U of Arizona MEPN 2015

U.S.A. Arizona

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Hey everyone so I was moved to Arizona forum. Who is all applying for Summer '15 MEPN?

Congratulations! I'll be inTucson. What about you?

I'll be in Phoenix!

After reading another forum (https://allnurses.com/arizona-nursing/new-entry-level-503724.html) about the U of Arizona MEPN program, I am slightly concerned by the consistent negative remarks (given by graduates of the MEPN program) regarding the program.

Main concerns:

(1) Do we arrange our own clinicals?

(2) How many clinicals hours do we do?

(3) What is the degree granted at the end? MS-RN or MSN?

(4) Does sponsorship still exist?

Any current students or graduates of the MEPN program with additional insights?

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Hi Bruins1990,

I spoke with some current students after the interview regarding some of the above questions. Here's what I know. Clinicals are arranged by UA and we rotate through different departments and hospitals. I'm not sure what the exact setup is like in Phoenix, but it's probably similar. The first semester is mostly theory classes with some time on the Med - surg floor

Clinical is usually 1 day a week and is a 12 hr shift. It is my understanding that the last semester is mostly working in a hospital. Arizona board of nursing requires a minimum number of hours for the RN and I'm sure UA is adhering to the rules.

The degree is a MS degree. The UA will push us to go into the DNP as they are pushing for more NPs to have a doctorate level of education.

I attended a school last year in CA that awarded an MSN after 3 years. Once there, the program actually took 5 or 6 years and entry level jobs were scarce due to the abundance of nursing programs. Most of the students went to another school once they earned their RN. I withdrew as it was not what I thought it was going to be.

I'm not sure what sponsorship is. Could you explain what that means?

That's all I know for your questions. The office could probably answer more.

I've read the negative comments too, and I have known recent graduates from MEPN who have jobs. But like most things - there are positive and negative aspects and some mix of attitude. The school and program may not be for everyone.

I don't have the option of going to another school anymore and the reputation and research at the UA is solid. I'll just have to make lemonade out of lemons if necessary. But I don't expect my hand to be held - it is graduate school after all. Lol. Sorry for the long reply.

G

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Hi Bruins1990,

I spoke with some current students after the interview regarding some of the above questions. Here's what I know. Clinicals are arranged by UA and we rotate through different departments and hospitals. I'm not sure what the exact setup is like in Phoenix, but it's probably similar. The first semester is mostly theory classes with some time on the Med - surg floor

Clinical is usually 1 day a week and is a 12 hr shift. It is my understanding that the last semester is mostly working in a hospital. Arizona board of nursing requires a minimum number of hours for the RN and I'm sure UA is adhering to the rules.

The degree is a MS degree. The UA will push us to go into the DNP as they are pushing for more NPs to have a doctorate level of education.

I attended a school last year in CA that awarded an MSN after 3 years. Once there, the program actually took 5 or 6 years and entry level jobs were scarce due to the abundance of nursing programs. Most of the students went to another school once they earned their RN. I withdrew as it was not what I thought it was going to be.

I'm not sure what sponsorship is. Could you explain what that means?

That's all I know for your questions. The office could probably answer more.

I've read the negative comments too, and I have known recent graduates from MEPN who have jobs. But like most things - there are positive and negative aspects and some mix of attitude. The school and program may not be for everyone.

I don't have the option of going to another school anymore and the reputation and research at the UA is solid. I'll just have to make lemonade out of lemons if necessary. But I don't expect my hand to be held - it is graduate school after all. Lol. Sorry for the long reply.

G

Thank you for the help goldenaz14! Hearing all that definitely makes me feel better about the program.

In one of the threads, I was reading about how U of Arizona MEPN offered sponsorship (tuition is basically paid by the hospital that you will be working for), but that did not go very well because when the contract was about to end, the hospital withdrew from the program or the students had to paid tax on tha 'free tuition'

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goldenaz14, if you don't mind me asking, which CA school was it that you were having problems with?

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Thank you for the info! Maybe we could qualify for sponsorship for advanced studies after working a couple of years? Or maybe I'm not understanding. I think UA offers some form of scholarship to those who qualify?

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The school is the one with a name that starts with an A and has 3 campuses to choose from in Southern CA. I don't want to say the name directly because it is a good school and the people are fantastic. I just felt like it was a little bit of a bait and switch and overall it wasn't for me. My classmates were really excellent people and the director is an amazing woman. I don't want to sour other people's opinion on the school in case they are considering it.

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I hope to see you in May!

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Has anyone gotten off the alternate list yet?

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I haven't gotten a notification yet, just a confirmation that they received my signed alternate list form.^^

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Did you email it in? I dropped mine off in person weeks ago but never got a confirmation email or anything...

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A spot opened up and I got accepted! Good luck to everyone else on the alternate list :)

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I got in off the alternate list as well! For tucson location

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