BC Master's Entry Info.

nicks · Feb 9, 2008

I'm in the same boat as you. I'll let you know if I find any of those details out. By the way why did you choose BC, apply anywhere else?

Webbigail · Feb 11, 2008

Yes, I applied to MGH, but haven't heard yet )

allnurses Guide · Feb 16, 2008

Hi-I'm in my first year at the BC ME program. Here's what the schedule is like. We had a week in late August for orientation and Health Assessment. We had health assessment for a half day for 5 days. it was pretty intense-tons of reading, quizzes every day, and a competency exam at the end of the week. Then we started our regular schedule after that. First semester you'll have classes 3 days a week and clinical one day a week. Yes....you do have a day off!! Second semester we have classes on Mon and Fri, clinicals Tues. and Thurs. all semester, and another clinical on Wed. for half the semester. So..you have a day off for half the semester. I found the first semester to be much more academically rigorous, and the second semester is more focused on clinical and practical applications of knowledge. However, there's still lots of studying and writing even with the clinicals, but I think it's more interesting.

Hope this answers your questions. Let me know if you have more.

Webbigail · Feb 18, 2008

Thank you! That helps a lot!

allnurses Guide · Feb 19, 2008

I just realized I didn't answer all your questions! All classes are on the main campus in Chestnut Hill, but clinicals are mostly in Boston. For 2nd semester, some clinicals are in the evening and some of the community health clinicals (1/2 semester) are outside of Boston. You need maroon scrubs for your clinicals-the bookstore sells BC scrubs, but they're expensive and they don't have enough pockets. The orientation stuff says you need white shoes and a lab coat, but nobody cares what shoes you wear and you don't need the lab coat at all. Some of my classmates are working with admin now to clarify these details and others for next Fall's class. They may also be revamping the 1 week Health Assessment class, since we were all so stressed by the fast pace. let me know if there's anything else I can share with you. Have you definitely decided on BC???

nicks · Feb 19, 2008

What topics are covered in the one week health assessment course?

allnurses Guide · Feb 19, 2008

It was basically how to do a head to toe physical assessment. After the week was over the instructors scheduled a time for each of us to actually perform this exam on our lab partner, and we were graded on it. We were all freaked out over it, but it wasn't so bad....we all passed!

Webbigail · Feb 21, 2008

Thank you so much for all of the info. I sent my deposit yesterday, so I am definately going to BC. I am really excited, even though my honeymoon is going to be cut short by a few days because of the August start date! I am kinda nervous about the health assessment! It sounds like a lot for the first week! LoL... One more question, (when you get a minute), do they have a commencement thing at the end? And where have you done your clinicals? And what is your concentration? Ok...so I guess it was more than one question...

-Jackie

allnurses Guide · Feb 22, 2008

Hi- That's a bummer about having to cut your honeymoon short. One of the women in my class actually got married a few days before we started school, so she had no honeymoon at all. Maybe you can make up for it over winter break!

We do participate in the college's commencement, and I think there is a special dinner for the nursin school at the end of the program.

The first week is a lot, but it's only half days so you do have time to get your reading done. The advantage is you go into your first clinical already knowing how to do a complete assessment. I did my adult health clinical at New England Medical. Now I have OB at Beth Israel (LOVE IT!!), Peds at Boston Med Center, and will have Psych later this semester at Carney. I've applied to do my 6 week summer synthesis in OB, and I'm waiting to hear where I end up. My specialty is Family. I started as Adult, but I switched cause I like working with kids and wanted to have as many options as possible after graduation.

Hope this helps!

AHJuly · Mar 9, 2008

Hi,

I know this conversation ended weeks ago, but perhaps somebody will see this. I'm accepted for BC Master's Entry too... apart from great reviews, I heard that BC is (a) too fast and (b) too theory-based. I am really nervous to go to a program that is not more "clinical" in emphasis....

Does anybody, BC student/grad or no, have opinions on this?

I am also considering Yale (got in) and MGH (still waiting), both of which I heard are more "clinical"....

Thanks a lot!

A

allnurses Guide · Mar 9, 2008

Hi and congrats on your acceptances. I'm in my second semester of the ME program at BC and I'm pretty happy with it. Yes, it's very fast paced, but I don't think it's too heavy on theory. I think you need the theory to understand why you make care decisions. I've also been pretty happy with my clinical experiences. i know there is a certain number of clinical hours that are required by accrediting and licensing agencies, and BC does meet this standard. Maybe other programs do go above and beyond this, but I don't know. Finishing a program in 2 years is really important to me, which is the main reason I chose BC (plus you can park there!). The workload is heavy, the pace is very quick, but I'm loving it and I have never regretted my decision to go to BC. Hope this helps. Good luck with your decision!