UCLA MSN Fall 2014

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Hi friends!

Anyone applying to the UCLA MSN-Advanced Practice program for Fall 2014? I applied for the FNP program. I figured we could use this thread to chat and update each other!

Thanks!

Lovepeacelove

I know they do have grad student family housing for UCLA grad students and their families in an off-site location down on Sawtelle. I had a few friends that moved their small families there during school. They are small apartments in a massive compound-like complex. It's very secure with a pool, clubhouse, etc. If you contact RF, she can probably direct you to the housing department for more info...

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Specializes in ICU.

Northern california

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Oooooo....that's far (my BF lives in the Bay area so I know the distance well). How old are your children?

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Specializes in ICU.

Yep... 5 and 1. That is why it is a big move- have to find schools etc. I've looked into the housing options at the website, but my dilemma is that the process of moving might be too much in the beginning of the quarter... any thoughts on this?

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Ohhh that's tricky, but they are young enough to not be as affected as say, some junior high school kids would be (ie. make new friends, etc.). The baby won't even know it's in a new city haha. It is a big move, but I'm not sure you will lighten it by delaying until after the first quarter. Having gone through the MECN program, I do know that you should expect to hit the ground running in the first quarter and be really overwhelmed. Just when you seem to get settled in one quarter, you move onto the next, which will build on the previous one and will feel more difficult than the last. If I were you, I would move your family over the summer, and then expect to kiss your personal life goodbye once school starts. This program will be demanding of your time and energy and resources, and your family and loved ones will miss you more than you will expect. I remember one of my single-mom classmates beating herself up over her sick child who asked her to cuddle with her, but she had to study for a pathophys exam :(. I am not sure if you are retaking any prereqs or physical assessment...that could make moving trickier. If you do wait to relocate your family, I'd ask the housing department how easy this is to do when you are one-quarter deep in the academic year. You could also seek housing yourself, but rent and the cost of living here in LA will possibly be more $ than what you are used to right now. I'd also make the move over the Christmas break - it will be you largest break until the following summer (2015).

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Specializes in ICU.

Thanks for the input- really thinking hard about it. Will definitely consider it.

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Specializes in ICU.

Is there anyone of you planning on taking Research course during the summer? I was thinking of signing up to lighten up my load during the Fall. Is it helpful to have a recent statistics course for this course, bc I have taken mine 15 years ago, thus needed some polishing. :-)

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Specializes in Hospitalist AGACNP-BC.

From what I've been told, thus is a very benign course. If you take it during the fall quarter, it will be least on your priority list.

I am still contemplating taking it over the summer. I don't get a ucla tuition discount on summer courses. My coworker regretted not taking it over the summer because instead of being able to take an interesting elective in the fall, she had to take research. And in her case, she missed her only opportunity at taking a particular elective course that she was really interested in because it wasn't offered another time.

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Specializes in ICU.

Thanks for the info. Have not decided yet what to do. That's a good point though, if tuition is getting subsidized by UC, it makes sense to take it in the Fall.

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Specializes in ICU.

To those who are planning to take research course in the summer, in order to receive financial aid, one must at least take a total of 12 units in a quarter. Thus, if you are receiving financial aid, taking it in the summer would only give you an option to take a different course/elective class during the Fall quarter, and not really lighten up your load. I didn't know this so I am just sharing this info w everyone.

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Hello everyone! I have to make a decision to attend UCLA today for their FNP, I am from out of state and am curious if people know anyone that is currently in the program and their experience. Also I would like to be able to continue to work and was wondering if people know if this is a realistic goal, if so what are some good hospitals that I should apply to in the area. I really appreciated any help, for I am so confused on what to do!

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Specializes in Hospitalist AGACNP-BC.

ksnurseks-

congratulations on your acceptance into the FNP program! To start off answering your question, from what I understand, the decision to enter the UCLA Masters in Nursing program is not one to take lightly. It is very time and effort intensive. I have known someone who had kids and worked full time for part of the program. But honestly, of all the people I know who are in the program, they all have dropped down to working part time at least after the first quarter. However, working at UCLA, the nurse managers are more flexible with allowing people to work part time only for going back to school so perhaps it makes the decision to go to part time a lot easier.

My co-worker also told me that of all the people in her Acute Care cohort (she is finishing up her second quarter), only 1 person has dropped out. And there have been at least 4 drop outs from the FNP program. Not sure why, but we can only assume that most Acute Care applicants are from the ER or ICU and have a hungry personality. You have to really want this whether you are admitted into the FNP or ACNP program.

There are many great hospitals in this area that you may be able to work for. Mind you, the process can take many weeks. UCLA, UCLA Santa Monica, St. Johns, Cedars Sinai, Kaiser, VA, to name a few. Some will even help you with relocation. UCLA pays a $1500 relocation assist. But Im not sure on the details whether you need a full time appointment or not.

I guess my overall advise to you is, it sounds like you have a really huge decision on your hands. And I hope you HAVE been leaning more towards one decision more than the other since you have to make that decision today. Because you live out of state, you will be making more of an investment in this decision than some of us. I hope whatever you do choose, you feel good about it and 110% ready for the challenge.

Working is not out of the question. You can do whatever it is you put your mind to. Best wishes

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