Which route is most ideal

Wow, very similar story to me. And I think we are in the same area! (I am in Tucson). I was a nursing assistant the first time I went to school and was going to go into nursing but decided on social work instead, got my BSW and worked as a social worker for 10 years. As I was entering into a MSW program, I decided that I really wanted to go back to nursing.

Now I am back in school for nursing. I also considered the ABSN program at ASU, but ultimately decided on the MEPN at the UA as I didn't want to move. However, as I worked through my prerequisites, I found the concurrent enrollment program (CEP) through the community college, as you described. I don't know if you are aware, but they also have a CEP with Grand Canyon University to obtain a MSN instead of the BSN as with the other universities. My community college is Pima, but if you are in Phoenix, the Maricopa schools also have this GCU CEP.

I just went through the application cycle and applied to the Pima/GCU CEP and to the MEPN program. I was accepted to both programs but decided to accept the Pima/GCU seat and turned down the MEPN seat. The Pima/GCU program it is far less expensive than the MEPN (less than 30k for both the community college and the full MSN program through GCU combined vs almost 45k for the MEPN), and also because it is a less intense program and I feel I will be better prepared to work as a nurse. Not to mention that the reputation of Pima graduates is much better than the UA graduates in the nursing community here in Tucson (at least this is what I have repeatedly heard).

Just an FYI, if you decide that a BSN is more efficient for you and you happen to be in Tucson, NAU has a traditional BSN program offered in Tucson as well. It is an excellent program. I would actually really love to attend that program (I did apply and am waiting to hear back), however I think may end up keeping the Pima/GCU seat either way as I think it would be smarter for me to obtain the MSN over the BSN.

Anyway, feel free to PM of you have question! I have really spent the last 2 years of my life going through this same process and decaying making and did a TON of research into these options!

Re-reading your post, it seems you are in the Phoenix area. In which case I would definitely recommend the GCU CEP with the community college. You bypass the waitlist there and still ultimately end up with the master's degree. And GCU offers a traditional MSN, while the MEPN is technically a MS-RN degree.

I guess i’m too new to private message you, but yeah I do live in the Phoenix area. I just went to an info session at the community college and found out about the GCU program, it definitely does sound like a great potential option, but I need to do some more research into the school. The ASU Post bac program would get me through the quickest, assuming I can get in and would give me a chance to find a masters program down the road that fits more with what i’d ideally want to focus in, but I haven’t done a lot of research to see what other schools have to offer as far as concentrations. I may also be partial to ASU because I work as an enrollment advisor for some of their other online programs.

Oh yes, I can see why ASU might be a good option for you... especially if you would get a tuition break as an employee? That would be great as I know the ABSN is also quite expensive! Good luck with whatever you choose!

On 4/10/2019 at 11:33 AM, araew2129 said:

Wow, very similar story to me. And I think we are in the same area! (I am in Tucson). I was a nursing assistant the first time I went to school and was going to go into nursing but decided on social work instead, got my BSW and worked as a social worker for 10 years. As I was entering into a MSW program, I decided that I really wanted to go back to nursing.

Now I am back in school for nursing. I also considered the ABSN program at ASU, but ultimately decided on the MEPN at the UA as I didn't want to move. However, as I worked through my prerequisites, I found the concurrent enrollment program (CEP) through the community college, as you described. I don't know if you are aware, but they also have a CEP with Grand Canyon University to obtain a MSN instead of the BSN as with the other universities. My community college is Pima, but if you are in Phoenix, the Maricopa schools also have this GCU CEP.

I just went through the application cycle and applied to the Pima/GCU CEP and to the MEPN program. I was accepted to both programs but decided to accept the Pima/GCU seat and turned down the MEPN seat. The Pima/GCU program it is far less expensive than the MEPN (less than 30k for both the community college and the full MSN program through GCU combined vs almost 45k for the MEPN), and also because it is a less intense program and I feel I will be better prepared to work as a nurse. Not to mention that the reputation of Pima graduates is much better than the UA graduates in the nursing community here in Tucson (at least this is what I have repeatedly heard).

Just an FYI, if you decide that a BSN is more efficient for you and you happen to be in Tucson, NAU has a traditional BSN program offered in Tucson as well. It is an excellent program. I would actually really love to attend that program (I did apply and am waiting to hear back), however I think may end up keeping the Pima/GCU seat either way as I think it would be smarter for me to obtain the MSN over the BSN.

Anyway, feel free to PM of you have question! I have really spent the last 2 years of my life going through this same process and decaying making and did a TON of research into these options!

Hi, there! This is so similar to what I have been contemplating on doing. I am about to finish my BSW this December and I'm almost positive I won't be going after my MSW and switching to nursing. With that said, I've been looking into programs and I think the CEP RN/MSN with PCC and GCU is the best option for me for all the reasons you mentioned. Is it an actual MSN or is it similar to the MEPN where you get your RN and (I think) a masters in science? Could you give an update on how it's been and where you're at now? Also, do hospitals hire this degree the same as a BSN since you don't earn a BSN with this degree? Tried to PM you, but it didn't let me. Thanks in advance!