vergent

I would look at more than the schools being state schools. That is no way to make a comparison. The UA program is in the top 6% of schools in the country (per US News and World Reports). NAU isn't even in the top 25% of programs. Probably something to consider. NAU only offers a BSN and MSN, the UA offers a DNP and PHD program on top of these. NAU offers about 50 faculty members, with very few having doctorates. UA has over 90 faculty members and the majority have a doctorate in nursing.

As a student in the Master's Entry to the Profession of Nursing (MEPN) program at the University of Arizona, these posts are extremely disturbing. Most of these posts were made by people who have no idea what they are talking about. First, the program first started in May of 2011 - I am in the first cohort of this program. So those speaking about it before me, are absolutely devoid of legitimacy. The program evolved from the Bachelors accelerated program, which had been around for more than a decade. They changed up the program to be able to offer students a Masters of Science degree. The coursework is at a Master's level, with more assignments and topics than a BSN cohort and at a higher level of difficultly. It is a true graduate level program. Second, all clinical sites are arranged by the College of Nursing. We graduate in a few months and not once was there any doubt about our clinical locations. They are all arranged for us by a Clinical Affairs office. We simply choose which location we want when we register for classes. Third, the program requires that you have a 3.0 cumulative GPA and a 3.0 GPA in the prerequisite courses. Most students who got in average around a 3.4 or higher. It is a competitive process. Fourth, sponsorship is still available. It changes each year on how many students and which hospitals offer up the sponsorship. They just tell people in the information sessions not to count on them - as only the top students get these sponsorships. They offer a variety of other scholarships from the College and the University of Arizona has a variety of options for financial aid as well. Finding support has never been a problem. My biggest advice, ignore these comments and find out for yourself. Talk to a current student, check out their facebook group, talk to an advisor, or go to an information session. You will see that most of these posts are completely false.