I had posted this at the end of another thread, but I am not sure if anyone saw it, so I figured I would start a new one...
I was just accepted into the BC Master's-Entry Program, and I was wondering what the schedule is like? Do we start in August with an orientation, or go right to class? Also, I am interested in the Women's Health specialty, and I was wondering also if anyone would have any information about that? Are all the classes on the main BC campus? Finally, are there special uniforms that we are supposed to buy, because it said something about that in the letter. Thanks so much!
I am choosing BC's Master entry route over other schools(yale,columbia,umass,uroch,MGH) because of its close proximity to Boston, and along those lines, it being the most reputable name in Boston. Furthermore, the duration of the program was attractive given my clearly defined professional goal and interests.
Regardless of what program you choose to enter, I think you have to have the mindset that there is going to be a significant learning curve when you enter the professional realm. I think if you come to terms with this idea, you will get more out of your education(as you will strive to deaccelerate the curve with acquired knoweledge from your program of study) and furthermore, will be prepared and willing to tackle whatever scenario comes your way using your avalaible assets. In short, I believe you get out what you put in. No number of clinical experiences can replace drive and grit.
Thank you both for your responses! I have one further question: I don't know what to make of BC's...parochialism. BCgradnurse, do you have any thoughts on this. Maureen Eldredge insisted to me on the phone today that the Catholic foundation of BC "doesn't effect what we teach."
Can this really be true in a place where condoms are not distributed in the health center?
Is there touchiness around topics like birth control, abortion and stem cell reserach, to the extent that it effects a nursing education/dialog?
Nicks, it's nice to hear a BC vote of confidence. I'm leaning that way this week (trying to avoid sending Yale $600 Friday if I can make a decision). The length IS very attractive and a New Haven move would mean uprooting my fiance (or dealing with distance). Plus Yale is signif more expensive (I wasn't given a heck of a lot of scholarship $$ thru Yale). I think I've met you (your school list sounds familiar) - were you at the third interview day at Yale?
That's a valid question. I think I can best answer it by saying we had our lecture on birth control this past Monday (and it included all methods, not just rhythm), and our lecture on abortion is next week. I don't find that the Catholic church is influencing the curriculum at all.
If the third interview session was Jan 22, I was there. Did you live right outside of Boston in a town that begins with an M? If so I believe I remember you.
And BCGradNurse, thank you...that's reassuring. Maybe this is a strange question, but do you get the sense that many of the faculty, administration, and students are Catholic/Christian? Or simply the standard mix of faith and belief? Or does it not really come up?
I think there's a good mix of religious denominations amongst the faculty and students. I have never found that religion plays even a minor role in what we are taught, and in our relationships with the faculty and our peers. I am not Catholic/Christian, and I don't feel out of place at all. But I have to say I am loving our long Easter break...Thurs, Fri., and Monday off...LOL!
I have a question...where are the clinicals (RN portion of the program) located? Like which exact hospitals in Boston, and what is the schedule like for these clinicals? My main concern is that I'm not from the area and I really don't want to have a car in Boston. Are the hospitals accessible by public transit (T, bus, etc.)? Is it possible to do the MSN program without having a car?
Thank you in advance. Any advice would be a huge help and is greatly appreciated.
Virtually all of the first year clinicals are at places in Boston that are accessible by public transportation. You are asked for your preferences for clinical sites each semester, and they do try to honor at least some of your requests. However, we were told that for second year you might need a car, as some of the specialty placements are outside the city. You might be able to get around that by renting a zip car if you only have to go outside of Boston 1 or 2 days a week. First year clinicals are all done in groups, so you'll have 4 or 5 other students with you. Second year clinicals are one person per site, so you can't even catch a ride with someone.
1st semester clinicals (adult health) were at Mass General, Beth Israel, and New England Medical Center...there may be one more I'm forgetting. Pediatrics are at Children's, Boston Medical Center, Mass General, and Spaulding Rehab Center. All of adult and most of pedi were days (7-3). OB clinicals are at Mass General, Beth Israel, and Brigham& Womens-some people have days, and other groups have evenings. Community health clinicals are half of 2nd semester and are at a whole range of locations, both in and outside of Boston. Psych is at St. Elizabeth's, Arbour Hospital, Cambridge health Alliance, Carney Hospital, and MacLean Hospital. I think all psych locations are on the T except for MacLean. But you do get to state your preferences for either location or time. For instance, I needed a day time OB clinical on Tuesdays cause I work Tuesday nights, and told them that the time was more important than the location. However, I didn't get the pedi site or the psych site I requested, but I did get what was most important to me-the Tuesday day clinical. However, keep in mind that these sites are subject to change year to year.
Hope this helps. Let meknow if you have any more questions.
Thank you so much for all your insight and for the prompt response! It is definitely very helpful to find out about the program scheduling and clinical locations, especially from someone that is actually in the program. Thanks again.
nicks
18 Posts
I am choosing BC's Master entry route over other schools(yale,columbia,umass,uroch,MGH) because of its close proximity to Boston, and along those lines, it being the most reputable name in Boston. Furthermore, the duration of the program was attractive given my clearly defined professional goal and interests.
Regardless of what program you choose to enter, I think you have to have the mindset that there is going to be a significant learning curve when you enter the professional realm. I think if you come to terms with this idea, you will get more out of your education(as you will strive to deaccelerate the curve with acquired knoweledge from your program of study) and furthermore, will be prepared and willing to tackle whatever scenario comes your way using your avalaible assets. In short, I believe you get out what you put in. No number of clinical experiences can replace drive and grit.
Hope this helps and good luck choosing a program!