2009 Direct Entry MSN at MGHIHP

GOOD Day folks! Has anyone given some thoughts to the fact that in the first 1 1/2 year, you will not be awarded a BSN? I am hearing from a few NP students who passed their NCLEX that they are not able to find a job because they don't have a BSN. So, Only a Diploma is awarded, I don't even think it's an associate. So, it's only beneficial once you're all done with the whole NP degree that it would be easier to find a job. I am starting my program in the Fall 09, and a little bit concerned about it. Why don't the schools award BSN, the the MSN? what do they have to lose? I don't get it...So, what if someone is done with the first part, get the NCLEX and happen to be sick or sick child, then you're stuck with a huge loan with only a Diploma in nursing and a pain in the ---- to find a decent job. I am thinking hard about this. Can anyone please share their views and opinions on this....Maybe we should all rally and demand a BSN degree for the first portion, it only makes sense. I think Regis does,and that's about it... let me know what you think.

I think you should be considering this program if you want to become a NP. It is not meant for people who want to be a RN. If you want to work as a RN and are concerned about if you might not be able to finish the 3 year program, I would do an accelerated BSN first. That way you'd have the option to work as a RN and find a job easier as an RN. Then you could always go back for your masters when you were ready (and if immediately after, that is a possibility too). If you are concerned about the job market for RNs and want that experience first or as an option, that is what MGHIHP recommended to me because I asked the same question! They also told me if I am not removed from their wait list, I could apply for their accelerated BSN, work as an RN and then apply for my masters through them and get both experiences. I am hoping to get off their wait list as I know I want to be a NP but at least there are plenty of options and you can tailor these programs to your life if you speak with schools that are interested in you! Good luck. Where are you headed to school in the fall? Regis still has rolling admissions open. I called them yesterday. I might apply and would have that BSN, which is a good point :-) They allow and encourage you to work part-time as a RN if you desire, while you do your masters if you want!

I definitely want to be an NP (no doubt about that). However, as we all know unexpected can happen, right? So, let's say God forbid something happens that one would have to stop going to school after the NCLEX (possibility), then you get all this loan for a diploma? That's tough! In the fall, I will be heading to MGH IHP. Did you get in anywhere else, besides the waitlist at MGH?

also wait-listed at NEU. I was rejected from Simmons! According to rankings, my situation doesn't make sense, but who knows exactly what each school is looking for... I started thinking about applying to Regis last week as I am a little worried. But I just started the prereqs so my original plan was to apply to MGHIHP next year. I can always reapply there if I don't get accpeted...or go the BSN route. I don't have a car and don't want to have to buy one unless needed so I wasn't originally planning on applying to Regis. It is nice to have options though. We'll see. Where else did you apply? Why did you choose MGHIHP?

Got into BC and MGH, was wait listed at Umass/Worcester and rejected by Simmons. Who knows what they look for, you are right. I am all done with my prereqs though. I chose MGH because it's smaill and very focus. The population is older and am guessing there will be less distractions there, and also geographically, it's nearby. BC's 2 year program is attractive, however, it is also quite challenging to go non-stop for 2 years, throughout the summer and winter session. I think that's sick! because I have a family with 2 kids. I am not sure however why the required credits from BC is much less than the ones at MGH. Who knows... Just don't send your application blindly. I would recommend that you meet with the Regis folks and explain your situation to see what they say. Good luck!

Does anyone know the logic behind the amount of credits each school require for the MSN program? BC requires 70credits, while Simmons and MGH require 90-91. What's up with that? Of course, if you're paying cost/credit, BC ends up being way cheaper than MGH, am not sure what the cost/credit is for Simmons. How interesting, eh? Please share your 2 cents....

Guys,

I don't believe I am all alone out there, but curious to know where other people are at. I am starting NP school in Fall 09. Like most of us, I will need to quit work for schools. Of course, I will need Living expenses + the Tuition + travelling and Books. So, for the 3 years, I calculated that I will owe at least $150,000. Is this insane or what? I wonder what other people owe, will owe. and what good plans do you have for repayment. Upon graduation, I will need a salary of at least $100,000 to break even. Right?

Please share your thoughts on this.....

NPNICO

I'm freaking out a little over the money too now that MGH is starting to feel more like a reality. It's a lot of money! It's hard to justify. I'm almost 33, so be done at 36 and then own $150,000 plus of debt. Even if I pay $1000/month for the subsequent 15 years I'll be 50 by the time it's paid off. Sounds crazy!

I'm single and don't have kids yet so I'm thinking geez what if I'm done and want to have a baby and I have all this debt etc.

For a while there I was really considering saying forget it. It does not a smart move. Then, I thought again about why I endured retaking micro, chem etc (I graduated in dietetics in 98' so had to retake a lot of courses) and why I applied in the first place. Getting back to my reasoning behind the decision to apply helped me to reframe how to think about all that debt.

Married, single, kids, no kids most of us will spend a lot of our lives and a lot of time working.

Not to bring up something else to worry about but....I was reading another post where some individuals were saying direct-entry students have a harder time finding employment after graduation. Has anyone heard this? Orginally I was thinking we'll be able to work as RNs once we are half way through the program however if it's true we aren't likely to be hired because we don't have a BSN how's that going to work?

Just as an fyi for the Science Summer if anyone happens to be in the same boat I was in. Chemistry was all I had left to take this Summer and I'm currently not living in Boston. I couldn't find any local classes (LA) that fit the description of what the MGH requirments were and then found out that the Science Summer chem class wasn't on-line, So, I ended up finding an on-line chem class with general, biochem and organic components (Weber Univeristy) that was accepted by the program (DEN). It's around $1100 including books. I started it early (prof is really flexible) because I wanted to have a break before September. Chem doesn't not come easy for me but so far it really hasn't been too bad.

FYI-I just took that course. The course isn't too bad, but the professor makes A TON of mistakes in the online lectures (the Tutor). There were also several mistakes on the quizzes (for example he would quiz on info not yet discussed) and I am not sure if he would have fixed my grade, had I not told him. On top of that, the online labs are difficult to read so be prepared to contact the lab professor to ask questions, who prefers phone over e-mail.

The actual material covered in the book is pretty simple and straightforward so I advise you to read the materials yourself instead of relying on his lectures. His lectures will help with some of the prep work for exams but just wanted to warn you ahead of time in case he hasn't fixed the errors (I literally just took my final).