Accelerated BSN MCPHS- Worcester Spring 2015

saah58 · Nov 20, 2015

In terms of the essay, I was referring to the entrance application essay. I am still in the process of applying. I have not completed my essay and waiting on a reference letter. I've got one from a professional business individual and another I'm hoping my Nurse Pract. can write one up for me from an academic stand point.

saah58 · Nov 20, 2015

In terms of the essay, I was referring to the entrance application essay. I am still in the process of applying. I have not completed my essay and waiting on a reference letter. I've got one from a professional business individual and another I'm hoping my Nurse Pract. can write one up for me from an academic stand point.

IMAFoodi · Nov 20, 2015

Tech RN,

To answer your question, my best advice is to use your essay as a platform for the admission counselors to get to know you and what inspires you to become a nurse and how the program at MCPHS can help you reach that goal. Most importantly, be honest and be yourself when you write your essay. I must say this, it is not hard to get into the nursing program at MCPHS. I do not feel that this program only want students with high academic profiles, but rather an individual with a strong passion to become a nurse and how they will work hard to achieve that dream. Let me warn you this, I am currently a N-1 student (first semester) and this program is physically and emotionally exhausting. Maybe CiaMai can chip in on this... The work is not difficult, but there is a lot to be done in a short period of time. Every week, I practically have 2-3 quizzes and maybe papers due. The professors that I currently have are understanding and nice for the most part, however, they can get nasty at times. First semester of MCPHS's nursing program is a lot of studying and then like CiaMai mentioned, you start the first 2 weeks of the semester with intensive learning and then clinical training. Beware of this final exam called HESI. I will be taking that soon and it's worth 25% of your total grade, and I've heard that it's challenging and random. You may be tested on things that you may or may have not learned. Some nursing program do not factor that into student's grades, but rather use that as a practice and indicator for students to know their mastery level of the materials. I wish you the best of luck in the process and feel free to ask and more questions. I will be gladly to offer my help. My advice is to learn as much about the programs that you look into because some of the nursing programs can be stupid in their way of structuring the classes. You can be sitting in classes for more than 5-6 hours daily, which can cause stage one pressure ulcers (joking!). Again, good luck!

saah58 · Nov 20, 2015

Thanks for the input, I am assuming that your in the traditional BSN program, not sure, I am applying for the Accelerated BSN program. Here in Texas the HESI is taken in order to get into the nursing program. I did not take it but have heard that its easier than taking the TEAS V exam that some schools are also requiring to take. So in order to get into the program your either taking TEAS V or HESI A2. Anyhow, I took the TEAS V and scored a Comp. of 74% over all which is alright.

Tech RN,
To answer your question, my best advice is to use your essay as a platform for the admission counselors to get to know you and what inspires you to become a nurse and how the program at MCPHS can help you reach that goal. Most importantly, be honest and be yourself when you write your essay. I must say this, it is not hard to get into the nursing program at MCPHS. I do not feel that this program only want students with high academic profiles, but rather an individual with a strong passion to become a nurse and how they will work hard to achieve that dream. Let me warn you this, I am currently a N-1 student (first semester) and this program is physically and emotionally exhausting. Maybe CiaMai can chip in on this... The work is not difficult, but there is a lot to be done in a short period of time. Every week, I practically have 2-3 quizzes and maybe papers due. The professors that I currently have are understanding and nice for the most part, however, they can get nasty at times. First semester of MCPHS's nursing program is a lot of studying and then like CiaMai mentioned, you start the first 2 weeks of the semester with intensive learning and then clinical training. Beware of this final exam called HESI. I will be taking that soon and it's worth 25% of your total grade, and I've heard that it's challenging and random. You may be tested on things that you may or may have not learned. Some nursing program do not factor that into student's grades, but rather use that as a practice and indicator for students to know their mastery level of the materials. I wish you the best of luck in the process and feel free to ask and more questions. I will be gladly to offer my help. My advice is to learn as much about the programs that you look into because some of the nursing programs can be stupid in their way of structuring the classes. You can be sitting in classes for more than 5-6 hours daily, which can cause stage one pressure ulcers (joking!). Again, good luck!

CiaMia, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, APRN, NP · Nov 24, 2015

Thanks for the input, I am assuming that your in the traditional BSN program, not sure, I am applying for the Accelerated BSN program. Here in Texas the HESI is taken in order to get into the nursing program. I did not take it but have heard that its easier than taking the TEAS V exam that some schools are also requiring to take. So in order to get into the program your either taking TEAS V or HESI A2. Anyhow, I took the TEAS V and scored a Comp. of 74% over all which is alright.

Nope, she's referring to the accelerated program!

we have HESI exams both at entrance (start of the program) and then specialized exit HESI exams that go along with each class that count as your "final exam" and are worth 25%. It's not that it's random, but rather more in the style of NCLEX, and the faculty don't get direct control over the questions.

The only point that I disagree with you on, IMAFoodi, is the passion to be a nurse. A lot of the folks in my cohort accepted places when they were told the PA program did not accept them. Are you in Worcester or Manchester..? If Manchester, we should grab coffee :-)

it is definitely intense. Even for me (N3, 2 weeks until pinning!). But it's possible. :-)

R3cole · Dec 21, 2015

Hello I am currently under review for my application for the accelerated nursing program at MCPHS.Does anyone know/been in a situation where they asked for additional grades? Also, does anyone know how lenient/strict they are about prerequisite grades? Thanks in advance!

IMAFoodi · Dec 22, 2015

R3cole,

When I applied to the program, I was never asked for additional grades nor an interview. However, I think the reason why the school wanted to look at other grades is because they want to see how well-rounded of an candidate you are. It seems like they may be interested in having you as a student, otherwise why bother to gather additional information about you.

To answer your second question, I think as long as your pre-requisite grades are above 3.0 (B) cumulatively, then you should be fine. Honestly, I did not think this program was that difficult to get accepted into. My candidate profile when I applied was 3.05 (BIO major cumulative GPA) and 3.1 (pre-requisite GPA). I applied to other more competitive program, such as NYU and BC, and got accepted. Though I did not have a strong academic background, but I think my essay and my recommendation letters did play a huge factor in my acceptance. My advice is to write a very personal and genuine essay [why nursing?] because it could really help make a [positive] decision to your application file. I hope this helps and let me know if you have anymore questions. Wish you the best of luck!

CiaMai, I apologize for the late response. I hope everything ended well with your journey at MCPHS. I was inundated with papers and the preparation for HESI. I am glad to say NO remediation for any class! The HESI exams do not seem that bad. I feel like as long as you practice answering the HESI practice questions over a period of time, then you should be fine. Oh by the way, I am from the Worcester campus and I am excited for clinical training for this upcoming semester. Any advice(s)? Lastly, good luck on your NCLEX!

IAMFoodi

CiaMia, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, APRN, NP · Dec 24, 2015

CiaMai, I apologize for the late response. I hope everything ended well with your journey at MCPHS. I was inundated with papers and the preparation for HESI. I am glad to say NO remediation for any class! The HESI exams do not seem that bad. I feel like as long as you practice answering the HESI practice questions over a period of time, then you should be fine. Oh by the way, I am from the Worcester campus and I am excited for clinical training for this upcoming semester. Any advice(s)? Lastly, good luck on your NCLEX!

That is AWESOME! Remediation is definitely not the end of the world (and hey, you can do awesome on a HESI and not pass the class -- or even get a 4.0 for the class and have to remediate..!), but great job so far!!

So up next you have 245 (Physical Exam/Health Assessment); definitely pay close attention to this one because it is the foundation for EVERYTHING you do in practice. Strong assessment skills will make you stand out as an RN, help with your interventions and decision making. Partner with someone you're comfortable with for lab, because it does get physical (pun intended!).

For Provider I (first clinical, WOO! feeling like a REAL LIVE NURSEY-TYPE PERSON!!). My best advice would be to go in with an open mind. Watch everything. Ask to help with whatever they're comfortable with. You'll start off slow, and be with a group and you really can't do much of anything without your instructor there. It will be a lot of med admin, and lots of instructors like to ask about pharm as you go. If you don't know something and they put you on the spot, don't panic. Take a deep breath. Nobody knows everything. Tell them what you DO know, and where you would go/look for the answer.

Thanks for the NCLEX luck! All applied, just waiting for my ATT! keep in touch!

jseto724 · Jan 19, 2016

Hi to all.

I have a question. Is it necessary to have 2 recommendation letters. I was planning to have two. One from my employer and one from my university professor and he promised me last semester that he would write me one. When I got back to school this semester, he is no where to be found nor answering my emails. What should I do in this case? He is one of the few that I had contact with while in their class. Also, how easy was it for you guys to get into MCPHS. Thank you for your help.

jseto724 · Apr 22, 2016

For the loans, did you guys get a loan for all four semesters or did you guys get two separate loans? One for fall and spring and then one for summer and fall.

IMAFoodi · May 6, 2016

Apologize for the late reply! In terms of loans, I was fortunate that my parents helped me out with that. I was able to take out a parent plus loan, however, private loans are an alternative options. Even within the private loan options, different loan servicer(s) have different interest rates and so you might want to investigate. With doing a parent plus loan, you are capped at $32,000 for two semesters (fall and spring) and so you will need to make two loans request overall. Initially, it seems like you can borrow as much as possible, but in reality the institution limits the amount of money that you are allowed to burrow. (Fall & Spring) = 1st request and (Summer & Fall) = 2nd request. My advice is that you should get the financial work done as soon as possible because it'll make life easy [the process is not too slow] and make sure you contact Nathan because he's much better than the other one (if in the Worcester campus). Also, make sure you follow up with the residential office you plan on living on campus. They can lose your residential application and then put you at an expensive apt, which is not worth it. Let me warn you ahead of time, it's in your best interest to take initiative and follow up with everything on your own because the communication and understanding is limited and it's pretty evident once you settle on campus. So yeah, if you have any more questions, let me know and I'll try to respond back within an appropriate timeframe.

jseto724 · May 26, 2016

Thank you for answering my question @IMAFoodi. Also, has anyone ever worked as a part time CNA while at school for the absn program?