UCSF MEPN 2023

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Hi Everyone!

I thought I’d create a thread since applications for the June 2023 start, should be opening soon.  Would be great to discuss the process, dates, etc.  

Best of luck! -Megan 

On 8/9/2022 at 6:29 PM, Nursee2be said:

Hello @mmCA,

Unfortunately, we're in the same boat as our current and previous cohorts -  no updates in regards to what the DNP switch entails. It's all been very frustrating...

I do not know when applications will open and how your cycle will be affected. Faculty and staff have been quiet about any updates or changes, we suspect they're still figuring it out truthfully. 

We are more than halfway through, in week 7 and 3/4 weeks to go and then we get 2 weeks off before jumping back into the Fall quarter. Honestly speaking, it has been a whirlwind of emotions. From being mentally and physically exhausted to being overwhelmed by so much info and learning. I finally figured out my routine about 3 weeks in which sounds about right for my classmates too (LOL).

I will say when applications do open - take your time to thoroughly read and answer the prompts/statements fully. Even the "optional" ones. Your grades can get you through the mix of applicants - but that personal statement and those prompts are what get you an interview. Really speak on why you chose your specialty and why UCSF. Hope that helps! ? 

Thank you so much for taking the time to offer your insights. So appreciated. 

It sounds like the first quarter has been super crazy. I'm sure you're looking forward to that first break - a chance to catch your breath, sleep and get your mind in order for the next quarter. I'm sure you're doing great!

And thanks for your advice on our applications. I feel like I've been writing my goal statement and personal history statement forever, even though I don't yet know this year's prompts! Fingers crossed they make the announcement and open the application in the next week or two. I'm so worried they're going to put the MEPN program on hold for the coming year (while they sort out curriculum/degree changes) or add prerequisites that will prevent many of us from applying this year.  

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Hi Everyone! I live in Marin County, and I'm applying to UCSF's FNP program.  I haven't seen any update on their website for any changes to the program yet. After reading this thread, would it only be MEPN programs, or would all programs be affected? 

I appreciate everyone's insight to the application. I have written and re-written my essays several times. It's very stressful. UCSF is a great institution and I wish everyone luck on their applications! 

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Hi all,

I just read this on the MEPN site this morning: "During this period of review, there is no application period for our Master's Entry Program in Nursing in fall 2022."

Does this mean there won't be an application cycle this round? I have been working hard to apply to this program for many years and am a bit shocked/disappointed if this is the case?

 

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Uff. This is heartbreaking. I've been checking the website every day. My read is no fall 2023 MEPN cohort. Sending hugs to everyone feeling crushed by this news.

On 8/14/2022 at 6:46 PM, mmCA said:

Thank you so much for taking the time to offer your insights. So appreciated. 

It sounds like the first quarter has been super crazy. I'm sure you're looking forward to that first break - a chance to catch your breath, sleep and get your mind in order for the next quarter. I'm sure you're doing great!

And thanks for your advice on our applications. I feel like I've been writing my goal statement and personal history statement forever, even though I don't yet know this year's prompts! Fingers crossed they make the announcement and open the application in the next week or two. I'm so worried they're going to put the MEPN program on hold for the coming year (while they sort out curriculum/degree changes) or add prerequisites that will prevent many of us from applying this year.  

@Nursee2be any chance they made any kind of announcement to your cohort? I'm curious whether they've given you guys more clarity and/or talked about the future of the MEPN program. Thanks for any insight you can share!

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Hi all, this is devastating news. Where was this announced? I looked into the website and cannot find it. 

 

Thanks!

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Specializes in Psychiatry/ED.

I am insanely curious about the reason why they decided to close off this year. 

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Specializes in N/A.

It is completely devastating.  Especially having planned the last several years around this application cycle. 
 

It is listed on the main MEPN webpage. 

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Specializes in Prenatal.

Wow. Disappointing! This is my 3rd year for Statistics meaning I will need to go ahead and look into Statistics to retake now in the Fall :(  

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I encourage everyone to email (MODERATOR EDIT OF NAME) and any other contacts you may have at UCSF. I think it's critical that they hear from each person who has worked tirelessly toward applying to the MEPN program and the reasons UCSF's MEPN is important to you, including your ties to the Bay Area and the patient population here (if applicable). I think we'll hear more from UCSF about its decision to cancel this MEPN cycle, but if we have a chance of them bringing the program back, we should let them know that it matters to us, to our families and to our future patients. Thanks, all! 

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There is an info session for the MSN programs in mid Sept. Maybe they'll touch upon these changes then

https://nursing.UCSF.edu/admissions/information-sessions-and-recruiting-events

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On 8/29/2022 at 12:00 PM, mmCA said:

Uff. This is heartbreaking. I've been checking the website every day. My read is no fall 2023 MEPN cohort. Sending hugs to everyone feeling crushed by this news.

@Nursee2be any chance they made any kind of announcement to your cohort? I'm curious whether they've given you guys more clarity and/or talked about the future of the MEPN program. Thanks for any insight you can share!

Hey all!

I just heard about this recently from a fellow classmate. Faculty and staff have mentioned absolutely NOTHING. Truthfully, communication has been very bare bones since we started the program back in June and there has been many frustrations along the lines of how the DNP will affect my class and years before/after me .

I’m gutted for you all that UCSF (for now) decided to hold off on applications for the next year. But I’m not surprised given their lack of communication and probably poor planning in getting the program sorted out. I hope they release more info to you all soon. 

Apologies in advance if this isn’t helpful- but if you don’t want to wait another year, I recommend applying to other programs. While UCSF is ranked a top program- at the end of the day every nurse and NP I’ve talked to has said the school you go to does not dictate the type of nurse or NP you’ll be. I truly feel like everything I’ve learned so far- I can at any other nursing program. 
However, if UCSF has been your top choice and dream school since the beginning- then of course wait to apply when they open next year. Use the year to further expand your experiences or take this year to get more involved in the community (both on a social or health level). I don’t want to say use it as a “gap year” but essentially another year to make yourself the strongest applicant you can be. 
 

Again, I can’t imagine how this must feel but I am excited to know there will be passionate individuals who I hope to work with in the near future. Best of luck!

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Specializes in Pulmonary & Cardiothoracic Critical Care.

Unfortunately, some of the UCSF MEPN pause of admissions might be related to nuts and bolts in external regulation requirements.  I’ll do my best to try to explain: 

All nursing colleges need to be accredited by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN -east) via the Commission on Collegiate Nurse Education (CCNE). (Sidebar, AACN -West refers to the American Association of Critical Care Nurses - which does not accredit college programs)  Specifically, this might be related to accreditation and a very real fear that APRN certification agencies (“boards”) MIGHT mandate a doctorate to sit for certification exam … (currently all APRN certification bodies accept a masters or higher to sit for an exam … we haven’t seen the organization that accredits the boards (ABSNC) move towards requiring doctoral degrees, but in theory they could at some unknown point in the future since AACN -east has already been advocating this for some time.

 

What does this mean for you as a student? Picture this: you complete the MEPN program with your MS degree, you prep to test for your NP, CNS or CNM boards when you’re told you can’t take the test because you have a masters and not a doctorate. You’d have to spend $ for a doctoral degree or not take the certification which means you won’t be able practice. 

 

A few things to point out: 
 

-AACN -east has indicated doctoral degrees should be required for advanced practice as the entry requirement in a report around July 2022 and one section states: 

“The report also calls for engaging APRN certification organizations to build momentum for requiring the DNP for entry into advanced practice nursing and for establishing academic-practice partnerships focused on DNP education and practice.”

(https://www.aacnnursing.org/News-Information/News/View/ArticleId/25226/New-Report-on-DNP-Education-2022)

So the next question is this, why not offer a direct entry doctoral program instead of a direct entry masters program ? 
 

- Currently, no such direct entry doctoral program exists in the United States. 
- According to accreditation requirements, in order to take doctoral coursework you need a minimum of a ASN or BSN prior to enrollment.  You cannot have a degree in another field and take doctoral coursework. 
- In theory the school could offer this but they’d really be risking their accreditation status and AACN -east could put their accreditation in jeopardy. 
 

UCSF SON might be a bit late to the DNP conversion party, which likely explains the knee-jerk reaction we’ve seen. A few other schools have already made this transition years ago … off the top of my head I’m thinking about UMB and UW, I’m sure their are others. 
 

In my view, pausing the admission for MEPN was the right decision. CSU and community colleges are set up to educate prelicensure students (albeit in a saturated market in the Bay Area it’s tough) so that might be a route to explore and then apply to the APRN program of your choice. Also, UCSF is a graduate school only, its charter does not allow for granting of undergraduate degrees. I thought perhaps a joint degree with Berkley might be an option but unsure if that’s a realistic solution. 

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