University of San Francisco BSN-DNP

SFLady · May 22, 2011

Good Luck with everything. I'm currently in the program and my stats when I applied a year ago as a transfer student was 3.5 gpa, which is average nowadays but I have a lot of work experience and had my personal statement revised at least 10 times before sending in. I think if you have a compelling essay, the university weighs that more than gpa. Let me know how it goes!

Byrnsgrl · Jul 25, 2011

SFLady, how do you like the program? What are you planning on doing with the degree? I just got accepted for Fall 2011 and am starting to have doubts (thanks to my Nurse Manager) that it will be useful. So I have been sitting on my acceptance letter waiting for a sign...

Any advice would be helpful!

SFLady · Jul 25, 2011

It's true that the economy isn't helping and with the saturation of those wanting to get into the nursing field, it makes the job search competition that more pressing. Currently, there are few places offering new grad job offerings but what's so great with USF is having three years of clinical training versus two that are offered elsewhere. Most of my friends that have graduated from the program have found jobs. Not all work in San Francisco though.

As for me, I currently work in a private doctor's office and hope to continue working there if I can't find work in the hospital. I ultimately want to work in derm surgery which is the specialty I work in now. It's definitely good to know what you want to do as a nurse so that way you can network with as many people as you can while in the program. I believe USF provides that. But its an investment for sure. Pricey school. There will always be self doubt but I believe once you're in the program, you build such a bond with your classmates, it provides a great supportive system. But also note, you would need to know for sure you want to be a nurse. I worked in the medical/healthcare field for 6 years before deciding to be a nurse. And even with all the back talk from a minority of patients, poor insurance reimbursements, frustration with drug coverage and being on your feet for hours, you'll meet people who'll amaze you, inspire you, and will warm your heart that'll outweigh everything else. Hope this helps!

Byrnsgrl · Jul 25, 2011

Oh, maybe I should clarify--I'm a nurse (have been for 4 1/2 years) and got accepted into the DNP program (but starting with my BSN). So maybe we are talking about 2 different things :)

CCRNDiva, BSN, RN · Jul 28, 2011

SFLady, how do you like the program? What are you planning on doing with the degree? I just got accepted for Fall 2011 and am starting to have doubts (thanks to my Nurse Manager) that it will be useful. So I have been sitting on my acceptance letter waiting for a sign...
Any advice would be helpful!

What concentration would you study (ie ACNP, FNP, PNP etc)?

I hate to say this, but I would take your nurse manager's words with a grain of salt unless she has completed a similar program or degree. I say this because 7yrs ago I received similar discouragement from my unit director when I expressed a desire to complete my BSN as a new ADN grad. She told me that she was a diploma RN and I didn't need a BSN to advance as a nurse. She also said that she thought I was taking on too much as a new nurse. Recently, when one of my coworker/friends told her she was applying to FNP programs, she discouraged her as well ("why would you want to apply to school now? You're single and without children, this is the time for you to enjoy being out of school.") I've heard other reports of nurse managers discouraging staff from applying to graduate programs or even writing negative recommendation letters. I've since learned not to share my academic goals with management.

Unit managers are responsible for doing what's best for their units not what's best for their nurses' professional development. A former unit director told my coworker that many managers see the professional advancement of their nurses as detrimental to their budget. A nurse going back to school is less flexible or available for overtime. Most nurses looking to advance their education will look to advance professionally (look for another job) thus requiring their managers to replace them. Turnover hurts their bottom line no matter what the reason. Some even feel threatened by nurses obtaining higher levels of education especially when a subordinate desires a higher level of education held by the manager. At my facility, it is not uncommon for nurses who obtain MSNs to find their jobs eliminated during budget cuts while our executive nursing leadership do not hold graduate nursing degrees have remained in their positions.

I encourage you to do what's best for you. I have decided against a DNP program for now for my own personal reasons after evaluating the programs available to me. If the DNP program fits your needs and provides the education you desire, I say go for it! UCSF has an excellent reputation and the competition for admission to NP programs is quite intense I would hate for you to decline acceptance based on your unit manager's recommendation only to be denied admission should you decide to apply later.

Pinky687 · Nov 26, 2011

Good Luck with everything. I'm currently in the program and my stats when I applied a year ago as a transfer student was 3.5 gpa, which is average nowadays but I have a lot of work experience and had my personal statement revised at least 10 times before sending in. I think if you have a compelling essay, the university weighs that more than gpa. Let me know how it goes!

I know the school says it accepts new grads, but is this true for any of your classmates? Trying to gauge my chance of getting in with only 6 month experience :)

Byrnsgrl · Nov 28, 2011

There actually several new grads...but they are all new grads from USF

Byrnsgrl · Nov 28, 2011

sorry, meant "there are"

josiervitale · Jul 25, 2016

I am applying to USF this coming January right out of a BSN program. I understand that many are worrisome about that move but I have a 3.7 GPA as well as am a Student Nurse Tech and will be working through the entire program. Could I ask anyone that's been accepted what your GPA and work experience was? Thanks!