FutureNPisMe

It's actually (and quite ironically) come down to Columbia and UCSF for me (the DNP program is really messing with my head haha). UPenn's program is stellar though - you just can't go wrong with that choice. In many ways, I do think it's the safest bet (you walk away with a BSN and MSN from a top nursing program, which also happens to be an ivy league institution, not to mention you get an individualized plan of study and the course load is manageable. I mean, what more could you want? Seems pretty ideal to me haha). However, I just don't think I want to live in Philly. I know that may be silly, but I don't know. Just doesn't seem to sway me too much. Where is your head currently? I think UCSF deadline is today, no?

I'm wondering the same thing. I'm really confused on that front, in particular. Columbia's website parallels what you're saying, but I think we need to contact the Admissions office to confirm if this is true. If the first 15 months of the entire program are generalist, I am ok with that, assuming that the remaining 3 are all speciality focused. Let's keep each other informed about this since this is a major deal breaker for me!

That's really helpful -- thank you so much for sharing this information! If Columbia's MSN portion is generalist, then I don't think this would be a good fit for me. I would want to start focusing on my intended speciality as soon as possible (I fear that I would get bored, and my morale would weaken, if I was doing a generalist education when I already know what I want to pursue). I still definitely want to get that DNP, but I wouldn't want to wait 3 years until I finally get to start focusing on the demographic that I want. I think both Vanderbilt and OHSU offer their students the option to continue with the DNP their fourth year if they so choose, which is another nice option to consider if those are in the mix for you.

I definitely share similar sentiments about what future me may potentially want, which is the DNP. Have you already committed to Columbia? Do you know if the MSN is generalist or if we get to start focusing on our speciality after the first year?

The MSN portion at Columbia is non-speciality? Really? Is that only true for those in the MDE/DNP track or also for those just in the MSN track? If so, I don't know how I feel about that. I would definitely like to focus on my intended specialty (PMHNP) beginning right in the MSN portion of the program rather than waiting all the way until I reach the DNP portion (otherwise, what's the point of a generalist MSN for those of us who know what we want to focus on?). We should probably email Admissions to ensure this is, in fact, true. I think my top choices right now are UCSF, UPenn, and Columbia. UCSF has been my top choice all along, but UPenn is also incredible. I love how the BSN portion is 18 months - I think this makes it much more manageable. I also love that Penn offers us a BSN so that we can seamlessly find jobs if we wanted to work during the MSN portion. As for Columbia, the biggest reason why I'm even considering it is because of the DNP -- I know this is the future of the NP path (though questionable as to when this will be enforced -- nursing, as a field, appears to move incredibly slow in terms of public policies), and given this, it would be nice to get everything done in one go and wrap it all up in 4 years and be on my merry way. As for UCSF, which is pretty stellar in my book, everything (except the lack of DNP) is telling me to go. So....I feel like I'm really back at square one. In sum, I think UCSF will make me pretty happy, it's an intimate program with ~60 people, ~8 PMHNP kids, and since I want to live in SF in the future, networking now makes the most sense (also, it's always ranked in the top for everything). UPenn is incredible -- I like how individualized their program is and I think I would walk away with incredible degrees. As for Columbia, I'm not fond of the disorganized nature I hear their program is nor do I like that the class sizes are so huge, but that DNP is really pullin' me in. I also think the ivy pedigree would be beneficial. Gah, so much to weigh! i need helping parsing these things out haha

@occrn1! No worries - I ran into a similar problem of not being able to respond at first, either. Yes, I am on the UCSF MEPN group. How do I find you?

I am so glad you posted this! Honestly, I am having the EXACT same concerns. I would love to connect with you and talk because the DNP is a huge draw for me. I really would love to just complete this all in one go and be done with it in 4 years.

@guest2016 Ah, thank you! It finally showed up for me :) Btw, I got your PM just now but can't seem to reply to it for some strange reason (didn't want you to think I was ignoring you hehe) :)

I am very curious about scholarships as well! I haven't heard anything from them yet...

Wonderful! I mean UCSF and UPenn are my top two choices. I'm leaning more toward UCSF though. What about you?

Anyone in the PMHNP track? Is anyone debating between UCSF and another school? I can't PM -- what's the FB group called exactly?

Hang in there friends! You all have amazing options to choose from, even if UCSF is not in the mix anymore. Their program is really small, which is why they can't choose everyone who was called for an interview even though every single person who interviewed is an amazing candidate. What are your guys' top choices now? I am still debating about all of this so would love to hear your guys' thoughts on the matter of choosing :)

I'm feeling the same way! What are your thoughts on UPenn -- if you don't mind sharing your thought process, why would you ultimately choose UCSF over Penn (I ask because I am in a similar boat)? :)

What are you guys' thought processes for picking one over the other? Penn is really strong. My inclination would be Penn over Columbia but I'd love to hear what your guys' thoughts are on each!

Thanks for sharing this valuable info! To add to this, I know that those in the CRNA track need to work in between the BSN and the MSN, so that's one that definitely cannot continue straight into the MSN track without getting some experience first. I definitely know that those in the PMHNP track can continue and assume the same is true for FNP, if not most others.