2014 UCSF MEPN Applicants

samdaman · Oct 22, 2013

Hey everyone, hope you're all eagerly anticipating an interview letter (in about 1.5 more month). So I just found out that your cohort only sent in about 300 applications which is going to result in only about a class of ~50 students. The downward trend in applicants is a bit of a concern to the staff. Anyway, I'd be interested in hearing why some of you may be detracted from applying this year. Cost of tuition, pre-reqs, economy, lack of interest?

frank_sf · Oct 22, 2013

Hey Samdaman,

I applied this year. But now I am having second thoughts about it. I met a couple of guys that are finishing the MEPN HIV specialty and they are recommending going just for the masters or the accelerated bachelors. They have encountered some problems finding a job after the first year because most hospitals and clinics require a bachelors in nursing.

I don't come from a wealthy background so I was expecting doing some part time work after the first year.

I also applied to UCLA for the MECN. We'll see what happens.

eb86 · Oct 22, 2013

samdaman -- that's crazy! I almost can't believe that! I applied, but my best guess for the reduced number of applicants is/was the competitiveness of the program. Some people may have questioned spending the time, energy and money applying if the chance of acceptance is so low. Cost of tuition and prereqs probably weren't a deterrent since they are on par with those of other high caliber schools (although most of those are private). Just my thoughts!

Wow, I really can't get over that, haha.

calinicumurse · Oct 22, 2013

Hey Frank,

I'm curious as to how true all that buzz is about requiring a BSN... It just seems weird for the masters to not supercede a bachelors. I mean, we still get our RN license after all! Maybe there are just more qualified people getting those jobs? Who knows, but hopefully the lack of BSN is not really the case!

calinicumurse · Oct 22, 2013

Hey everyone, hope you're all eagerly anticipating an interview letter (in about 1.5 more month). So I just found out that your cohort only sent in about 300 applications which is going to result in only about a class of ~50 students. The downward trend in applicants is a bit of a concern to the staff. Anyway, I'd be interested in hearing why some of you may be detracted from applying this year. Cost of tuition, pre-reqs, economy, lack of interest?

Can you elaborate more on the concern to the staff? Thanks!

sittenfeld · Oct 22, 2013

Hey everyone, hope you're all eagerly anticipating an interview letter (in about 1.5 more month). So I just found out that your cohort only sent in about 300 applications which is going to result in only about a class of ~50 students. The downward trend in applicants is a bit of a concern to the staff. Anyway, I'd be interested in hearing why some of you may be detracted from applying this year. Cost of tuition, pre-reqs, economy, lack of interest?

Hey! I've been lurking on these threads, haven't posted in forever. But I'm not applying this year simply because I can't due to UCSF's pre-req policy. I am finishing microbiology right now. I'm hoping they don't make anymore (major) changes by next fall!

nursetobe18 · Oct 23, 2013

Hey Frank,
I'm curious as to how true all that buzz is about requiring a BSN... It just seems weird for the masters to not supercede a bachelors. I mean, we still get our RN license after all! Maybe there are just more qualified people getting those jobs? Who knows, but hopefully the lack of BSN is not really the case!

I believe he is only referring to those who are looking for part time or per diem work as RNs after the first year of the program. Many people work as RNs through the last 2 years, and I have heard from friends who are nurses (with BSNs) that their hospitals are less likely to hire an RN with an associates degree instead of a bachelors. However, I would guess that since we already have bachelors degrees, would be RNs at that point, and would be a part of a masters program that we would be better off. I don't think he meant to say anything about our chances of getting jobs after completing the masters program. Thoughts?

calinicumurse · Oct 23, 2013

I believe he is only referring to those who are looking for part time or per diem work as RNs after the first year of the program. Many people work as RNs through the last 2 years, and I have heard from friends who are nurses (with BSNs) that their hospitals are less likely to hire an RN with an associates degree instead of a bachelors. However, I would guess that since we already have bachelors degrees, would be RNs at that point, and would be a part of a masters program that we would be better off. I don't think he meant to say anything about our chances of getting jobs after completing the masters program. Thoughts?

After re-reading what he wrote I think you're right, as he mentions having trouble after the first year. But I would still think that if the local hospitals know these applicants are currently enrolled at UCSF's program, they'd understand the caliber of learning they've received and will receive and would treat them as any other RN with a bachelors, as opposed to aligning them with associates... Weird!

frank_sf · Oct 23, 2013

Hello,

Sorry for the confusion. Yes MeghanRyan, I was just referring to those who are still in the process of getting their masters. It will be great if UCSF implements the same curriculum as Columbia University. At Columbia, the students obtain a bachelors in the first year and they continue with their masters after that.

To n.a. norcal; hospitals are required to hire RN's that hold a bachelors degree in nursing. However, there are some non profits and community based clinics that are still accepting RN's with an associates degree.

I guess I am just concern with something hasn't happened yet. I don't even know if I'm gonna make it to the first interview, lol. Just putting my thoughts and fears out there.

samdaman · Oct 24, 2013

Hey guys. In regards to my last post....the odds this year are actually pretty good! My class submitted 600 applicants with only 57 students accepted. So 300 applicants and about 50 spots is way better for you guys!

In terms of the concern....fewer applicants means a smaller pool of high caliber applicants to choose from. A larger pool allows the admissions people a better probability of picking and choosing from the best applicants. Let's do the math: Top 10% of 600 applicants is about 60 students. Top 10% of 300 students is about 30 students. By having a smaller applicant pool, you have to then allow less qualified applicants to be accepted. This also increases the possibility of students dropping out due to the chance of not being able to keep up with the rigors of the course. I know there are some major assumptions here...but there's some logic to this all. In a perfect world, all 300 applicants are all great and perfect and excellent students....but I'm sure there are folks who will send in an application that truly don't qualify but will try anyway.

Kuriin, BSN, RN · Oct 24, 2013

If I don't get into UCSF this year, it's God's way of saying I should just stick with my current nursing program. You guys do make me a little nervous when you say that people are hiring only those who hold a BSN but would not hire a MSN. I don't mind putting in my time to pay the dues, I just can't see myself cleaning people's butts every day for the rest of my life.

At this point, I kind have stopped looking at the gdapply website. UCSF at this point is just no longer a priority, hah.

Rooster825 · Oct 24, 2013

Hey Samdaman,

I'd like to chime in in response to your question. I did apply this year as well but am also concerned about a few aspects of the program. First, when I attended an information session myself and a group of students were told by faculty member that if we did not speak Spanish fluently, that it would be a waste of our time to apply to the FNP specialty. I was pretty taken aback by this, as I certainly know Spanish language proficiency is important given the enormous need for FNP's to serve the Hispanic patient population in California. With that said, I thought making Spanish fluency a black or white determining criteria was a bit extreme. I have taken many Spanish courses throughout my years in school and I emphasized that I am continually working on my Spanish skills. I am conversational in my skill level (but not even close to fluent) and the faculty member also did not speak Spanish, which I found to be interesting. However, it seemed by his/her response that I shouldn't bother to apply even though I have tremendous amounts of healthcare experience with underserved populations as well as a high GPA, years of healthcare volunteerism, etc. I decided to apply anyway because when someone tells me I can't do something, I tend to want to prove them wrong! :) What percent of the FNP class would you say speaks fluent Spanish?

Cost is also a factor. $55,000 for the RN alone is very high, particularly given that SF is a very high cost area in which to live so housing costs and other living expenses will also be pricey. As UCSF is a public institution, I would expect costs to be lower than private schools. I also agree with the previous poster that said the lack of the BSN is a concern as it might prevent the ability to find a job for the second and third years of the program.

In addition to that, as the NP profession is changing to a DNP as the terminal degree (recommended by 2015), it is hard to sign up for a program that ultimately ends in the FNP with no DNP option if you wanted to continue on in your education. To be competitive in the job market, I would like to have the DNP, although the transition for the whole profession itself is one that I'm not all too excited about. With the changes in healthcare that have recently taken affect, it's clear NP's, particularly in primary care settings, are needed NOW. Changing a 3 year degree to a 5 year degree seems to me to delay the ability of new NP's to contribute to the gaps in healthcare in an expeditious fashion. Plus, if I wanted to spend that much time in school, I think med school might be worth the extra residency time for the monetary rewards down the line.

Would love your comments/thoughts on any of this!