anyone starting UMass GEP in the fall?

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Anyone starting the UMass GEP program this upcoming fall semester?

I'm considering both the UMASS Accelerated BSN and the UMASS GEP programs. I can't find information on the cost of the Accelerated BSN in Amherst. Can anyone help?

Hi,

I will be starting the GEP program this August as well. I'm 36, have 3 little girls and have worked in finance for years- Fidelity in Marlboro for the last 5. I chose Adult Primary Care as my specialty and am hoping to focus on womens issues or possibly dermatology.

I moved in with my mother in Wellesley to save $ but am still nervous about taking on debt - I will feel better once we get more material on the particulars of the program. Does anyone have any idea how many GEP students there will be in all? I look forward to meeting/studying/working with everyone!

Hi All,

I wanted to let you know -- given this morning's tuition hike, and somewhat confusingly worded email -- I emailed them for year 2&3 costs.

This is for Family NP (which is the priciest - more coursework/clinical) with all tuition and fees included, according to today's fee schedule.

Year 2- $12, 881

Year 3- $8,486

So still easily more affordable than all the private programs. I was relieved.

Also - CBS 2008- I was told there are 23 people in incoming GEP class. Very tiny!

Would anybody be interested in meeting up at some point this summer just to say hi and get to know each other a little before we start? I am in West Newton, but I'd happily drive anywhere.

Andrea

Specializes in Adult-Geriatrics.

Yeah, I'd be interested in getting together to meet people before we start. Maybe somewhere in Worcester since thats where we'll be commuting to for the next 3 years of our lives!

Specializes in Adult-Geriatrics.

Anyone interested in getting together still?

Specializes in ACNP-BC.

Hello, I just read your posts on here and wanted to wish everyone good luck this fall. I just graduated from the traditional Master's program at UMASS Worcester and really enjoyed it. I did the Acute Care NP specialty. I think it is a great program and feel prepared for my new role. :) Best wishes to you all.

Specializes in Adult-Geriatrics.

Hi Christine,

Glad to hear that you enjoyed the program. I'm starting to get nervous as August is rapidly approaching. The summer seems like it is just flying along. We received our summer homework assignments about a month ago and thats when it really hit me. Thanks for the encouraging words!

-Johanna

Specializes in pediatrics.

Hi ,

can you give more detail about how they treated you when they found out you were pregnant? i might be in the same situation this fall. are you returning to classes right after??

thanks

Hi,

I was just wondering how the first semester of the GEP is going for everyone? I'm trying to decide what to do and I attended a GEP info session. It sounds great, but I have two little preschool children that I have to take into consideration, in terms of daycare and ability to get all the work done. Can anyone shed some insight on the schedule and intensity of the coursework and clinicals? I'd really appreciate any info at all!!!

Thanks!!

Specializes in Adult-Geriatrics.

Hi,

I don't know if anyone has responded to you yet...

I just noticed the message today b/c the alert was sent to my old email address.

So here are my thoughts:

I like the program a lot, but the first few weeks I absolutely wanted to quit.

Its a huge adjustment going from the working world to a full time student. It is a huge time commitment. It also takes a while to figure things out (for example, how to prioritize your work, how to take the NCLEX style exams, etc.), but once you figure things out it gets a lot better.

I can't speak from experience about doing the program with kids. A number of my classmates have children and they are making it. One classmate is a single parent and has 3 children. She basically had to move back in with her mom in order to do it, but she is making the sacrifice. I think students in my class who have kids are jumping over an extra hurdle, but its not impossible. I drive from the Springfield area and at first it killed me, but now I am getting used to it.

I hope this info helps you make a decision.

-Johanna

Specializes in Med/Surg - Cardiovascular.

Hi all,

I am starting this fall, 2009, in the Acute Care track. I am interested in hearing how the program has met or has failed to met your expectations. Is there any preparation you recommend ahead of classes starting on August 10th?

Thanks.

Specializes in Adult-Geriatrics.

There are a few things I think the program could do better, but overall the first year of the program has gone well. I think that organization could be a lot better- but faculty is taking our comments about these issues into consideration for next year...so hopefully things are better organized next year when you begin. One thing that is pretty difficult is the fact that we go year round pretty much without a break from work/classes. We began last August and we have had maybe about 6-7 weeks of vacation the entire year. Sounds good- but most of the vacations are "working" vacations if you know what I mean. We had 2 weeks in the end of December with no work. I am in the middle of a 2 week break now, but we began our summer session before our break so we have assignments. We get one more break in August before we begin the whole cycle over again. It can be very tiring so be sure to take time for yourself! As far as preparation...enjoy yourself as much as you can over the summer, but don't get too comfortable! Be prepared for a sprint when August begins :)

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