UCSF pros/cons: current students and grads please respond!

[hemicoffee]

Hi all,

I'm currently torn between really wanting to go to UCSF (home for me) and a really lesser known, but still good school on the east coast.

For those who are currently in the UCSF MEPN program, what do you think of it? What are its pros and cons?

More specifically, what do you think of the professors? Are they good? Do you think that you're getting the individual time and attention you need to be a good nurse? At my interview, I head from a current MEPN student that the nursing shortage was affecting UCSF's teaching staff, in that most of their classes are taught by only one or two professors and that some of their classes have even had to be cancelled because there were no professors to teach them. Is this true? I fear that if I'm paying so much money to go to school, there won't be professors to teach me.

I'm coming from a small liberal arts college and really like that small ratio of professors to students thing. I'm under the impression that UCSF is not the place for that, but even the larger school has its advantages. Any thoughts?

What are the ratios of students to professors for the internships (pre-RN) and in the master's years? Do you feel that this program prepares you to be a competent nurse?

I know that a lot of nursing schools have sub-specialties. Specifically, I'm interested in knowing whether or not UCSF has a palliative care subspecialty. Does anyone know?

I knowt his post has been scattered, but I'm trying to make a decision. Any input about any pros and cons would be sooo helpful! Thank you so much!