Boston College Direct Entry MSN 2019

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Starting a thread for Boston College Direct Entry MSN applicants for Summer 2019. Looks like we are the last class before BC goes to a DNP direct entry program!

I'm applying for the Psych/MH track, based on work/life experiences in the mental health realm. My cousin went through the BC program a few years ago, loved it, and has a job she really enjoys.

I am wondering, do all applying have a great deal of healthcare experience? My grades and GRE scores were pretty solid, but I have not worked in a hospital. Thanks!

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Hi everyone, I'm applying for the women's health program! Boston doesn't do interviews, right, we just wait to hear back?

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NPtoBe123, I work on a med-surg unit as a PCT, which has been great experience - but isn't related to my specialty, so I have similar questions. I've asked many schools if not having specialty-related healthcare experience is a problem and almost everyone says as long as you can articulate why you chose the specialty and that you understand what you are getting into (i.e. shadowing, talking with other providers) you should definitely apply! Not sure if this is true, but since BC requires 2 academic letters that makes me think they stress academic history a little more than others as well. Good luck!

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NPtoBe123, my first career is in healthcare so the majority of my full-time experience has been at health-related organizations and hospitals on the programmatic/administration side of things. To confirm that nursing was the career change I wanted to make, I got my CNA certification a few years ago and have been working per diem as a PCT in areas like med/surg and oncology, and when I'm occasionally floated I go to other units like ortho, cardiology, etc. It has been great experience and I love my PCT job in taking care of patients and families, and am ready to dive further into the nursing field. I agree with ktpineapple that you'll want to be able to articulate why you chose the specialty you did and demonstrate you've done your homework shadowing and speaking with RNs and NPs in the field. I'm sure these programs are looking to build a diverse cohort and value applicants with various backgrounds. Many schools I've heard from will mention that they've had students come from all walks of life - artists, accountants, PR/comms specialists, etc. - in addition to those from the health/science fields.

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That is my understanding as well-BC does not do interviews.

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Hello all!! Applied for PNP and now the wait begins. Does anyone know when we should hear back on acceptance or denial? Also who still has not taken the pathophysiology course? Does anyone know where I can take it online and cheap?

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I think they said at the info session that we would hear in beginning to mid February! Unfortunately, I was a biology major so I did not take the patho class. Good luck!

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I plan to take the UC Berkeley extension online pathophysiology course. I prefer to wait on the admission decision before enrolling since no other program requires it as a prereq.

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I'm taking the UC Berkeley Extension online pathophysiology course right now. Other schools don't require patho as pre-req since you take it your first year in the direct-entry program, but I figured there is so much material to learn that doing a foundational course in patho before school starts can't hurt. Other patho courses BC suggested when I asked them at an info session included: online at UNE, Butler, and they said Regis also offers an in-person one. I didn't look into the rest - FYI.

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I did not know about this program at UC. I too will wait until I get a decision from BC before I register for the course.

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My only concern about waiting is that on the website it says that all prerequisite courses need to be completed by June 30th.

I haven't taken the class and I'm not sure how to go about it without wasting money if I don't get accepted or decide to not attend if I am.

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Hopefully decisions will be sent out early February because UC's website says students have a min. Of 90 days to complete the course which is approximately 3 months. That would give stdents the time to get the grades in by June 30th.

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