PLU ELMSN 2020-2021 COHORT

U.S.A. Washington

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I haven't seen a thread made yet so here we go! Anyone else applying to the PLU 2020 EL-MSN cohort?

Yes!! I’m anxiously waiting to hear back! I’m hoping they don’t take till the end of Feb.

19 hours ago, Hmcken said:

Yes!! I’m anxiously waiting to hear back! I’m hoping they don’t take till the end of Feb.

Are you applying to the program with the intention of pursuing a DNP in the future?

Yes, My long term goal is a FNP! How about you? Have you heard anything?

25 minutes ago, Hmcken said:

Yes, My long term goal is a FNP! How about you? Have you heard anything?

My long term goal is also FNP. I've been wondering about the route to get there (focusing on finances).

Through what I've found via web search is that the EL-MSN program that we are applying for costs about $70,000. After we graduate with our advanced generalist MSN's, the next step would be to apply to an MSN to DNP program, specializing as an FNP. The MSN to DNP program that PLU offers costs about $100,000. Thus, over the course of 5 years (assuming we apply to the MSN to DNP program right after graduating with our MSNs), we will have had to pay over $170,000 to get our DNP's and be practicing NP's.

I'm wondering if there are any benefits to having a MSN with an advanced generalist focus (which is likely what we'd be getting). If we decide to work as RN's after getting our MSNs, I'm skeptical that our MSN will be of any benefit to us. If this is the case and the MSN we are earning really doesn't matter besides being a stepping stone to being a NP, does it make sense to go to the PLU EL-MSN program which is super expensive at $70,000 or does it make more sense to go to a cheaper nursing school and get a BSN for less than a quarter of that price. Essentially what I'm asking is, what is the point of getting an MSN as an advanced generalist (which seems useless) when we could much more affordably get BSN's at other schools and then use that to apply to an NP program?

1 Votes
Specializes in CNA.

I applied!! I’m super nervous and am praying I get in. ??

1 Votes

Hey! I'm currently in the 2019 cohort of PLU's ELMSN program. Maybe I can answer some questions or offer advice to you.

@Dylan Miller, this program will earn you an MSN with a Care & Outcomes Manager focus. You can opt-in to doing the additional CNL track during your last year but it adds extra classes and extra costs. If you're interested in applying to PLU's DNP program after graduating, be warned that they require applicants to have work experience as an RN so you may need to take a gap year to build up experience. I'd recommend asking how many hours they want you to have since I'm not familiar with the specifics.

With the ELMSN program, we become RNs in the first year of the program and then are able to start working part-time as nurses while completing the master's portion of the program part-time. This means you will have some RN experience by the time you graduate.

Here's my two cents: If you're not interested in actually using your MSN for RN management roles after graduating, you're honestly better off getting a BSN. Especially if you can get into an accelerated BSN program! Once you have your license, you can find BSN to DNP programs at a lot of schools including PLU. The huge difference (like you said) is cost. I've learned that having an MSN during your first year or two of nursing doesn't help you much at all because you're still going to be taking entry-level jobs.

If you do plan to keep working as an RN, having an MSN will help you "level-up" after you get some experience and it will ultimately earn you more money than a BSN would. But if you're only using the MSN to help apply to DNP schools, it may not help much. You'd have to evaluate the admissions stats for the DNP programs you're interested in and see which degree would be best.

And then of course to throw a wrench in it all, if you decide to do the BSN route and regret it, you can always do a BSN-MSN program online for super cheap ?.

It all just comes down to personal goals and what works best for you. There are SO MANY ways to become a nurse now it's nuts and it's hard to sort it all out.

Good luck to you all!

1 Votes

Thank you for all the information! Do you like the program?

does anyone know if their running on time this year for sending invites?! ? I’m crossing my fingers we can start hearing back before feb like they’ve done in years past. I’ve accepted an offer somewhere else that starts in April and I would love to be able to let them know sooner than later if I won’t be attending so PLU is my first choice!! ?

2 Votes
Specializes in CNA.

I haven't heard anything back but I know last year they started sending invites as early as January 15th. Hopefully we hear back soon!!! I'm nervously and anxiously waiting!!

Specializes in CNA.

@Dylan Miller Personally, from my perspective the ELMSN is better if you want to become a practicing RN faster than if you were to go the BSN route. Also, it is better if you are interested in leadership roles before becoming an NP. After the MSN, it would take an additional 2-3 years to become an NP so there is time for you to grow as an RN and gain leadership experience which would boost your resume once you become a practicing NP. However, it is very costly, like you said. So if you went the BSN route, you would have to wait about another year or so than the ELMSN program to become a practicing RN, however it would save you more money and then you could do the MSN online somewhere (like ), or skip the MSN entirely and go straight to NP school.

Thank you everyone for all the responses! They have been super helpful. I just got the acceptance email this morning (woohoo!).

I'm still unsure if this is the best path for me. I'm going to be reflecting a lot the next couple weeks before I secure my seat. Regardless, I'm so grateful I was accepted and good luck to anyone still waiting to hear back! ♥️

2 Votes

Congratulations!!! That’s exciting invites are going out! Praying I hear back soon!

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