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?

Specifically with our Cal state Universities that offer APRN options and several other mid-west schools I've shopped, I would be saving $20-30k if I went the ABSN route & then went on to obtain a masters from a CSU with the an APRN option (CRNA, NP, etc.). I'm getting in the latter end of the early adulthood years and I really want to start making a comfortable income in a career I would be proud to represent. The fact we have our foot in the door should give us the confidence to explore our options and out weigh investment decisions. It's great that USD and USF are preparing us for CNL roles, but I do not want to be a career nurse manager or administrator, I personally love clinical medicine and the powerful friendships I make with my patients. A role as a future nurse educator or APRN works for me. I see the responsibilities of charge nurses and in truth no hospital would ever higher a new grad in a CNL role (nurse manager, etc.). For those that already have manager experience from a different career path the CNL role maybe an excellent fit. But I'm a clinician and I love medical science too much to leave it. I also want to go back into doing CCT's once I earn my degree and eventually take an unpaid sabbatical working for MSF.

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An excellent discussion on the CNL role:https://allnurses.com/clinical-nurse-specialists/what-do-you-569801.html

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Hi everyone!

I interviewed for USD last year and it was a 2 day process as well. They had a welcome session on the first day and then broke us up into groups to give us an opportunity to talk to current students. Then they had a nice reception at the end. Everyone I think interviewed on Friday at different times and they also had financial aid workshops/tours of the campus that day.

good luck!

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
NURSE_AtléticoMadrid said:
Specifically with our Cal state Universities that offer APRN options and several other mid-west schools I've shopped, I would be saving $20-30k if I went the ABSN route & then went on to obtain a masters from a CSU with the an APRN option (CRNA, NP, etc.). I'm getting in the latter end of the early adulthood years and I really want to start making a comfortable income in a career I would be proud to represent. The fact we have our foot in the door should give us the confidence to explore our options and out weigh investment decisions. It's great that USD and USF are preparing us for CNL roles, but I do not want to be a career nurse manager or administrator, I personally love clinical medicine and the powerful friendships I make with my patients. A role as a future nurse educator or APRN works for me. I see the responsibilities of charge nurses and in truth no hospital would ever higher a new grad in a CNL role (nurse manager, etc.). For those that already have manager experience from a different career path the CNL role maybe an excellent fit. But I'm a clinician and I love medical science too much to leave it. I also want to go back into doing CCT's once I earn my degree and eventually take an unpaid sabbatical working for MSF.

Wow your goals are really inspirational. I can definitely sense your passion about patient care, and I'm sure you'll convey it well in your upcoming USD interview! Which ABSN programs have you applied to if you don't mind me asking? I've applied to three ABSN programs so far with a similar concept in mind. If I were to go the ABSN route, I would see if my future employer would help fund my graduate education. Also, I would be able to start making great income much faster, gain plenty of experience, and figure out which type of APRN role I'd be interested in next. While it is nice to obtain an MSN degree, employers aren't going to hire us as CNLs are put us in charge nurse roles, so that's another thing to consider being that we won't be able to take the CNL certification test until we have experience under our belt (so I've heard from other MEPN CNL grads). It's almost if the ABSN would be much more functional, but at the same time it's so tempting to pursue graduate education as it's natural progression. BSN + experience > MEPN with no experience as far as obtaining a job goes from what I've seen here in the Bay Area.

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jz16 said:
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.

I know flights to and from East Coast is expensive. I'm flying to Boston next week for an interview and flight itself is close to $400.

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
cali_21 said:
Hi everyone!

I interviewed for USD last year and it was a 2 day process as well. They had a welcome session on the first day and then broke us up into groups to give us an opportunity to talk to current students. Then they had a nice reception at the end. Everyone I think interviewed on Friday at different times and they also had financial aid workshops/tours of the campus that day.

good luck!

Hey cali_21 ! Thanks for chiming in and sharing your experience from last year. Do you happen to know if we are allowed to bring a plus one to any of these events?How is the program going thus far for you?

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Hi Everyone, I just found out about this thread yesterday and it has been very informational. Congratulations to all those invited for the interview. I will be there as well and I look forward to meeting you all in person. I will be flying in from Sacramento, CA. Also, for those who will be flying in from the East Coast, you might want to consider El Nino weather and fly in a day early to avoid flight cancellation/last minute issues. I heard from a current student that the interview events are very fun. I am both excited and nervous. I plan on getting a rental car, so I am open to picking someone (or a few people) up and carpooling, as long as you are not too far away.

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@ jz16

I will be flying in from Sacramento, CA. I do plan on getting a hotel and rental car. I can get a double queen room and you can drive with me to the event on both days if that will save you some cash. I bet the cost of your flight alone is the price I will be paying for my flight, car and hotel since you are coming from DC. So, let me know.

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@Alawani87, I just sent you a personal message! Let me know if you didn't get it or can't respond!

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Np! I think its an invite only thing but you should ask them just to make sure. And I actually decided on attending a different program so I did not end up going to USD.

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@alawani87, i just sent you a personal message! Let me know if you didn't get it or can't respond!

got it. I just responded.

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@Cali_21 its a pleasure to meet you! Are you happy with the school you chose? What school are you attending? Did you come into your program with healthcare experience? Have you had your first practicum yet? Pros/cons of your program so far? Any seeds of wisdom you are willing to give/share? Salud

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