in the past. As for employment in CA, employers generally are not concerned with your education as long as you possess a BSN. They are concerned that you have a clear license and they want to discuss your nursing employment experience.

umbdude, MSN, APRN · Mar 28, 2019

17 hours ago, aspiringnurseCA said:
I am not sure if I went to school out of state, would it decrease my chances of getting a job in CA? Please advise as I have to make a decision soon.

For RN positions, it would decrease your chances because I've found that a lot of hiring in nursing (RN level) is local. Students going to schools in CA will have exposure to local hospitals whether as a PCA or as a student RN, thus they have an advantage over out-of-state applicants (new grads). CA is highly competitive and you would want every edge you can get by being in the area.

Not to mention, those MEPN programs that do not lead to APRN are a total waste of time and money.

vanilla bean · Mar 28, 2019

1 hour ago, umbdude said:
For RN positions, it would decrease your chances because I've found that a lot of hiring in nursing (RN level) is local. Students going to schools in CA will have exposure to local hospitals whether as a PCA or as a student RN, thus they have an advantage over out-of-state applicants (new grads). CA is highly competitive and you would want every edge you can get by being in the area.

This is a *very* important factor to consider. I relocated to CA last year and knew I was moving to a competitive market but was still surprised that it took me a year *a year* to get a job. I have my BSN and 3 years experience as an RN and it was still a struggle to compete with all of the other applicants for open positions. When you have exposure as a student to facilities, staff, hiring managers and faculty that have local connections you have the opportunity to network and cultivate relationships that could help make that new grad job hunt a whole lot easier.

aspiringnurseCA · Mar 28, 2019

Because both programs are a year long so I just don't want to think I am giving up a chance to get a master's because I could take out federal grad loans, whereas for the absn program I would have to take out private loans and it's more expensive.