UNH Direct Entry Program

icare412 · Sep 23, 2005

Hi,

They are scheduling interviews. I got my email today.

Serena NH · Sep 23, 2005

Hi,
They are scheduling interviews. I got my email today.

YAY! I did too! Good luck!

Wondergirl0905 · Nov 30, 2005

I am looking at applying to this program for 2007. I have a bachelor's in criminal justice. I have no medical background whatsoever, although my parents are both in medicine and I have always listened intently to their stories. Currently I work at a crisis center, assiting people victimized by interpersonal violence, including sexual assault. Eventually, I would like to become a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner. I will be starting on some of the pre-reqs I didn't get in my undergrad (A&P). I am stressed out about picking the right program. The UNH direct entry appeals since I don't want to go back for an associate's when I already have a bachelor's. Are there any BSN accelerated programs in NH aside from UNH? Also, if anyone is in their program, what would you say a typical week is like? Do you have the time to work part-time? Do they offer good financial aid? Anything you can add to this thread would be appreciated.

Jen

arciedee · Dec 1, 2005

I am looking at applying to this program for 2007. I have a bachelor's in criminal justice. I have no medical background whatsoever, although my parents are both in medicine and I have always listened intently to their stories. Currently I work at a crisis center, assiting people victimized by interpersonal violence, including sexual assault. Eventually, I would like to become a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner. I will be starting on some of the pre-reqs I didn't get in my undergrad (A&P). I am stressed out about picking the right program. The UNH direct entry appeals since I don't want to go back for an associate's when I already have a bachelor's. Are there any BSN accelerated programs in NH aside from UNH? Also, if anyone is in their program, what would you say a typical week is like? Do you have the time to work part-time? Do they offer good financial aid? Anything you can add to this thread would be appreciated.
Jen

Hi Jen,

I'm not in the program, but may apply for 2007 myself. As far as I know there are no accelerated BSN programs in NH. I have applied to one at the University of Southern Maine, it's a 15-month program starting in May. I think there are a couple in the Boston area, if you're interested in moving down there.

Edited to add: I just saw your post on the other thread mentioning that moving isn't an option for you. I would probably consider going ADN in that case. I am wavering between UNH and one of the Techs as my backup to USM. I like the idea of getting a masters, but at the same time we're planning to get married and have children in the next few years and I am not sure UNH's schedule will work with that, not to mention that I'm not really sure that I want an MSN in clinical nurse leadership when I know that ultimately I want to be an NP. It's an annoying situation. I wish we had more options.

Serena NH · Dec 5, 2005

Hello,

I was just accepted to the UNH Direct Entry program, so I can give a bit more background... first, I was in the same situation... Already have a Bachelors Degree, and getting a Masters sounded better than the Associates. I went and did the prereq's at Northern Essex Community College in Haverhill, MA, and wasn't sure if I wanted to pursue my ADN there, or go for the MSN at UNH. It was a big decision, because going to UNH meant quitting my job and going back to school full-time, while the evening program at NECC would have allowed me to just cut back on my work schedule. However, I'm married, and didn't want to never see my husband during the week, so that was a drawback of the ADN evening program, but it's a heck of a lot cheaper. UNH allows you to be able to get your RN in one year, and then you get the advanced degree, but it's a greater time and money committment. In the end, I chose UNH because of the shorter time-span, more accelerated classes, and the advanced degree. I am not aware of any other Accelerated Programs in NH.

Here's a bit more info about the actual program: We start January 3rd. For that week and the next week, we're in "Intro to Nursing" every day, mostly full days. Then, the rest of the Spring semester is broken up into 2 half semesters, with a week off in between. During the week, we will have one and a half to two full days of lecture/class, and two full days of clinicals off-site, at hospitals. After we get through the Spring semester, we have another week off and then begin summer classes, same sort of schedule. We have three weeks off during the end of July/beginning of August, and then start back up again. Some semesters, I believe we have one day of class and three days of clinical. We finish in mid-December, and are then eligible to take the NCLEX exam. After that, you are able to work as an RN, but still have three more semesters of study to recieve the MSN in Clinical Nursing Leadership. I believe you can stay for an additional semester or two to become a Nurse Practitioner (it takes more credits than the CNL track).

arciedee · Dec 6, 2005

Serena, thanks for the info. I'd love it if you could continue to post as you go through the program, I'd be interested to hear more about it. Best of luck to you!

Wondergirl0905 · Dec 7, 2005

congrats Serena! good luck with the program. I would also appreciate it if you could keep us posted (if you have time!)

:balloons:

Wondergirl0905 · Dec 7, 2005

...and would also like to hear about the application process itself. by the way Serena, what was your undergraduate degree?

Serena NH · Dec 29, 2005

Hi All,

Sorry for the delay in replying... but yes, I'll keep you posted on how the program goes!

As for the application process, I attended an information session in April, then we had to submit our applications by July 30th. You have to submit a Grad School application, have three letters of recommendation, and write a "Personal Statement". There were no pre-tests or anything that we had to take. In late September, I recieved a call back for an interview. I then went in and completed the interview, and finally recieved word of my acceptance in mid-October.

My Bachelors Degree was in Business Administration from UNH. It seems like there is really a variety of backgrounds in the people they choose.

Feel free to ask if you have any more questions!

Serena

arciedee · Nov 3, 2006

Bumping this up to see if there are any other UNH DEMN students out there. I just checked my application status last night and it said that I was accepted for this January! I'm hoping there will be something in my mailbox about it tonight.

T-BoRN · Nov 4, 2006

Congratulations Arciedee,

Welcome to the toughest academic program you are likely to encounter. It truly is brutal. BUT, and there is a bit BUT (not butt) it is so worth it. In just over 12 months I became an RN working at a local emergency department. Life is good. The first year is going to drain you mentally, physically and emotionally. You have to just keep plugging away. I placed a piece of paper with my name and R.N. after it and stuck it on the refrigerator. When I got stressed (or my wife noticed I was stressed which was usually the case) I just looked at that piece of paper. It helped keep me focused. Things get harder as you progress - not easier. There are a couple of professors out there who are utterly fantastic and you will find out quickly who I am talking about.

I am not trying to scare you off. But you should be aware of how demanding the program is. Our cohort (we were the second patch) lost two students through the program. Some of us went part time grad school after the NCLEX. There are three tracks at the moment (at least for our class) the AACN CNL track, Self-directed where you hook up with a prof. in your area of interest (limited in scope at UNH as there are only a few specialties represented amongst nursing professors) or the Education track (this is my focus).

Good luck with school, congratulations once again. IT IS WORTH IT IN THE END.

Let me know if you want any more info.

Tim

arciedee · Nov 4, 2006

Hi Tim,

Thanks for the encouragement. I am really looking forward to this new challenge in my life. I got my letter from the nursing department yesterday followed by the official acceptance letter from the grad school today. Orientation is on the 5th of December... not sure how I'm going to wait that long! But I suppose I'll just try to enjoy the downtime.

I think I may pursue the education track myself, however I'm keeping my options open at the moment.

I know that they are supposed to be changing the program with my class, but as of my interview a few weeks ago they still had not finalized everything :rolleyes: . According to the info session I attended in the spring, though, we won't be eligible to sit for the NCLEX until after the SECOND spring semester... which is kind of a bummer as I was attracted to the fact that I'd only being out of the workforce for a year. It may be a good thing, though, as the credit load per semester is also supposed to be a bit lower.

Thanks again for replying!