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Q: Should I apply to the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program or to the Advanced Practice Pediatric Nursing (APPN) Program?
A: If you wish to provide health care to people across the lifespan or are planning on practicing in a rural area, the selection of the FNP program would be most appropriate. If your interest, however, is in providing primary care to infants, children, and adolescents within a family context, the PNP program is most appropriate.
Q: Should I apply to the Advanced Practice Pediatric Nursing (APPN) Program program or to the Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (ACPNP) Program?
A: If you want to focus on primary care or outpatient specialty clinics with a strong background in providing primary care to a chronically ill population, the PNP program is recommended. If you have a solid acute care nursing background, and wish to focus more on acutely ill children with a strong inpatient focus as an NP, the ACPNP program is probably most appropriate. You will have some primary care training in the ACPNP program but you will not receive certification to work in the primary care setting.
Q: Do I need to be a full-time student and complete the program in two years?
A: Not necessarily. But please note that the program is academically rigorous; therefore faculty suggest that prospective students plan for limited work of no more than 50-60%, and limited professional commitments during graduate study. Even with a 3-year program of study this is recommended in the last 1-2 years of study. Due to sequencing of course requirements and clinical rotations, it's best to identify the need for a three-year or part-time program of study prior to initiating coursework. Official part-time study is 6 units or less a quarter and would require a 4-year period of study.
Q: What do I need to emphasize in my application for the best consideration?
A: Each applicant is reviewed as a whole. Goal statement, letters of reference, extracurricular activities, language skills, activities on-the-job, research activities, work experience, professional organization activities, and GPA are ALL considered when the application is reviewed. Include examples of professional 'on-the-job' activities. Describe any volunteer work. Reference letters should be requested from those in a position to substantiate your clinical excellence and potential for contribution to advanced practice nursing (including at least one nursing colleague.)
Q: Is the GRE required? What does my GRE score need to be for admission into the program?
A: The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is no longer required for the UCSF Master's program, effective November 2007.
Q: What does my GPA need to be for admission into the program?
A: A GPA of 3.0 is expected for admission into the School of Nursing although special circumstances can be discussed.
Q: What should I write in my goal statement?
A: You should be very clear about why you selected the specific specialty you are applying to. Your statement should reflect how you have made this decision and your future goals as an advanced practice nurse.
Q: Am I responsible for finding my own preceptors?
A: The faculty will work with you to find the preceptors who are best suited for your area of specialization. Students will provide input in planning their clinical experiences to best fit their goals. Faculty will coordinate all clinical placements.
Q: How do I find housing in the area? Is it expensive?
A: Many of our students find that sharing housing is a good approach to solving both the availability and cost issues. Housing in the Bay Area may be expensive, but help can be found with the campus Housing Office, the Student Affairs Office, and previous graduates can often give advice.
Q: What else will help me prepare for school?
A: Computer proficiency with excellent word processing and internet/web knowledge is essential.
For more information, contact info@nursing.ucsf.edu
001232 visits since May 17, 2007
Revised: May 2007
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