Got into MSN/ MGH....now what...

VivaRN · Apr 16, 2009

What is an MGH?

drfitness · Apr 16, 2009

Mass General Hospital :)

elkpark · Apr 16, 2009

That's an awful lot of student debt for a nursing degree/career. While MGH is certainly a well-respected program, if cost is a big concern for you, have you considered any of the kazillion other direct-entry FNP programs in the country? Many of them are much less expensive than MGH (and not necessarily poorer quality programs). There are an awful lot of options out there ... :)

Best wishes for your journey!

Gator FNP · Apr 20, 2009

I agree with elkpark, look into your state's university system, tuition would be less. There are positions $100+ but some come with alot of hours, call, w/e. Also many can be in rural health, caring for populations that lack healthcare. Think about the type of environment you would like to work in.

Trauma Columnist · Apr 20, 2009

Gotta agree with above posters:

1. Lot of $$$ debt for the degree.

2. Yes, people can make >100k but at what cost to you? Personal life, call requirements, hours you need to work to make that amount?

3. Many areas of the country are not hiring direct-entry NPs because of the lack of experience and realistically is the economy going to improve that much in three years?

I do sincerely wish you luck but I think you need to do some more research into this and consider where you want to live and what the salary of NPs is there as well as to the availability of employment for direct-entry NPs.

nuwbee25 · Apr 20, 2009

Wow congrats on getting into MGH...such an accomplishment. Before you invest 3 years and 200k into this I think you should make sure it is right for you since you are new to nursing all together. What field are you in now if you don't mind my asking? While I was at umass boston, i had their health insurance and I would use the school clinic as my primary care. It is run by about 6 NPs and 1 MD. The NPs def have autonomy from what I saw and some people prefer them over MDs because they feel they have a stronger sense of compassion for their patients...however I am sure that depends on the person!

Jo Dirt · Apr 22, 2009

I'm the sole wage earner in my family of 6 (4 children and a husband) and I am about to start a FNP program that's total cost will be 15-17k. The first year I can probably work at least 3 days a week. When clinicals start I may have to stop working for a year. That will add maybe another 20k to the student debt.

Maybe 35K total, I figure.

I think you could find a cheaper way. That's medical school type debt...I'd say a lot of MD's don't even end up owing that much. It's not sounding like a good plan.

allnurses Guide · Apr 22, 2009

Congrats on getting in! One suggestion-have you looked at the UMASS Worc. direct entry program? It's a lot cheaper than the Boston programs, but the location may not be convenient to you. As far as the job market for direct entry grads, it's pretty good in Boston. I'm finishing my DE program in 2 weeks and I have a job offer, as do many of my classmates. RN jobs are scarce, but the market for NPs seems to be growing, perhaps due to the new law mandating all MA residents have health insurance. There's not enough PCPs to see all these newly insured patients, so many practices are now hiring NPs.

Good luck-whatever you decide to do!!

drfitness · Apr 23, 2009

I want to thank you all for responding! It was very helpful to me to read through of all of this. Can I ask Jo Dirt, what FNP program are you going into that will only cost 35 k total? I have to do a direct entry program since I have no nursing background at all. T

26faster · May 1, 2009

Great question! I'm in the same boat as you. Got into MGH and very excited about it. I'm working now as a dietitian in California and making a good income ~$70,000-75,000 per year. I haven't really enjoyed being a dietitian for a long time, felt like I wasn't living up to what I am capable of. But, it's a job and I probably could stick with it. It's a good career. But, I don't know that I want to feel that way about something I spend so much time doing. I'm almost 33, be done at 36...it's hard to say whether it's worth it or not. To have that much debt at that age. We still have a lot of years left to work. And it's about more than money, it's about career satisfaction, feeling like your making a contribution to society etc.

However, I have your same fears and concerns about the cost now that I am accepted and faced with the reality of making the choice to go or not to go. It's tough decision. I am single as well so while I don't have the expensive of kids yet there's no one to off set the expense while I'm in school.

I'll be curious to hear what you decide and what others think.

This is the first I'm hearing about the lack of difficulity in obtaining employment as a direct-entry students. I was thinking we are able to gain experience through the extensive clinicals and starting to work as RNs half way through the program. I've always read that NP is a growing field and that more MDs are going into speciality areas leaving a shortage of PCPs. Has anyone had the experience of not finding a job because of going through this type of program?

drfitness · May 1, 2009

You are the only other person that I have heard from that is in the same boat! Glad its not just me with some of these fears/ concerns. By the way have you heard anything from the program as to when we start, orientation etc?? I havent heard anything!