Marmite16

Hi, Everyone. I'm a second-year AGPCNP student who was a MEPN in 2016. I just wanted to add my congratulations to those who have been invited to interview and to tell those who weren't not to be discouraged. Some of my classmates applied twice before being accepted. Others I know who applied went to schools that were equally outstanding. I'm starting a new quarter next week, so I won't be able to reply to individual questions, but I just wanted to reiterate what was posted above about the interview. The most important thing is to be yourself. Don't try to anticipate answers you think the interviewers want to hear. To prepare for my interview, I sat down and wrote a bunch of questions that I thought they might ask me and tried to come up with some answers. Some of the questions I came up with were actually on the interview, including the most obvious ones: "Why do you want to be a nurse/nurse-practitioner?" and "Why do you want to specialize in FNP, AGPCNP, peds, midwifery, etc.?" They will probably ask questions that you haven't thought about before. The most important thing is to remain calm, take a second or two to formulate an answer, and actually answer the question. Many people ramble when they are nervous, which is totally understandable, but it is important to answer the interviewers' questions as directly as possible. The people who will be interviewing you are warm, thoughtful, and intelligent people who are looking to have a conversation with you about why you want to be a nurse practitioner. Have some understanding about what nurse practitioners do before you go into the interview. Otherwise, try to relax and treat the interview as an opportunity to get to know something about the program. I would also have a few questions prepared about the program itself. Remember, this isn't just about UCSF interviewing you; it's about you interviewing UCSF. I wish everyone the best of luck. Warmly, Marmite.

Dear incoming MEPNs, First, let me congratulate all of you on your admissions to UCSF. You are about to begin the craziest year of your life. I've joined your FB group and will be happy to answer any questions you may have about the program, what to expect, etc. I'm on the ASSN, which is the nursing school's student council, and I am just finishing up my first year. It's going to be an amazing year for you guys. I would also like to say this to those who did not get into UCSF. Certainly, try again and your odds will improve, but if you got into a great nursing school somewhere else: go. UCSF is a great place, but there are many other great places here in the Bay Area and elsewhere in the country. Some of the best nurses I've met were trained at places such as Samuel Merritt, CSU East Bay, CSU Long Beach, CSU Fullerton, Western, Georgetown, nursing schools in India and the UK, etc. My point is that there is no one road to get where you are going. Had I not gotten into UCSF, I would have gone to the Cal State to which I had been accepted. Every nursing school - UCSF included - has its positives and negatives. Just because you didn't get into UCSF does not mean you won't get into another great program, and if that's the case take full advantage of it. There's no rhyme or reason why people get in one program and not the other. I was wait listed at UCLA and rejected by CSU Long Beach. At any rate, congratulations again to everyone who applied and for all your hard work. Don't give up. Nursing is an amazing profession. PS: To those of you who have accepted UCSF, the only thing you need to do between now and the time class starts is to take an extended holiday if it is in your power to do so. The majority of my classmates took a trip somewhere before school started, and man we were glad we did.

Hello, Everyone. Congrats to everyone who go an interview! I heard some great things about the first group who came last weekend and interviewed. Good luck to those of you who have yet to interview. When I interviewed I was told that I had a 50/50 shot of getting in. For some specialties that might be a little bit higher. It just depends. As I said earlier, just be yourself and have some fun (if that's at all possible). More of my classmates will be there to greet you. Please let me know if you have any questions. Warmly, Marmite

I wrote down a couple of thoughts in a separate posting, but I also wanted to say that the most important thing you can do is just be yourself. I know it sounds a bit cheesy, but the truth is that they are looking to match a great class. UCSF has its challenges - just like any other nursing school - but the one thing they did AMAZINGLY well was pick a cohort. I love my classmates, and they are some of the funniest and smartest people I know. You will come to depend upon them as much I do, especially your clinical groups to which you will be assigned from day one of the program. It's kind of like Hogwarts, these groups are really like your family members and you will spend much of your MEPN year together with them. As for the interview itself, there are some questions you won't be able to prepare in advance. But there are some questions you need to know cold: Why do you want to be a nurse? Why do you want to be a nurse practitioner? Why not a doctor? Why UCSF? These are the most important questions for which you need answers. I just finished my finals today and am halfway toward becoming an RN. This program moves FAST!

You can also look at this blog for more info about the interview. This is what I looked at when I applied. Be sure to scroll down. The One Year Nurse, a UCSF MEPN student's journey

Hello Potential MEPNs, Congratulations to those of you who have heard back about an interview. Chances are that one of my colleagues or I may be meeting you during the interview process. I remember how excited and nervous I was when I found out. If it is the same as last year, the interview will be conducted with two individuals, a member of the UCSF nursing faculty and an alumni of the program or someone affiliated with UCSF. Everyone is asked the same set of questions, approximately 25 or so, and the only way to really prepare for it is to know why you want to come to UCSF, why you want to be a nurse, and what you anticipate doing in the future. Take some time to look over the school's website and be sure you understand something about the role of a nurse practitioner. That's it for now! I wish everyone luck. And for those of you who didn't get an interview, please don't despair. A number of my classmates applied two times before they got in.

The Admissions Committee is meeting. Interview notices to follow, probably soon.

You can work during years 2-3 as an RN, but jobs are challenging to find without a BSN. People do it, but it can be hard to find that first job. There is one person I know who is working for year 1 of MEPN, but it's taking a toll on them. Not advisable.

Good luck!

Hello, again, everyone. I just finished my first quarter at UCSF and want you all to know that this program - while challenging in a number of different ways - is also feasible. We have a number of parents who are making this work. Here are some answers to questions that were asked here: 1. Don't worry about the content of your degree. I was a humanities person and I know there are many others who come from diverse backgrounds. UCSF does an outstanding job of putting together a class of diverse students. It's remarkable how diverse everyone is, and I think is is the great strength of our program. Follow your bliss - that's the most important thing. And a background in Spanish will be a HUGE asset. Don't believe everything people tell you either. There's no one path to get where you are going. Stay in that Spanish program if it makes you happy. It'll pay off; I promise you. 2. There was another question about non-graded degrees. We have at least two or three people who went to schools like that in my cohort, so I don't think it's a problem at all. 3. If you are planning on doing any kind of "review" before you get into school (which is not necessary as I mentioned in a previous statement), I would make this one suggestion: Pharmacology is hard. There is a lot of memorization and you'll be required to take an ATI (these online modules that - at least in theory - help us prepare for the NCLEX). The people who did well on this exam this year (we just took it yesterday) were people who had some prior background in pharmacology. I'm not saying you have to take an actual course - though this could be helpful - but it wouldn't be the worst idea to read a basic primer before you get here. I purchased a book on Amazon called "Memorizing Pharmacology: A Relaxed Approach." It's a straightforward book that you could actually read in a week's time and get a LOT out of before you come to UCSF. It has some of the basic drug classes and some very generalized information on drugs. I think it's an amazing place to start. If you are more ambitious and have the time to take a pharm class at your local community college, it will pay huge dividends to you. Huge. That being said, don't feel like you have to do much in anticipation of the program. We all have come from very different backgrounds - some science, some humanities, some social sciences - and we have all been doing fine. 4. I chose AGNP because I had a previous background working with elderly patients and wanted to continue this work as an NP. That being said, there are many different specialties and everyone will find his/her niche. 5. As for the statement of purpose, I understand that it is challenging, but it's an important process to work through in your own time and way. If I had any advice to offer it would be this: be your best, most authentic self in the writing of this document. There is no standard "formula" for success. I think it's important that you communicate to the admissions committee who you are in your own words and in your own style. Avoid any references to what you "think" the committee might want to hear and tell them honestly and directly why you want to go to UCSF and why you want to become a nurse. I think the answers to this question are as diverse as those who are applying to the program. People who try to "impress" the admissions committee by writing what they "think" the committee wants to hear generally do not do very well in a process like this. Just be your authentic self and let the rest take care of itself. I know during an admissions cycle people want to know how to present their best selves, but there is no specific formula. You just have to make your case and hope that it works out. I can say this, though: if you get an interview, your chances of getting into the program are probably better than 50-50 at that point. As for either sharing my own statement or reading others, I must respectfully decline. I don't want anyone to be unduly influenced by what I wrote and I don't have the time to read any statements. Just do your best. That's all anyone can ask. 6. It is NOT possible to work in this program. I don't work and I don't know of anyone else who does. It's just too crammed with stuff to do. You need to understand that this is an accelerated program on steroids. Depending upon the week, I can probably take a day off here and there, but I'm working pretty much 7 days a week on this because there really is so much to do. I've managed to keep my sanity throughout this first quarter, but it's been hard. You're not just going to classes; you also have two days of clinical during your first quarter and will progress to three in subsequent quarters (the first quarter you work 8-hour days; the second you work 12-hour days). You barely have time for anything but this. It's not a joke and if you try to work during the program it'll be hard. I hope some of this information helps. I remember what it was like last year, coming to this forum and anxiously waiting for information. It'll be exciting when your letters arrive informing you of interviews. Interviews are VERY important. The best way to prepare for those is to actually know something about UCSF, its faculty, its program, and yourselves. More on this later. Please let me know if you have any additional questions. I'm away on holiday for the next two weeks, but I'll check in periodically. Good luck to everyone. UCSF is a great program, but there are many out there, so cast a wide net. I hear really good things about UC Davis and know someone who is at Samuel Merrit and really likes it. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you all. Best, Marmite

I'm in AGNP. The toughest part about the program is just the sheer volume of work. You feel like you are always behind. This first quarter is supposed to be the toughest of the MEPN year, but I am amazed how far we've have all come in such a short time. The professors have all been great and we are trying to iron out a few rough spots so that next year's MEPNs will be able to benefit. Make no mistake, though, this is a fast-paced program and I work everyday. You have to really force yourself to take time off, but it's super important to do. Pharmacology has proven to be the biggest challenge, but we are chipping away at it. The best part of the program are my classmates. They are so smart and kind, you will bond quickly in this program. Good luck to everyone. BTW, don't do anything to try and prepare for the program apart from the prereqs you have taken - in other words don't try to review all of your physiology in the month or two before the program starts. Justice relax and take some time off, because once the program starts, you will be eating, drinking, sleeping nursing and UCSF.

Hello, Current MEPN here. Don't worry about your math score on the GRE. Mine was similar.

The GRE is only a minor hurdle relative to the overall application. Spend time on your statements of purpose and really know why you want to become a nurse. This will come up during the interview process.

Hi, Guys. Current MEPN here. Last year when I was applying another MEPN was very kind in answering questions. I just want to pay it forward. If you have any questions about the program or about the application process, please let me know. I'm insanely busy and will probably only check once a week, but I will check. Good luck to everyone. It's a great program - tough - but great.

The exact same thing happened to me. They were "verifying" one of my transcripts, and I think they didn't even review my application. I got accepted at another nursing school and have already accepted, but I am not sure whether I will even hear back from Samuel Merritt. It was very strange.