bostongal

I agree, Selke, that a strong preceptorship is probably one of the most important factors in a nurse's success in a position and I plan to draw all that I can from mine. To assuage your curiosity, I'm going to SC because the MEPN program allows us to take a "step-out year" between the pre-licensure year and the Master's portion. My boyfriend has just moved to SC and I figured, why not spend the year with him rather than another year long-distance. It will be difficult because I'm coming from an area where nurses are paid the best in the country to an area where they're paid the worst. Literally. And to top it all off, I'm a flagrant liberal! But again, it's only a year...

I would say it was extremely offensive. Next time, speak up! We all hear things like this and these are opportunities to defend the profession, educate someone who previously didn't know any better, and in the process raise our own prestige. It's all about spreading the knowlegde of our roles so tha thte public is better informed.

Thanks, everyone, for your responses. Being new to the field, there are always things I'm unsure of so I appreciate having a place like this to ask and not be judged. Ultimately, the stance I plan to take is Miss Mab's: it's only a year, I can do anything for a year. So, I don't plan to make an issue of it with the human resources department. I was so happy to read your post, anne74. And actually, a BSN's education can even be squeezed into one year, if you subtract the liberal arts classes that all direct entry students bring from their pasts. However, I must disagree with the last line of Miss Mab's posting. I have earned a BSN, just crammed in and accelerated in 12 straight months. I don't know why UCSF's program does not grant a diploma and other direct entry programs do - I wish they would. I also wish that more people were familiar with the nature of these programs - we are well-rounded individuals with perhaps a little more maturity (we're older, on average ) and other life experiences that only enhance our practice as nurses. Coming to nursing from another field, I admit that I didn't necessarily know what I was asking for when I began, but I am thrilled with the result and am glad things turned out this way. I'm looking forward to joining the ranks !

Thanks for your reply, Annointed. In experience, it seems that BSN- and ADN-prepared nurses operate under the same scope of responsibilities and therefore perform the same duties. However, there is a movement, including at the hospital in question, encouraging ADNs to go back to school and get their bachelor's. So, there must be something inherent in these two education tracks that makes them different?

Hello, all! I am just about to finish the pre-licensure year of the MEPN Program at UCSF and have encountered what I feel is a dilemma of principle After I take the NCLEX this June, I'll be taking a step-out year to work full-time as an RN before continuing with the Master's part of the program. So, I've been hired for the step-out year by a hospital in South Carolina that pays hourly wages based on the nursing degree held. Although I will have completed the equivalent of an entire bachelor's education in nursing in this past year, I will not graduate with another bachelor's degree or an actual diploma (as is customary of most direct entry programs). Therefore, the hospital is going to pay me at the two-year associate's degree level. What do other RNs, especially those affiliated with direct entry, think of this?

Hi, Just wanted to advise you to stick with your original decision. A little later on (say at the end of your mere 12 months), you'll be so glad you did. I am a current MEPN, graduating from this first year in June 2007. It's been a long haul, but I'm proud of the amount I've learned and accomplished in this year. And don't forget, it's possible to take a "step-out year" in which you take a break between the MEPN and graduate school years to work full-time as an RN.

That's so funny A lot of us have probably met each other at some interview or another. Yes, I'm heading out to CA - trying to figure out the logistics of relocating across the country (road trip!). I wonder who else from that interview weekend will show up for orientation? bostongal

Congratulations rchamp59 and Karotte. I also got an acceptance letter! :balloons: Yeah, I was a little stunned that they didn't ask for a $500 deposit, but hey, that's fine with me!

Hello all, I'll be starting Microbio at my university on the 23rd (spring semester), probably with a bunch of undergrad bio majors, but that's okay! Still have to order the text online (definitely going to look for an older edition and I don't mind highlighting as long as the book is cheap!). I've had the most luck with amazon, although ecampus sometimes finds cheaper deals. You just have to be sure it will arrive by the time you need it. Good luck to everyone!

Hello, all! I'm new to the site, but have also received an interview letter from UCSF for the MEPN program. I'm also not local (flying in from Boston). Anyone else coming from the East Coast? Oh! And Happy Holidays!