I was wondering if anyone had any advice or ideas to what exactly this course is (or what BC is looking for exactly) and where you know of in the Boston area that offers this particular brand of Chemistry:
Life Science Chemistry w/Lab or Organic Chemistry w/Lab
General Chemistry will not be accepted
I understand the Orgo. part, but Life Sci. Chem? I need to start finding places that offer these courses and Bunker Hill currently does not. Any ideas or, have you have to take this over the summer in Boston as well? If so, where?
Oh i see in previous posts you already found the website, haha sorry for that! But I would definitely call BC and tell them the details and ask whether or not its acceptable.
Thanks so much for the help suga70! I e-mailed Maureen this morning to see what she thinks about those classes, I mean, they ARE meant for allied health and nursing professionals, so...I sure hope they're acceptable.
Which classes do you need to take again, suga? I plan on taking Anat/Phys and Chem (if acceptable, fingers crossed) at Regis and Micro. either at BHCC or BC Summer Session.
And RooneyFan, I totally forgot to answer your question! I didn't apply to Columbia due to the summer start and BC's accelerated program was just what I was looking for. I mean, two years and we'll be NPs! That's amazing. It is a lot of hard work but I think if you are 100% devoted to the subject and don't leave your room and stop studying, heh, i think we'll be okay!
But yes, BC has a great reputation in nursing and the class size is more along the lins of what I am used to. They really pay attention to the student and you don't get lost as you might in a huge program. The Boston hospitals are crazy competitive as well and I've been told that a lot of nursing students at BC have been picked up by the hospitals they worked at whilst in school.
And then there's the campus...just gorgeous and the amounf of resources available to you are just staggering! All in all the program is just great and really, reallly prepares you to be an NP!
thanks for replying guys! its great to find people excited about BC's program, because recently I've been hearing a lot about Columbia. I guess the thing about BC that I'm worried about is that it might be TOO short. Do you guys know if its short because we will be missing any important classes or fewer clinical hours? Should I just ask Maureen about this? If its hard to get nursing positions in Boston, should we be worried then about getting jobs?
Sorry for all the questions, its just that you two seem really excited and I want to be excited with you guys! =)
I just want to be sure, because I'll be moving from CA. But I'm definitely going to visit the campus before I decide for sure.
Oo, California, eh? I lived in Laguna Beach for a year with my parents. Beautiful town, but I'm more of an East Coaster. Well, from what i've heard is that the reason ours is so short is because we are in hospital by the third week! We finish the RN portion and are ready to take the NCLEX by the end of Summer of year one and then we have the option to go part time. I am not sure if Columbia goes through summer, if not, that explains our short finish time.
It's not that it's hard, exactly, it's just competitive and graduating from BC sure makes us competitive applicants. I don't anticipate a really huge problem, to be honest. The job market for nurses is actually pretty strong so I wouldn't worry! We will cross that bridge when we graduate!
Have you visited either Columbia or BC? And don't worry, we're hear to help you through your decision!
Ahh I've always wanted to live in Cali. I'm actually planning on moving the the San Diego area after graduation, which is why graduating in 2 years is also a plus. I actually visited the campus today with my boyfriend and i LOOOOOVE it. We just wandered around the gym, the nursing building, the library, etc. Now I just got to finish up A&P2 and micro, find a orgo class, find a place to live and a roomie! As for getting a job, I've just heard that its really competitive in the Boston area. I'm sure its not like that everywhere. I just had a friend who went to a lesser known school in mass get a job in the PICU at John Hopkins. So I think you will be fine regardless where you go, but if you plan on living in Boston after graduation going to BC is def a plus because it would give you a competitve edge over graduates from other schools in the area.
I'm still waiting on Yale which may be a real possibility if I get in, but who knows if that will happen. BC is definitely amazing and I am so so happy that I very well may be there this fall!
Oh you visited campus today?! Isn't it amazing! I visited in Fall as well, just before i applied, and I was stunned and left seriously hoping I would be able to get in, the wait was torture! I didn't visit the nursing building, what's it like and where exactly on campus is it? Let me know what you do for orgo btw, we may end up being classmates! And i agree with the compet. edge thing, BC will surely help you there.
Good luck on Yale, too, suga! Though i hope you choose BC!
I'm in my last semester in the FNP program at BC. I don't want to burst anyone's bubble, but just wanted to give you some idea of what the program is like. It is very intense, and you really won't have a lot of free time to enjoy the campus and amenities of the college. I also think the program is in a time of transition, but for the better. Members of my class have put significant effort into developing improvements for future students, as we did not always get the info we needed. My class has had some issues re: clinical placements for the NP year, but we have a new dean and hopefully those issues are being addressed. The RN clinicals were great-it was wonderful to be learning at some of the best hospitals in the world. My advice would be to try and find at least some of your own NP clinical sites, if at all possible. You can start thinking about that at the end of your first year, particularly if you don't have a car and want to stay in Boston. I live south of Boston and have a clinical in Rhode Island, and it is so worth the drive! Some of my class mates are driving to Cape Cod and New hampshire. There's a lot of competition for clinical sites in Boston, as there are several schools with NP programs. If you can afford to have a car your 2nd year, you'll have many more opportunities. As far as taking pre-reqs, find the cheapest school possible. I took most of mine at Massasoit CC and Mass Bay CC. Massasoit has an on-line A&P course that only met 5 times for labs. I thought it was fabulous. You'll be spending enough money at BC, so try to save some on your pre-reqs. My classmates also tell me that living in BC grad housing is more expensive than finding your own place.
It's a tough and challenging program, but I think it's worth the "pain and suffering" for 2 years. Good luck with the pre-reqs, and feel free to ask anything you want about BC.
Well thanks for the information! I believe it is worth the hard two years we will be facing and we'll just have to stick with it. How do you go about "finding" your own NP clinical sites? And if I may ask, what did you take for the Life Sci Chem/Orgo class?
Again, thanks for the info, it gives a little bit of insight into the program!
hmm yea, i was kind of expecting that. i've heard that most accelerated nursing programs are pretty much like hell and you hardly have time for anything but studying. but hey, i think it will be worth the pain and suffering if we are done in 2 years and can do what we want to do career wise! BCgradnurse, do you think that BC has a solid support system/sense of community? This is something that is very important to me if I am going to enter such an intense, rigorous program. Are the teachers approachable? I'm not looking for someone to hold my hand throughout the process, but at least have faculty who want their students to do well and who are available for help. Do you feel like you are prepared to practice as an NP even though you've only been in school for 2 years? Sorry for all the questions haha and thanks for all the info, it is very helpful!
I have a degree in a science field, so I had already taken several chem courses. However, it had been over 10 years since I graduated so I needed to retake some things. I took the CLEP exam for basic college or inorganic chemistry, and then took a semester of organic chem. As far as finding your own sites, it's all about talking to people...your professors, the nurses at your RN clinical sites, the doctor's office you walk by on your way to your clinical....anyone who is at all connected to health care. If you can't find them on your own it's not the end of the world, but it's one less administrative hassle to deal with.
I think the students are all very close and support each other. It's a small class, and although you'll have your close friends, you'll know everyone. I have found the majority of the faculty to be approachable and supportive. They really want you to do well, and will help...but you have to take the initiative and ask for what you need.
I don't feel quite ready to practice as an NP just yet, but I feel lot more ready than I did 3 months ago. There are certain areas I have a higher level of comfort in than others. But, like in most professions, you learn most of it on the job. And hopefully, I'll be finding that "right" first job soon!
Hey! I was accepted into the 2009 class as well! I am also trying to figure out what I can take for the life chem course, as I have not taken chemistry since high school! Have any of you received tuition remission? Do you know if that is mailed with your acceptance letter or if you find out about it later?
Good luck with the pre-reqs, and feel free to ask anything you want about BC.
suga70
86 Posts
Oh i see in previous posts you already found the website, haha sorry for that! But I would definitely call BC and tell them the details and ask whether or not its acceptable.