I'm considering MEPN application to the UofA next year. I've been in touch with the advisor, Chris Sogge, for the past 3 years. I have a B.S. in Computer Science and a M.Sc. in Biology from Canada . Chris said that I need a pre-req GPA of 3.7 at least to get into the program; mine is 3.3. Do I stand any chances? Did anyone get in with lower pre-req grades? I'm trying to juggle pre-req taking with a toddler. Thanks so much for your advice!
"Historically (and in some cases today) ... the IS/WAS a difference of academic significance. The difference lies in the governance of the academic programs within the university system. The MS with a major in Nursing is the degreed conferred by the entire academic community as a whole: the nursing program is governed by the standards, committees, etc. that oversee all of the academic departments on campus. The MSN is the degree conferred by a separate college (or professional) school within a university system -- in which the nursing program governance is within that particular school/college and decisions are more decentralized.
When you are dealing with reputable schools, the standards will be equally rigorous regardless of how the governance of the school is organized. Which is why the distinction between the two means so little today. However, many years ago, when many of today's institutions were founded... there sometimes was a significant difference in the standards. MS programs were more geared to the academic side of nursing and MSN programs were more focused on practice and less on academics and sometimes that was reflected in lower academic standards. Even today, you will sometimes see a school that offers both degrees -- with the MS requiring a thesis and/or the mastery of a foreign language in preparation for a research/teaching career while the MSN focuses more on clinical practice projects and make a thesis optional.
All that being said ... in many places, the differences between the actual degree requirements have been blurred and even erased. Most schools offer one degree or the other and if you look at their actual requirements, you can see no differences between the two. Only a few schools offer both degrees on two different tracts. Doctoral programs know this and don't hold it against you if your degree says MSN vs MS. However, if you don't do a thesis as part of your Master's program, you may have to do something similar to demonstrate your research competence to a doctoral program before they'll admit you. That's what happened to me. I got my MSN and then needed to submit a publishable article (in lieu of a thesis) as part of my PhD program application"
Found this. Cannot say for sure this is exactly how it works, but seems to make sense, especially since we are applying to the Graduate School, not just the nursing program.
UofA really needs to clarify on their website, considering that quite a few people are wanting to know. I agree that this is still confusing-I was hoping that my email would provide closure, but now, not so sure...
Has anyone done a comparison of the MEPN curriculum with a known MSN program? If the classes are essentially the same, shouldn't both programs yield an MSN?
12 minutes ago, ArizonaNP said:
UofA really needs to clarify on their website, considering that quite a few people are wanting to know. I agree that this is still confusing-I was hoping that my email would provide closure, but now, not so sure...
Has anyone done a comparison of the MEPN curriculum with a known MSN program? If the classes are essentially the same, shouldn't both programs yield an MSN?
I did a quick search, but the problem or complication is that the curriculum depends on what track you choose. Probably there is a general masters out there, I just stopped looking. I looked at Johns Hopkins since they have a master's entry program, but there website is very clear that it is an MSN. Here are the classes side by side - since they are comparable programs in that you have a bachelors in something non-nursing and enter to become an RN.
4 minutes ago, MamaJess20 said:
"Historically (and in some cases today) ... the IS/WAS a difference of academic significance. The difference lies in the governance of the academic programs within the university system. The MS with a major in Nursing is the degreed conferred by the entire academic community as a whole: the nursing program is governed by the standards, committees, etc. that oversee all of the academic departments on campus. The MSN is the degree conferred by a separate college (or professional) school within a university system -- in which the nursing program governance is within that particular school/college and decisions are more decentralized.
When you are dealing with reputable schools, the standards will be equally rigorous regardless of how the governance of the school is organized. Which is why the distinction between the two means so little today. However, many years ago, when many of today's institutions were founded... there sometimes was a significant difference in the standards. MS programs were more geared to the academic side of nursing and MSN programs were more focused on practice and less on academics and sometimes that was reflected in lower academic standards. Even today, you will sometimes see a school that offers both degrees -- with the MS requiring a thesis and/or the mastery of a foreign language in preparation for a research/teaching career while the MSN focuses more on clinical practice projects and make a thesis optional.
All that being said ... in many places, the differences between the actual degree requirements have been blurred and even erased. Most schools offer one degree or the other and if you look at their actual requirements, you can see no differences between the two. Only a few schools offer both degrees on two different tracts. Doctoral programs know this and don't hold it against you if your degree says MSN vs MS. However, if you don't do a thesis as part of your Master's program, you may have to do something similar to demonstrate your research competence to a doctoral program before they'll admit you. That's what happened to me. I got my MSN and then needed to submit a publishable article (in lieu of a thesis) as part of my PhD program application"
Found this. Cannot say for sure this is exactly how it works, but seems to make sense, especially since we are applying to the Graduate School, not just the nursing program.
I submitted my application over the weekend and recalculated my gpa. I applied with a 3.45 prereq, 3.82 last 60, and a 97.5 cumulative on the hesi. I have some healthcare experience, but I am still nervous that I won’t end up getting in this year ?. I have not yet received a second verification email from Nursing CAS.
I submitted my application over the weekend and recalculated my gpa. I applied with a 3.45 prereq, 3.82 last 60, and a 97.5 cumulative on the hesi. I have some healthcare experience, but I am still nervous that I won’t end up getting in this year ?. I have not yet received a second verification email from Nursing CAS.
Here’s hoping we all get interviews!
Wow a 97.5 on the HESI! That’s amazing!!! Your prereqs is a bit low but your hesi should def make up for it. I have a 4.0 prereq 3.6 last 60 and 93.5 hesi. Depending on what they consider healthcare experience I have some to a lot lol. I did foster care for children w disabilities for 6 years and they all had lot of medical stuff going on. When are we supposed to find out if we got an interview?
Wow a 97.5 on the HESI! That’s amazing!!! Your prereqs is a bit low but your hesi should def make up for it. I have a 4.0 prereq 3.6 last 60 and 93.5 hesi. Depending on what they consider healthcare experience I have some to a lot lol. I did foster care for children w disabilities for 6 years and they all had lot of medical stuff going on. When are we supposed to find out if we got an interview?
Thank you!! We’ll see if my score can make up for it! And I think that would count. I was a BHT for 2 years so I’m hoping they would count that the same as a CNA but I’m not too sure. I think that they will give us that info in the middle of January but I’m not 100% sure?
I am also applying to the MEPN for 2020. Does anyone know how long it takes to have your application "verified?" I've been refreshing the status page like crazy. ha!
I am also applying to the MEPN for 2020. Does anyone know how long it takes to have your application "verified?" I've been refreshing the status page like crazy. ha!
I literally just got an email saying it was verified like 5 min ago.
LOL. Great to know. When did you submit your application? Also, Hi Jeanette! We had micro together over the summer with Dr Ahmed. lol
Hahaha HEY!!!! I submitted my app last week on wed. I submitted my other transcripts a few weeks ago but my Pima one they just got yesterday so I wonder if they’re just starting to work on them now that the deadline has passed.
MamaJess20
35 Posts
"Historically (and in some cases today) ... the IS/WAS a difference of academic significance. The difference lies in the governance of the academic programs within the university system. The MS with a major in Nursing is the degreed conferred by the entire academic community as a whole: the nursing program is governed by the standards, committees, etc. that oversee all of the academic departments on campus. The MSN is the degree conferred by a separate college (or professional) school within a university system -- in which the nursing program governance is within that particular school/college and decisions are more decentralized.
When you are dealing with reputable schools, the standards will be equally rigorous regardless of how the governance of the school is organized. Which is why the distinction between the two means so little today. However, many years ago, when many of today's institutions were founded... there sometimes was a significant difference in the standards. MS programs were more geared to the academic side of nursing and MSN programs were more focused on practice and less on academics and sometimes that was reflected in lower academic standards. Even today, you will sometimes see a school that offers both degrees -- with the MS requiring a thesis and/or the mastery of a foreign language in preparation for a research/teaching career while the MSN focuses more on clinical practice projects and make a thesis optional.
All that being said ... in many places, the differences between the actual degree requirements have been blurred and even erased. Most schools offer one degree or the other and if you look at their actual requirements, you can see no differences between the two. Only a few schools offer both degrees on two different tracts. Doctoral programs know this and don't hold it against you if your degree says MSN vs MS. However, if you don't do a thesis as part of your Master's program, you may have to do something similar to demonstrate your research competence to a doctoral program before they'll admit you. That's what happened to me. I got my MSN and then needed to submit a publishable article (in lieu of a thesis) as part of my PhD program application"
Found this. Cannot say for sure this is exactly how it works, but seems to make sense, especially since we are applying to the Graduate School, not just the nursing program.
Heres the link I pulled the text from
.