University of San Diego MEPN 2016

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Hi all!!! I know it is early but I thought I would start this thread. Is anyone else getting their information ready and applying for Fall 2016?

I got my invitation today too! I live in San Jose. My invitation was dated Jan 4th, it took almost a whole week to get to me.

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I got denied :( oh well

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Specializes in Anesthesia.

Sorry to hear FatimaUrquilla. I'm sure you'll get into another great program. Just keep applying and good things will happen!

For those who received an interview invitation, I looked at previous cohorts' threads, and it looks like we will be assigned an interview day (thursday or friday). Thursday will be an evening meet and greet with applicants, faculty, and maybe current students (try to make a good impression) and also an overview of the program. Interviews are individual and there will be one professor and one student alternating taking notes/asking questions. Friday will be tours of the facilities and other student interviews.

For the record, I got this info from the 2014 USD MEPN thread. Lots may have changed since then, but hopefully it's relatively the same so we know what to expect and can begin preparing. If there are any current or former students that wanna chime in, anything is greatly appreciated ;)

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I hope my interview will on the Thursday and in the morning.

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
NanceN said:
I hope my interview will on the Thursday and in the morning.

Same here. That way I can relieve some pressure and anxiety and just enjoy the events!

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Hi guys!

For those of you interviewing, anyone flying in or have any advice regarding flights / hotels / places to stay? I have a cousin in Carlsbad and a few friends in LA but I'm not sure how much that helps me. I've never been to CA so I'm pretty clueless here

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
jz16 said:
Hi guys!

For those of you interviewing, anyone flying in or have any advice regarding flights / hotels / places to stay? I have a cousin in Carlsbad and a few friends in LA but I'm not sure how much that helps me. I've never been to CA so I'm pretty clueless here

Where are you coming from? I'm up in norcal but have been to SD before. Carlsbad isn't too far if you wanted to save money on a hotel and stay with your cousin. Around a half hour. LA is almost a couple hours away, so I'd try to stay somewhere closer. Southwest Airlines has a deal that started today if you're near one of the airports that they use. Right now, they have round trips as low as $160 to San Diego.

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I'd be coming from DC, so it's been a frustrating experience to find affordable flights / hotels! I'll definitely ask around but am not super close with the people I know who live there. If USD wasn't one of my top choices, I probably wouldn't go... But something just keeps convincing me! Damn it San Diego. The struggle continues.

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JZ16 I just flew back from DC. I know what it is like stepping into a new city. But SD is not as metropolitan as our nations capitol you'll need to book hotel+rental car (buy full insurance, SOCAL Drivers drive horribly mad!)+airfare. I did my research on the most economical bid for the three and used the website AirGorilla. Buy your ticket between now and the end of the week, checking everyday to see how the prices change. Trust me, they do. You can fly into SD airport or Ontario LAX, the only reason why I recommend the latter is because there are hardly any long lines or congestion out at Ontario LAX. But its your call. Did you apply to GWU/W2 program? We might have met already. Cheers

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@NURSE_AtleticoMadrid,

Thanks for your advice! I'll definitely check that out. I did not apply to GW, but I do work at the hospital so if you've been around then we definitely might have met! I'm sure I'd love USD, but at this point I'm just not sure if it's worth it to make the journey over because of all the expenses (especially if I got in :eek:). I got into UVA which is a really great school, so I'm having the hardest time deciding. Stressful times!

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I know how you feel JZ16, I have been accepted to several ABSN programs. Three of the bunch being more economical. Would I rather spend $30k for a 12month program or over $100k for an attractive California school. $100k for a nursing program, is unsettling. That's an investment that is more expensive that most PA programs. But I'm very glad to be part of the sample size of interviewed candidates. It'll be a valuable experience, USD has been my top choice for sometime, but the longer I read the discussions between a ABSN vs MEPN, in the end a new grad nurse is still a nurse regardless of those degree differences . I've talked to two HR Reps from local hospitals and they indicated to me that the selection process varies, but both reassured me that it would be easier to market myself as a BSN grad versus the latter. I think we all want a masters degree because it is the next step for us, but in this profession a BSN is showing its unique high points. Especially from an economical factor. Since you have clinical experience, what is it that you do? I've worked in EMS and have done Critical Care Transports. Could you check in with the HR staff at GW and let me (us) know what their opinion is on the BSN vs MEPN debate? Thank you!

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Specializes in Anesthesia.

NURSE_AtléticoMadrid, I'm in a similar boat as you regarding ABSN and MEPN programs. It's been tough to decide especially because the outcome of the MEPN degree is typically the same as we would be non-experienced new graduate registered nurses. It feels like natural progression for us to wanna grab that master's degree but I'm also wondering if it's really worth it. I don't think we would be able to test for the CNL certification until a year after we graduate either. However, I do like how we will have the opportunity to complete a post-master's certification program (NP) down the line since we'd already be done with our MSN's. Here in the Bay Area, I have seen both ELMSN and BSN grads struggle to find a job and they often relocate to obtain 1-2 years of experience.

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