Be honest! ABSN MCPHS Worcester fall 2015

U.S.A. Massachusetts

Published

Hi everyone!

I was just accepted fall 2015 ABSN class at MCPHS Worcester. I'm really considering the school. It's not far from where I did my undergrad so I'm familiar with the area and such. And the tuition is cheaper than the other schools that I am considering.

I would really like to get honest opinions about the school before I accept. I'm already doing my own research on the school's website, here on all nurses, and I am getting in contact with alum (hopefully) with the help of the school.

What did you think about the school? The professors? The structure of the program? I've heard about front-loading, but I'm still a bit confused. what was the best method to study for exams? Anything that you'll be willing to tell me, I will take it!

Thanks in in advance everyone!

Thanks for the info. Also, how long are classes a day? What's a typical day like? Are there writing assignments, such as long papers or lab write ups?

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Specializes in Neuro/NSGY, critical care, med/stroke/tele.

Also, how long are classes a day?

In N1, pretty much all day every day with maybe one half day and one day that's half lab. For N2 (when not front-loading), usually one and a half full days of teaching a week and 24 hours of clinical.

What's a typical day like? Are there writing assignments, such as long papers or lab write ups?

Again, depends on what semester. Yes to writing assignments; there are papers, care plans, and lab assignments.

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Here to read. Applying for Spring 2016.

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Specializes in Neuro/NSGY, critical care, med/stroke/tele.

Good luck!!

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CiaMai,

How did you finance your studies at MCP? Secondly, what is this HESI exam?

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Specializes in Neuro/NSGY, critical care, med/stroke/tele.

Sallie Mae! Heh.

And HESI is the system of testing that MCP uses for nursing; there are two big ones - HESI and ATI. They use NCLEX style questions. You can read more here HESI exam - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia -- most classes have HESI finals. There are also HESI review books.

What's nice is they break down the areas you are stronger and weaker in, and you can do study packets (or it you get under the recommended level, remediation) to review what you had trouble with. What's not so nice is that they're hard to study for, because they're situation and application questions rather than just asking for information. Also the faculty have no control over the questions themselves.

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CiaMia: I was just accepted to the MCPHS Manchester ABSN and am deciding on whether to pick it over other programs. If you don't mind, I have a few more questions for you.

- What is the city of Manchester like? What kinds of things are there to do for fun? Do you suggest any particular housing?

- What is the academic calendar like for the program? Are there any holiday breaks (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring, etc.)? If so how long do they last?

Thanks!

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Specializes in Neuro/NSGY, critical care, med/stroke/tele.
CiaMia: I was just accepted to the MCPHS Manchester ABSN and am deciding on whether to pick it over other programs. If you don't mind, I have a few more questions for you.

Congrats! So exciting. Let me know if you're in the area (or Boston area) and want to get coffee or something to talk.

- What is the city of Manchester like? What kinds of things are there to do for fun? Do you suggest any particular housing?

I don't actually live in Manchester, but I do know there are fun places to eat and drink close to school; there's the Mall of NH also which is really nice, and outlets too. We've done some activities through school, and there's the YMCA, gyms, etc. We can also get subsidized movie tickets through school, and sometimes they have tickets to sporting events etc. I haven't checked it out but I think there's some nice local walking trails, and maybe things to do on the river. Boston is really only an hour away too, for bigger things!

- What is the academic calendar like for the program? Are there any holiday breaks (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring, etc.)? If so how long do they last?

It starts the first week of September as far as I remember; there's two days at Thanksgiving and about a month from mid-December to mid-January; we had about a week of spring break in April, and then we have about 3.5 weeks in August. We finish mid-December.

Hope that helps!

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Hello CiaMia. I recently got accepted into MCPHS for Spring 2016 but it is expensive! Since you've been so helpful (very much appreciated) with all the information you've provided in this thread and several others, I was wondering if you had any advice on how to pay for the program.

Also, sorry I'm messaging you here. I don't have enough "points" to PM you.

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Specializes in Neuro/NSGY, critical care, med/stroke/tele.

Ohh, so I'm not the best person to talk to about that piece I'm afraid; I wasn't eligible for any federal/government-related funding so everything was done private loan (Sallie Mae owns me heh). I'm sorry!!

I can talk a little about working during the program though. I did alternating Sundays for 12 hours (but it was very flexible), and I know people who did part time/per diem as aides or patient care technicians etc. What I would say is, only do it if you have STRONG time management skills and not a lot of other commitments (family etc) because you really do need your downtime and study time. Especially as an N1 (first semester), you are pretty solidly in class/lab 8:30-5 M-F (with maybe a half day or two/week since not everyone is in lab at the same time).

If it's going to really affect you being able to keep up (especially at the start while you're getting into the nursing mindset and really trying to lay that foundation with the basics you need to know cold), it's not worth it. Yes, experience can be helpful, but you'll be able to use your clinical rotations and instructors as references too - no point having experience as an aide/tech if it's going to stop you from making it through the program. It gets a little easier the further through you get, I think, because you're into a learning groove and you're building on things you're already familiar with.

Hope that helps! :)

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Thank you CiaMia! :)

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Hi, I am wondering about the entrance HESI exam. Would I be penalize if I don't receive a good score for the HESI and what is the exam about? Thank you

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