UCSF MEPN 2021

Nursing Students NP Students

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Hi, I searched for a thread for the UCSF MEPN 2021 cohort, but did see any. I hope this help. I am looking to apply for the CNM/WHNP speciality. I wish everyone one of us all the best n our application.

5 minutes ago, Jack Robins said:

you have to put everything in perspective. What is the other school?

I would not give up UCSF for any other school regardless of the cost. UCSF is a great school many opportunities.

Specializes in Health Policy.
7 hours ago, LS2 said:

Hello! Deciding between UCSF and another school. Current MEPN students please share your thoughts on program? Is UCSF worth the expensive tuition (primarily 1st year)?

Thanks!

I have gone through their MEPN program and I am currently in my Masters portion for Health Policy. It was very tough but I did receive an amazing education. The faculty is super understanding of life events and respect their students. I’m not sure who you’re deciding between but I wouldn’t change my education for anything. Congratulations on getting two acceptances 

Thanks everyone appreciate you all taking the time to respond! Very helpful.

I’ve heard it’d be difficult to step into the APRN role after the completion of the MSN program without any RN experience. Do you all agree?

Other school is UCLA by the end of the program I would be a RN with a Clinical Nurse Leader and Public Health certificate. So essentially I’d have to complete a post masters program to become an APRN.

 

Thanks again!

Specializes in Psych.

I have heard that it is difficult to transition from an experienced RN to a provider role (NP).

I also think you'd have to really do some soul searching as the programs are very different. With UCSF you have already chosen your specialty. Do you feel confident about that specialty and wanting to be a provider in that specialty? Or, would you rather do UCLA work as an RN a while and explore where your passions lie before specializing?

Yes there will be a huge learning curve when transitioning to practice as APRN but I believe there is a going to be a huge learning curve regardless. So, for me, I would think about what role I ultimately wanted  to do. HTH! Congrats either way!

Specializes in UCSF MEPN Student, Peds NP Track.
9 hours ago, LS2 said:

Hello! Deciding between UCSF and another school. Current MEPN students please share your thoughts on program? Is UCSF worth the expensive tuition (primarily 1st year)?

Thanks!

Hi! I’m a current MEPN student (pediatric primary care track), so I thought I’d respond with my experiences and perspectives. 
1. Pros - the program is small and intimate, which allows for community and camaraderie in the class. UCSF does all the heavy lifting in terms of finding clinical placements for students (which can be chaotic at times), the SON is working diligently to infuse social justice/structural competency/health equity into all of its programs to prepare students to provide equitable care, direct access to the APRN program after the first year, and easy access to opportunities during the MEPN year (teaching assistantships, research assistantships, work study, etc.). A really pivotal point is that it’s UCSF. I have friends who work in the Bay Area and were educated in Columbia’s MDE program and they only hire UCSF NP grads due to the rigor of the MEPN and MS programs. 

2. Cons - the program is in a state of transition currently, which could be really advantageous for students in classes after ours. Classes have been remote learning for didactic session (with some clinicals having to be on virtual simulations due to Covid surges) - hopefully this will not be an issue next year. The SON has not planned programming for students at all, so students are responsible for planning their own social events and building community in their class. Lastly, the biggest downfall of the program is the fact that you only have a certificate of completion at the end of the first year. This really stunts your ability to work in acute care as a RN during the master’s years. They are working on a work-around for this, but at the moment, it’s a big con. 
 

In general, I’m super grateful I’ve had the opportunity to be MEPN. Yes, the program could have been run a bit better (there is a new director that is really shaking things up and trying to make them better), but that’s really all nursing schools. UCLA is an amazing school, but when it comes to health care education, UCSF is at the top, so congrats on getting into both! 

Specializes in Health Policy.
1 hour ago, rtheriot said:

Hi! I’m a current MEPN student (pediatric primary care track), so I thought I’d respond with my experiences and perspectives. 
1. Pros - the program is small and intimate, which allows for community and camaraderie in the class. UCSF does all the heavy lifting in terms of finding clinical placements for students (which can be chaotic at times), the SON is working diligently to infuse social justice/structural competency/health equity into all of its programs to prepare students to provide equitable care, direct access to the APRN program after the first year, and easy access to opportunities during the MEPN year (teaching assistantships, research assistantships, work study, etc.). A really pivotal point is that it’s UCSF. I have friends who work in the Bay Area and were educated in Columbia’s MDE program and they only hire UCSF NP grads due to the rigor of the MEPN and MS programs. 

2. Cons - the program is in a state of transition currently, which could be really advantageous for students in classes after ours. Classes have been remote learning for didactic session (with some clinicals having to be on virtual simulations due to Covid surges) - hopefully this will not be an issue next year. The SON has not planned programming for students at all, so students are responsible for planning their own social events and building community in their class. Lastly, the biggest downfall of the program is the fact that you only have a certificate of completion at the end of the first year. This really stunts your ability to work in acute care as a RN during the master’s years. They are working on a work-around for this, but at the moment, it’s a big con. 
 

In general, I’m super grateful I’ve had the opportunity to be MEPN. Yes, the program could have been run a bit better (there is a new director that is really shaking things up and trying to make them better), but that’s really all nursing schools. UCLA is an amazing school, but when it comes to health care education, UCSF is at the top, so congrats on getting into both! 

Hey! Hope your MEPN year is going well! I just wanted to reply to say you totally can work as an acute RN during your masters. I am in a New Grad RN residency program and I’m in my first year of my Master’s portion. I actually got 3 offers when I was applying. You can absolutely work as an acute RN. I also think it depends on your specialty. If employers know you are going to become an NP and leave them in 2 years it might be more difficult. However, it is possible to still work as an in-patient RN with a nursing diploma. Good luck on the rest of your MEPN year!! 

Hi former MEPNs/now MSNs! Do you have a sense of how many of your classmates work part-time as RNs during the MSN program? Is it pretty easy to get a per diem/PT job in the Bay Area as an RN who does not have a BSN/ABSN/degree related to nursing? Do you know what the pay looks like for those jobs?

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