Anyone applying to Simmons College Direct Entry MSN Program 2012?

gregmRN890 · Apr 4, 2012

Hello and congrats to all who have been accepted into the program!

I am still contemplating between Regis and Simmons college. Both have their pros and cons and what is really worrying me is the fact that Simmons does not offter the BSN after completing that part of the curriculum (however Simmons is right in the city, very convenient, and with great resources); whereas Regis offers the BSN and more flexibility in their program (however Regis has had bad reviews regarding their faculty and the resources they have in the school). I'm hearing various comments about how complicated it may be to get an NP job without a BSN. Is this true? Would I be able to find an RN job during the NP portion of my studies without a BSN? Is there anyone that is a current Simmons nursing student that has seen a fellow peer get a job in the city working as an RN without a BSN? Anyone see an "X-factor" between the two programs that would make me choose Simmons over Regis (or vice versa)?

I'm still very indecisive on both of these programs but the main issue is that I am worrying about is the BSN predicament for furture nursing endeavors.

I would greatly appreciate the help with this decision!!

You can email me at [email protected] or leave a comment!

gregm890

hale.bale · Apr 7, 2012

Hi Greg, you bring up a good point and that's why Simmons wasn't one of my top choices. That being said, I didn't even apply to Regis based on its poor reviews. I know Simmons has a very positive reputation. At the information session at Simmons this issue was brought up, and the faculty made not having a BSN seem somewhat negligible. I can't remember exactly what was said, but I do know many amazing RNs that work as RNs that do not have a BSN. In my opinion, and I may be bias given that I'm going to Simmons, it's not worth it to go to a lower-rated program just because they award a BSN. I'm sure Simmons is very up to date with the hiring trends and requirements in the nursing field. They want their graduates to succeed and would not want to make things difficult for us. And like I said, they discussed this issue at length at the info session, and they truly stressed it as a non-issue. I think you should definitely call/email them for more information if you are concerned, im sure they'd be happy to assist you in your decision. Hope that helps!

ala87 · Apr 9, 2012

Hi de2013,

Thank you for all of your helpful posts so far! I wanted to ask you if you had any tips about loans, etc. I don't have enough posts to PM you but any advice regarding your experience with loans and the whole financial process would be greatly appreciated! I've received my financial award letter from Simmons and right now it's a little overwhelming as I don't wish to be head under water in debt by the time I graduate.

Thanks!

Amy

bethashley · Apr 9, 2012

Hi all,

I got my acceptance in the mail a few weeks ago! And I will be attending. I have to complete the Human Development course during the first summer session. Can't wait to meet you all! So excited!!

--Beth

allnurses Guide · Apr 9, 2012

Hi de2013,
Thank you for all of your helpful posts so far! I wanted to ask you if you had any tips about loans, etc. I don't have enough posts to PM you but any advice regarding your experience with loans and the whole financial process would be greatly appreciated! I've received my financial award letter from Simmons and right now it's a little overwhelming as I don't wish to be head under water in debt by the time I graduate.
Thanks!
Amy

Best of luck.

JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN · May 10, 2013

Saw this old thread, and wanted to weigh in as current Simmons Direct-Entry student (currently in the NP portion part-time): I am a little bummed that Simmons doesn't offer the BSN on the way, but it hasn't stopped me much. I passed the NCLEX at the end of January and got a substitute school nursing job less than a month later; now I've just started a full-time school nurse job through 2014 in the city. I love community nursing, so my focus wasn't on getting a med-surg job; however, I do have three friends in the program with me (all now going part-time) who applied for and got hospital med-surg jobs outside the city.