UCLA MECN 2016

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Hey there, I am planning on applying to the UCLA MECN 2016 program and was wondering if anyone else out there was applying as well. Just curious about other applicants and hoping to go through this application process with some other people! Would love any feedback. Thanks :)

@fatima no.. not me.... Facebook link is blocked at my work place.... ill do it after work..

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Thx RxtobeRn27...

I appreciate you!

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Specializes in Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner.
I need some advice and made a separate thread for this but didn't get any responses, so I'm hoping to get some help from you guys here. I got into both UCLA's MECN and APU's ELM programs and need some help deciding.

APU

-RN, BSN & MSN-NP or MSN-CNS

-3-4 years (depending on track)

-$90,000+ tuition

UCLA

-RN & MSN-CNL

-2 years

-$50,000+ tuition

I was unclear about APU's advanced practice MSN vs UCLA's generalist MSN, but I did some research and found out that NPs have some prescriptive authority and provide more direct patient care, whereas CNLs have more of a managerial role coordinating care. UCLA's hospital network and reputation are obvious draws, but I'm wondering what can be said about the CNL certification vs the NP/CNS licensure. Do you guys know what the job prospects are between those types of nurses? Do you plan on getting NP certification after the MECN program? APU's program looks very appealing but attending UCLA does too, so help please!

Two years ago I had to decide between CSULA's ABSN/MSN program and UCLA's MECN. I chose eventually CSULA over UCLA because it was more in line with my career goals.

I know I want to be an NP, and have already completed the RN portion. I am now taking FNP courses at CSULA while working as an RN.

NP is an additional licensure, and there are many different specialties for NP. I'm a little surprised that you applied to a program that has an NP portion but you don't know what it is...?

I declined MECN ultimately because I do not want to practice bedside nursing for long; I knew already from working as a CNA that I did not enjoy the traditional bedside role very much. CSULA's program allows me to work as an RN while attaining NP education. I also found a job that allows me to use my RN skills while avoiding the hospital environment/bureaucracy that I simply do not care for.

You need to research the NP, CNS, CNL and RN roles to make an informed choice. It is my understanding that many hospitals do not hire UCLA MECN graduates immediately into CNL roles. However, these hospitals are more than happy to hire MECN grads as new grad nurses. UCLA hospital system does hire its own graduates internally, but other hospitals prefer to hire nurse leaders who have worked as floor nurses for a few years before putting them in leadership roles.

TL;DR: Consider your goals for practice, cost of attendance, other financial constraints, other life goals (age was a factor for me), length of time to graduate, career options, family, etc.

Just my two cents from applying to MECN, researching nurse roles, and getting a job after RN school.

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I need some advice and made a separate thread for this but didn't get any responses, so I'm hoping to get some help from you guys here. I got into both UCLA's MECN and APU's ELM programs and need some help deciding.

APU

-RN, BSN & MSN-NP or MSN-CNS

-3-4 years (depending on track)

-$90,000+ tuition

UCLA

-RN & MSN-CNL

-2 years

-$50,000+ tuition

I was unclear about APU's advanced practice MSN vs UCLA's generalist MSN, but I did some research and found out that NPs have some prescriptive authority and provide more direct patient care, whereas CNLs have more of a managerial role coordinating care. UCLA's hospital network and reputation are obvious draws, but I'm wondering what can be said about the CNL certification vs the NP/CNS licensure. Do you guys know what the job prospects are between those types of nurses? Do you plan on getting NP certification after the MECN program? APU's program looks very appealing but attending UCLA does too, so help please!

Like @get2thechoppa said, it ultimately depends on what you want to do. I see NPs to be almost like doctors (my Primary Care Provider is an NP). If your goal is to become an NP and you choose to go to UCLA, you have to reapply to a MSN program & specialize - meaning you'd have to pay again. Most NP's I've met have had years of experience as a bedside nurse before they went on to specialize (unless you do those direct NP programs like CSULA etc.) And yes having the UCLA name can help you as far as status but it ultimately depends on the individual. I currently volunteer at UCLA RR and many of my volunteering peers are current nursing students or recent grads & come from many different schools (including UCLA MECN) to really get their name out there & their foot in the door when it comes to clinical experience/possible job opportunities. Hope this helps :)

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@get2thechoppa

I remember seeing you on last years thread. I thought it has only been a year since you've been in the BSN program at CSULA. But that is a really good choice you made, so congrats on completing the bsn portion. It seems as though it went by pretty fast. I thought it was 15 months in total before you can enter into the Masters program. Didn't you just start last fall? The other thing is, it's 3 years in total and some people are pressed for time as I'm sure everyone on this thread should at least be in they're late 20's to early or mid thirties...I think.

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Specializes in Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner.
@get2thechoppa

I remember seeing you on last years thread. I thought it has only been a year since you've been in the BSN program at CSULA. But that is a really good choice you made, so congrats on completing the bsn portion. It seems as though it went by pretty fast. I thought it was 15 months in total before you can enter into the Masters program. Didn't you just start last fall? The other thing is, it's 3 years in total and some people are pressed for time as I'm sure everyone on this thread should at least be in they're late 20's to early or mid thirties...I think.

I applied to UCLA in Fall 2013. Applied / interviewed for CSULA in Winter 2014. Got notified of acceptances April 2014. Started at CSULA June 2014. Graduated from CSULA ABSN portion September 2015. Started NP/MSN that same month. Passed NCLEX mid-November. Started job immediately following NCLEX.

Depending on how you want to date everything, it's been two years or so.

It's all a whirlwind in my mind though.

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@Get2thechoppa

Wow...time flies! Congrats! I know you're happy to have gotten the BSN portion out of the way! How do you like their program?

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This is one of the most active threads I've come across this admissions cycle--its awesome! I also received a waitlist offer (I'm number 9) and am hoping for some good news later. For those of you that were accepted (congrats!), do your admission emails include info regarding the deposit? If so, do you mind sharing how much it is and when its due? I wanna start saving just in case. Thanks!

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@richj86 no, the acceptance email did not come with deposit info. It only came with the 1 week deadline to tell Rhonda if we accept our spot. It also came with estimated program cost, housing info, and what you still have missing (pre-reqs).

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Ok guys!! I was really nervous to do this, in case it back fired against me, but curiosity got the better of me!!!

I emailed RS this morning and asked how many people were accepted for Fall 2016 and she replied 70. Thought this might be useful info to share???

Best-

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@_sarah_

Sooooo....is it full as of right now?

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@sarah @luv4god .. so far.. we have like 17 members on Facebook group... so myb they are still looking at some apps... so hang in there guys... keep calm... stay positive.. :-)

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