Would you hire a MEPN (master's entry program in nursing) candidate?

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Well I hope someone can help me out with this question and hope it hasn't been asked too many times on this board. I'm new to allnurses.com so forgive me if this has come up before.

I'm thinking of making a career change to nursing from teaching. I already have a master's degree in teaching and don't want to get another bachelor's degree so I was looking into MEPN programming. Here in WA state, the University of Washington offers a MEPN that promises a challenging first year of clincal experience and then another year developing a focus area as a nurse practitioner or other nurse specialist.

Ultimately, I have four questions:

1. As an NP from a MEPN program, will anyone hire me as an RN so I can get experience?

2. Will I be met with negatives attitudes from my peers if I do get a job as an RN from a MEPN program?

3. Would a BSN be better for my career?

4. I have a background as a social worker/teacher so I'm interested in the Psychiatric NP program. Is this area in high demand and possibly lucrative?

I've done quite a bit of interviewing and cannot seem to come to a solid conclusion, this issue has been boggling my mind! :uhoh3:

Thanks for any information you can provide!

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hi lisa,

since i'm not an np, i can't answer your questions.

i think you'd get a better response if you post your questions under the apn (advanced practice nurse) forum. they have a sub-forum exclusively for nps.

eta: they also have a graduate student nurse forum, where you might get a better response.

best of everything.

leslie

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Thanks, I'll try posting it in the other forum as well.

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Hi Lisal

I too, had some of these questions...I have a BS in Medical Technology. I was considering an MDEP, three years ago. I took a job in a doctors' office to get a feeling if nursing was really what I wanted to switch gears/careers to. I decided that nursing was it but, I then had to decide which direction to go in. I struggled with the decision...as it seems that you are now. I knew I eventually wanted an NP...I already had a BS. Even the professors in the BSN program to which I applied told me I was crazy not to pursue the MDEP. However, due to scheduling conflicts...and the demands of each program...the BSN was alot less intense. I don't mean easier, just that there was a summer break, spring break, and winter break each year...with the MDEP there was a two week break each year and that was it. I have three children, so for me the BSN was just more accomodating. However, a year into the program, while working at the doctor's office over a summer break, I was at lunch with the staff and the topic of conversation was what to do about replacing the current practice's NP...she was retiring. None of the doctors wanted to even consider an NP from an MDEP...they felt that such a candidate would have no real practical experience. To me, that said alot. I don't know how difficult it would be to get experience as a floor nurse; one nurse, an asst nurse manager, said that her feeling is that an MSN would be overqualified to work on a floor...however, one of the professors I had is an NP but, works part time as a staff nurse...just because she enjoys it. So, it depends on who you ask. But, I can truly understand what you're feeling...I was making that same decision three years ago. I chose the BSN and don't regret it for a second. Best of luck to you...hope some of this helps

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i think you should go to an rn associates program and then be an RN with an MA.

after a year experience somewhere, preferably an er if you want to do fnp, apply for your msn. you will just have to do all the science courses before starting on the msn.

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i think you should go to an rn associates program and then be an RN with an MA.

after a year experience somewhere, preferably an er if you want to do fnp, apply for your msn. you will just have to do all the science courses before starting on the msn.

Not true. Virtually every MSN program that accepts RNs with a college degree but without a BSN--and there aren't that many that do--requires *nursing* bridge courses, and many also want a stats course and a health assessment course. The science courses are presumed to have been completed. I know. I've researched it til the cows come home. The number of programs that accept RNs with non-nursing degrees on the same level as BSNs can be counted on one hand. It matters not if the RN has another master's degree, either.

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I've thought about just doing an associates program which would take 2 yrs. But then, the MEPN programs takes 2 yrs too. I just want to know if I would get hired as a nurse even though I would walk out as an NP. I don't plan on becoming an NP right out of the program but would like to get a few years experience first.

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If it were me, I'd join the MEPN program and stretch out the time between my initial RN licensure and finishing up the NP. JMO.

Some folks don't like the idea of direct-entry grad programs, especially thsoe that lead to advanced practice roles. Generic graduate-entry programs tend to get more love. Be prepared for that.

Would you get hired as an RN even though you are an RN-NP. Well I'm sure more than a few hospitals would hire you. I am not to sure about the legal impilcations though, whether you would be responsible for the higher scope of practice (As you WOULD be an NP) working as a bedside RN. You'd have to ask the big dogs on this board that one!

Still the choice is yours.

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What programs are you looking at? Most have you complete the RN in 12 -18 months and then work on the Master's. A lot of people choose to work as an RN then and do the Master's classes part-time. Takes longer to finish but you walk out an NP WITH experience on the floor. I think your best bet is to talk to the people who have completed the programs you are considering. The school should be able to provide you with a contact so that you can at least do an email interview with a graduate now working. Best of luck!

I've thought about just doing an associates program which would take 2 yrs. But then, the MEPN programs takes 2 yrs too. I just want to know if I would get hired as a nurse even though I would walk out as an NP. I don't plan on becoming an NP right out of the program but would like to get a few years experience first.
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What programs are you looking at? Most have you complete the RN in 12 -18 months and then work on the Master's. A lot of people choose to work as an RN then and do the Master's classes part-time. Takes longer to finish but you walk out an NP WITH experience on the floor. I think your best bet is to talk to the people who have completed the programs you are considering. The school should be able to provide you with a contact so that you can at least do an email interview with a graduate now working. Best of luck!

I wish interviewing a MEPN was possible for me. The program is at the U. of Washington and it is brand new, the first graduating class is launching this winter. The MEPN here is full time for two years, the first 12 months results in an RN. The remaining year is for grad work and it was the U.'s intention to make it so people could work part time as RNs in that last year. It is my understanding (from the mouth of one of professors of that program) that not many people were able to get part time experience due to heavy course work. So how easily the graduates find work, as RNs or NPs, is yet to be seen.

I've definately been getting some negative feedback about peers "feelings" regarding MEPN nurses. I don't want to work in an enviroment where people may be skeptical about whether or not I can do my job because of my degree, and I definately don't want it to effect my ability to get hired.

I did find out that the same school has a RN to MN though. That may be a better route for me. I can do my RN at a community college (much cheaper tuition) and then do my MN part time while I get a couple year of work experience. It would take longer but I think I might be better received by the medical community if I do it that way. What do you think?

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I've now completed the RN portion of my RN-MSN prgram, and I can definitely say you should NOT have a problem getting a job as an RN - I have two right now! And I don't know a single person from my program that didn't, if they wanted one (since we still have a year left of the full time MSN program).

I can't say much about getting a job as an NP from a DE program - not there yet - but there are certainly plenty of RN jobs out there for all of us new grads, regardless of our path to nursing. Good luck with whatever you choose!

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.
I did find out that the same school has a RN to MN though. That may be a better route for me. I can do my RN at a community college (much cheaper tuition) and then do my MN part time while I get a couple year of work experience. It would take longer but I think I might be better received by the medical community if I do it that way. What do you think?

That's what I'd do if I had to do it over again.

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