Sam Merritt vs. Univ. San Fran ELMSN?

GoldenGateNurse · Mar 2, 2005

Since I didn't get any responses, but did have a handful of people looking at my post, I thought I would throw out what I know so far...

Samuel Merritt: More expensive in the long run and generally speaking lower in any rankings I've been able to find (i.e. 127 vs. 51 for USF). I've also heard the program is very intense, although I think of that as more of a pro if it means I'll end up a better nurse - NCLEX pass rate is in the 90s. I've also heard that Kaiser and CHW recruit heavily here and often offer loan repayment for Sam Merritt students.

As for USF, they are still expensive even though they are marginally cheaper than Sam Merritt. As I said above, they tend to rank out higher than Sam Merritt, although I'm not sure how much stock to put in those things. I believe their NCLEX pass rate is in the high 80s.

I know it's not much, but thought I might not be the only one having trouble getting any details on these schools.

Does anyone out there have strong opinions on the strength of Samuel Merritt (in Oakland, CA) versus the University of San Francisco for the Entry-level MSN program? I can't figure out which school would be more highly respected by employers post-graduation (I'm definitely staying in the Bay Area after school).
Thanks so much for any advice you guys might have!

fergus51 · Mar 2, 2005

I don't think it really matters. As long as you pass the NCLEX and have good references from instructors or preceptors, most hospitals will be eager to speak with you.

smile123 · Mar 3, 2005

Does anyone out there have strong opinions on the strength of Samuel Merritt (in Oakland, CA) versus the University of San Francisco for the Entry-level MSN program? I can't figure out which school would be more highly respected by employers post-graduation (I'm definitely staying in the Bay Area after school).
Thanks so much for any advice you guys might have!

What focus area are you interested in? FNP? CNS? etc. USF only offers a health in leadership entry level MSN program while Samuel Merritt offers more of the FNP, CNS, etc. USF does not give you a lot of clinicals due to the nature of the health in leadership option. Look carefully. If you email me, I can tell you more offline.

Smile123

icesk8ie · Mar 3, 2005

I don't know if you've considered it, but UCSF Master's Entry Program is very good. Their nursing school is #1 in the nation, I believe.

smile123 · Mar 6, 2005

I don't know if you've considered it, but UCSF Master's Entry Program is very good. Their nursing school is #1 in the nation, I believe.

The U. of Washington in Seattle is #1, UCSF is #2 for nursing programs. Both are really tough to get into. Not only do you need stellar GPAs, GREs, and recommendations, but they seem to weigh health related volunteer and work experience very heavily. This would include working at an AIDs clinic, working with the homeless, dealing with underserved populations, etc. They also like it if you speak another language such as Spanish to interact with non-English language speakers.

The U of Washington just started its master's entry program last year. It takes 20 students.

UCSF has been around and they take 75 students. They also get 400 to 500 applicants.

Both of these programs have a specific number of slots each year for the various focus areas. For example, out of the 75 slots, perhaps only 7 are for FNP and there may be 210 candidates applying for that focus area. That would mean you would have a 1 out of 30 chance of getting accepted. If you applied for a less "popular" slot, perhaps your chances would be better, but they may also have fewer slots. It really depends from year to year.

BTW, the top student applicant pool apply to many of the top schools such as: Yale, Columbia, Johns Hopkins, U.Penna, U of Washington and Vanderbilt for their accelerated direct entry programs. (I am only naming the ones that I have heard of from talking to some fellow applicants.) The west coasters also apply to U. San Diego, Samuel Merritt (Oakland) and USF (if they do not want to be a NP or CNS), which are also good schools, but may not be as attractive to east coasters. Hope that helps.

Smile123

begalli · Mar 8, 2005

I just wanted to say that 2 RN's who worked on my CTCIU as staff nurses graduated from UCSF in the last 3 years and one more graduates in June.

One is a CNS in Cardiovascular and has been the Heart Transplant Coordinator at Stanford for about the past two years.

One is also a CNS in Cardiovascular and is working with Kaiser to open their new cardiothoracic surgery program in the new Santa Clara Hospital due to open soon.

I have no idea what the plans are of the one who graduates in June (trying to give him a break...always studying, always a bit stressed). His CNS however, will be Cardiovascular.

That's 3 nurses from one place in 3 years. Pretty good. Makes me think that maybe I could.....hmmmm.

I agree with fergus1. I think graduate RN's are in great demand. I don't think it matters which school as long as you get it done. Pick the school that suits your needs best.