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by khari

Hi,

I am starting the two year track this fall at Simmons through their Dix Scholars Direct Entry program. Anyone else? If you've already graduated from this program please give some tips and insight.

Thanks

[oualie20]

Re: Any one starting Simmons this Fall?

I graduated from Simmons last year. I too did the Dix Scholars 2 year program. I heard that the school has made lots of changes so what I'm telling you might be outdated. 1st off I loved my experience at Simmons, I found the atmosphere very nuturing. I felt as though I could talk to any and all of professors about any issue I was having, some of them would come in early to help, stay late, use my lunch break...I can't say enough good things about Simmons. Keep in mind, it's like anything in life, you get out what you put in to it. At times you may feel overwhelmed because 4 years is crammed in to 2. You can do it though, keep your focus, use your resources, study hard but make time for you also. When I took my NCLEX, I was nervous and like every other new grad, I felt as though I failed, but I passed w/ 75 questions. When I started working I felt overwhelmed, and learning disabled, but now 9 months into my first year as a nurse, I feel as though Simmons did prepare me very well to do my job. One piece of advice, though Simmons discourages working while in the accelerated program, in my opinion it behoves you to at least be per diem as a CNA. It didn't do it but I wished I had. It'll help you to develop clinical skills. It'll prepare you for real world nursing, and more importantly, you'll land a job sooner as that counts as nursing experience.
Good luck to you, and pm me any time w/ questions. I hope this reply was helpful.

[LIZH18]

Re: Any one starting Simmons this Fall?

Oualie20,

Did you find that not having CNA experience hindered your chance of getting an RN position, or in other words did it take you a long time to get a job?
Where did you end up getting a job?

[oualie20]

Re: Any one starting Simmons this Fall?

Hey LIZH18:

In my opinion not having that experience was a minus for me. I was told by one of the hospital recruiters...won't name the name...that I didn't have that experience and sadly persons w/ that experience get to the top of the pile. I graduated in May, passed NCLEX in July and did not get hired until December. I had gotten 2 jobs offers @ the same time. The one I took is the one that someone that I knew gave my resume to someone they knew and they handed it off to someone they knew. Yep, I do believe it is important to get that exp in order to land that first job. Nursing schools are turning out students like crazy these days so competition, at least in Boston, is fierce...Good luck and use your resources...During your senior preceptorship, express interest in working on the floor. Network, be professional and be prepared stand out from the crowd...you'll be fine.

[Nursey Face]

Re: Any one starting Simmons this Fall?

Hi,

I am graduating from Simmons' 18 month Dix Scholar program in December. Like Oualie said, their clinical experiences are awesome! I was at MGH, the Brigham, Children's, The Barbara McGinnis House, Beacon Hospice and MassMental. I learned a ton. There classes are really good and it was definitely tough but doable. You will go in feeling like you do not know anything and leave feeling like you have a pretty good understanding of what you learned. I

I do work as a PCA at MGH and I have to say it does make a difference. What it does it help you to become VERY comfortable with patient interaction - touching patients, talking to them, etc. I do ADLS - bed baths, taking people to the bathroom, giving them bedpans, etc, and then I also give EKGs, blood draws, vital signs, and blood glucometry. It's also great because you will actually SEE what you are learning in nursing school and it makes a big difference in your learning. I only work 1 shift a week (per diem) and it works out great. What I did was that I really got along with my clinical instructor during Med Surg II and then asked if they needed another PCA and they did. You could do this during Med Surg I as well. I'm not sure what your first semester is like in the 2 year program but the first in the 18 month is extremely busy and packed so I didn't feel like I could work yet.

Anyhow, hope that helped. Good luck!