UC Davis MEPN

KO.SRNA, MSN, RN · Mar 5, 2016

Here is some information regarding tuition that was published in the Proposal for the Master's Entry Program in Nursing (available at https://gradstudies.ucdavis.edu/sites/default/files/upload/files/grad-council/nshl_mepn_proposal_packet_revision_mar_27.pdf )
"The MEPN program will be a Self-Supporting Degree Program, with tuition set at $90,000 per student in 2015/16 for the full 6 quarter program ($15,000per quarter), and will not increase during the course of the program. The tuition will increase 4% annually, with the increase charged to just the new cohort each year."
I understand that this document is a proposal, so I'm not sure whether the stated $90,000 tuition is what we would end up paying. However, I can't imagine that tuition would be much lower. In the meantime, I'm hoping for an acceptance letter... and scholarships!!

Thanks for bringing that proposal to my attention! I was not expecting $90k for the entire program... I was hoping that since it's a public school, the cost would be significantly lower. I just called Betty Irene SON and they (A*****) said that tuition amount in that proposal is not final. And the UC system hasn't come up with a final number yet. She said that it will be very comparable to UCSF and UCLA's MEPN program costs. If offered admission, the offer letter will disclose the tuition amount unless the UC system still has not finalized the tuition cost. Moreover, she mentioned that each student will receive some type of scholarship that assists with the cost regardless if you applied for the ones on their MEPN application. I also asked how many applicants applied, and she said she was unsure if she was allowed to disclose that information, but it was definitely more than they had expected. Good luck to everyone! Hopefully we all hear sooner versus later!

KO.SRNA, MSN, RN · Mar 15, 2016

Just received an acceptance email!!!!

jdeba · Mar 15, 2016

Ya I just got my rejection lol :) Congrats tho! Its USF or SF State for me!

miyaerlegi · Mar 15, 2016

Congats!. I am on waitlist which I think the chances are very slim for me to be accepted since they're only accepting 24 students. Btw, did they mention the tuition on the email?

nickA · Mar 16, 2016

Just received my rejection email. Congrats to everyone who got in!

KO.SRNA, MSN, RN · Mar 16, 2016

Congats!. I am on waitlist which I think the chances are very slim for me to be accepted since they're only accepting 24 students. Btw, did they mention the tuition on the email?

Thank you! Unfortunately, they still have not approved the fee schedule for this summer... I'm banking on the proposals amount which is $15,600 per quarter, but we will see. They did offer me a pretty decent scholarship for "year 1" of the program. Gonna call financial aid to get more information about it and what the likelihood is of that scholarship renewing for the following year. I have a few schools to choose from and its tough to make that decision by not knowing the actual tuition yet for UCD.

AggieMSN-RN · Mar 16, 2016

Also got on the waitlist. With such a small program, I'm also concerned that I won't get in. Good luck to everyone!

bay area FNP-to-be · Mar 16, 2016

I got in and was offered a scholarship as well, but it's still pricey. (90k just for tuition? yikes...)

Tough decision because I'm debating between staying in the bay area, where I won't need a car and have super cheap rent vs. slight lower cost of living in Sacramento. Anyone familiar with how spread out the classes will be in Sac?

"People" also talk about how hospitals are hesitant to hire MSN-level nurses because of low retention rates. Has anyone asked around to get a sense of that? Quite a few of our nurses in Kaiser when my daughter was born were recent grads of different MEPNs.

MonkeyL · Mar 16, 2016

Hi everyone! I'm hoping to get some advice and opinions! I recently got accepted to the ABSN program at Samuel Merritt University (SMU) and the new MEPN program at UC Davis. I have read positive and negative reviews of both programs. My main concern is understanding the difference between receiving a MEPN vs. ABSN and how that will impact my resume down the road. I tried to talk to someone at Davis about these, but was told there are no advisors or counselors available to answer general questions about the MEPN program. Here are some questions and concerns I have, if anyone can answer these that would be great:

1) If I was to go to UCD, will I be receiving a BA in nursing during the first half of school and later choosing a specified field, such as NP?

2) Would graduating in the inaugural class at Davis make it more difficult to find a job rather than graduating from SMU because they are well known?

3) After completing Davis would I have to go back to get another masters to become a NP?

4) What is the job category difference between the two degrees after completion?

Any insight or advice is appreciated!!! Even if it's not about something I asked. Thank you in advance for any help! Good luck to everyone!

nickA · Mar 16, 2016

Do not take this as fact but what I understand is you will be receiving a Master of Science in Nursing. This will not allow to sit for the NP licensure exam. You will need to attend another program post MSN to become a NP.

Also, many schools will no longer allow you to sit for the NCLEX if you have not completed the entire program. Many schools used to be more lenient towards this but it became a trend to leave the program early after students received their license.

You will have your RN licensure which allows you to practice as an RN. I do not believe receiving your ADN, BSN or MSN widens your scope of practice. It may however influence what your salary will be (MSN receiving the highest salary) of course that is all dependent on the hospital or agency you work for.

BSN I think would be geared towards bedside nurse and MSN (also bedside nurse) geared towards management or something outside of the hospital setting something in public policy but that is something that is vague and I too do not understand.

bay area FNP-to-be · Mar 16, 2016

Hi everyone! I'm hoping to get some advice and opinions! I recently got accepted to the ABSN program at Samuel Merritt University (SMU) and the new MEPN program at UC Davis. I have read positive and negative reviews of both programs. My main concern is understanding the difference between receiving a MEPN vs. ABSN and how that will impact my resume down the road. I tried to talk to someone at Davis about these, but was told there are no advisors or counselors available to answer general questions about the MEPN program. Here are some questions and concerns I have, if anyone can answer these that would be great:
1) If I was to go to UCD, will I be receiving a BA in nursing during the first half of school and later choosing a specified field, such as NP?
2) Would graduating in the inaugural class at Davis make it more difficult to find a job rather than graduating from SMU because they are well known?
3) After completing Davis would I have to go back to get another masters to become a NP?
4) What is the job category difference between the two degrees after completion?
Any insight or advice is appreciated!!! Even if it's not about something I asked. Thank you in advance for any help! Good luck to everyone!

No bachelors from Davis because it's a graduate program.

I'm waiting to hear back about the BSN vs. MSN from others on this thread, but I doubt there's a conclusive answer out there. My gut tells me to not make it a priority in your decision making process. I doubt there's much of a difference in jobs available -- possibly more with an MSN? I doubt it since they're both entry-level.

Regarding becoming an NP, you'll need to go back after both programs. The advantage with Davis is that you'll have the master's so you could apply to NP programs that require a masters. When you start your hunt for programs you'll see some (like UCSF) give a masters, while others do post-master's certificates (Sonoma State was the first to come to my mind). In both programs, you'll have the advantage of getting some work experience before going to NP school.

KO.SRNA, MSN, RN · Mar 17, 2016

Hi everyone! I'm hoping to get some advice and opinions! I recently got accepted to the ABSN program at Samuel Merritt University (SMU) and the new MEPN program at UC Davis. I have read positive and negative reviews of both programs. My main concern is understanding the difference between receiving a MEPN vs. ABSN and how that will impact my resume down the road. I tried to talk to someone at Davis about these, but was told there are no advisors or counselors available to answer general questions about the MEPN program. Here are some questions and concerns I have, if anyone can answer these that would be great:
1) If I was to go to UCD, will I be receiving a BA in nursing during the first half of school and later choosing a specified field, such as NP?
2) Would graduating in the inaugural class at Davis make it more difficult to find a job rather than graduating from SMU because they are well known?
3) After completing Davis would I have to go back to get another masters to become a NP?
4) What is the job category difference between the two degrees after completion?
Any insight or advice is appreciated!!! Even if it's not about something I asked. Thank you in advance for any help! Good luck to everyone!

Congrats on your acceptances!! I too was accepted to both of those programs. It's a tough decision. Have you looked at the financial aspect at all or that isn't a huge factor for consideration for you? Keep in mind that for the ABSN program, you will most likely not be eligible for federal loans and/or grants meaning you will have to fund with a private lender that may have higher and/or variable interest rates. The MEPN at UC Davis is a bit scary to pursue in the context of it mainly being an inaugural program. I called today to ask a few questions, and they mentioned that the program is not currently accredited by the CCNE or ACEN, which is a huge requirement for lots of nursing jobs especially in large health organizations. They are currently seeking accreditation as they have a survey with CCNE on October 12-14. The lady on the phone reassured and went as far as to guarantee that they will have accreditation upon the conclusion of this accreditation survey, but that is intimidating knowing that it isn't currently accredited since it's a brand new program. However, UC Davis is a world renown school, they have a medical center attached to the school, and they've had three or so inaugural programs within the last 5-10 years that have been extremely successful (i.e. the NP/PA dual program). Did UC Davis offer you a scholarship and have you filed FAFSA? If so, the cost to the SMU ABSN may be almost the same as cost of living in Sac is a hell of a lot cheaper than the east bay too.

Regarding MEPN vs ABSN - they are both entry level pre-licensure programs. SMU is very well established in the bay area, but UC Davis is very well established in the nation. Fortunately, the school you go to does not impact your earning potential. If your long term goal is to become an NP, I think the MEPN may be a good idea for you since its only 6 months longer than the ABSN and you can then pursue a post masters NP or a DNP, NP afterwards as bay area FNP-to-be alluded to, ultimately giving you more options. Nowadays, the standard is becoming for NPs to get their DNP (not required but there is a subtle industry push for it). Did you apply to other MEPN programs in the area?