Boston Direct Entry Masters and DNP 2020

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Thought I would create a topic for this application cycle. I made one for both DNP and Masters since DNP applicants are considered for the Master's program as well. I assume that means they sometimes defer people to the Master's if they feel that they are not a good fit for the DNP program

12 minutes ago, Nursingmydream said:

Is there a deadline given to accept/ decline offer of acceptance? I’m trying to get a timeline because I’m waitlisted!

The deadline to respond is March 2. Best of luck to you!

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I'm likely going to give up my spot on the pediatric DNP route to go to Northeastern ? hopefully it helps y'all on the waitlist!

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Are any of you guys deciding between the DNP program at BC and MSN programs at other schools? I’m leaning towards BC mainly because the DNP is a terminal degree, but I’m not actually sure how much that will mean to employers after graduation. I’d definitely appreciate if you guys have any advice!! I’m deciding between BC and MGH if that’s important.

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16 minutes ago, Wzybrzy said:

Are any of you guys deciding between the DNP program at BC and MSN programs at other schools? I’m leaning towards BC mainly because the DNP is a terminal degree, but I’m not actually sure how much that will mean to employers after graduation. I’d definitely appreciate if you guys have any advice!! I’m deciding between BC and MGH if that’s important.

I think this is a really good point and something i grappled with as well. I ended up choosing BC because of the DNP because in my eyes i thought that with an MSN i would have to return to school at some point in my life. Furthermore i figured that a few more months of school to get the DNP would be more cost effective than paying for an MSN and docterate separately. I spoke with someone in admissions from MGH and they said that some students apply for a DNP there while still in the DEN program and usually get in because the faculty already know them. Its a tough situation because the recommendation is that by 2025 all direct entry programs offer a DNP so i was worried that an MSN would hold be back in 10 years. Simply my opinion and i dont know how valid/realistic they are to people in the field already!

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4 minutes ago, Niloc7732 said:

I think this is a really good point and something i grappled with as well. I ended up choosing BC because of the DNP because in my eyes i thought that with an MSN i would have to return to school at some point in my life. Furthermore i figured that a few more months of school to get the DNP would be more cost effective than paying for an MSN and docterate separately. I spoke with someone in admissions from MGH and they said that some students apply for a DNP there while still in the DEN program and usually get in because the faculty already know them. Its a tough situation because the recommendation is that by 2025 all direct entry programs offer a DNP so i was worried that an MSN would hold be back in 10 years. Simply my opinion and i dont know how valid/realistic they are to people in the field already!

I agree! I'm definitely leaning toward BC vs. an MSN program because of this. I am also looking to get my DNP eventually and figured this program would be the most efficient and cost-effective way.

I think the only thing holding me back right now is that I don't know much about BC it self. I can kind of tell that the resources provided at this school aren't as much as say, UPenn or Yale, but I hope to learn more at admitted students day. I also want to know more about what Connell SON's culture is like...do students in this program have good relationships with each other and the faculty? Is the faculty and student population diverse? If anyone can answer these for me I would appreciate it ?

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5 minutes ago, Niloc7732 said:

I think this is a really good point and something i grappled with as well. I ended up choosing BC because of the DNP because in my eyes i thought that with an MSN i would have to return to school at some point in my life. Furthermore i figured that a few more months of school to get the DNP would be more cost effective than paying for an MSN and docterate separately. I spoke with someone in admissions from MGH and they said that some students apply for a DNP there while still in the DEN program and usually get in because the faculty already know them. Its a tough situation because the recommendation is that by 2025 all direct entry programs offer a DNP so i was worried that an MSN would hold be back in 10 years. Simply my opinion and i dont know how valid/realistic they are to people in the field already!

Thanks for responding!! This is exactly what I was thinking. My main concern about BC is the cost. Financial aid letters are not sent until April, so it seems so risky to accept without knowing if I will be able to afford the program. MGH offered a scholarship, so I know that I would definitely be able to afford their program, but if I chose to pursue my DNP after, the cost of the DNP program would pretty much cancel out the scholarship. I’m hoping to be more sure about my decision after attending BC’s accepted students day!

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14 minutes ago, Niloc7732 said:

I think this is a really good point and something i grappled with as well. I ended up choosing BC because of the DNP because in my eyes i thought that with an MSN i would have to return to school at some point in my life. Furthermore i figured that a few more months of school to get the DNP would be more cost effective than paying for an MSN and docterate separately. I spoke with someone in admissions from MGH and they said that some students apply for a DNP there while still in the DEN program and usually get in because the faculty already know them. Its a tough situation because the recommendation is that by 2025 all direct entry programs offer a DNP so i was worried that an MSN would hold be back in 10 years. Simply my opinion and i dont know how valid/realistic they are to people in the field already!

While all these points are valid and I always thought the same, all nps I work with are msns and the only DNPs I see are more managerial and I met with the chief nursing officer of my company to discuss pros and cons to both and her advice was all u need is the msn if you want to stay clinical, and if you want to be a cno or a non clinical manager that’s when the dnp is helpful because that extra studies help you to learn how to improve the np role and healthcare practices. She (along with nps I work with) have said there is no pay difference when clinical if you have a msn or dnp. She also said if you eventually want to be non clinical/manager staff to work clinically first to understand how that all works and to have a better idea of what you are studying when in the dnp part. They’ve also been saying for 10 years that they want all entry level nursing to be dnp but the concensus is that isn’t going to happen because their isn’t agreement on what to focus the dnp education on (clinical med vs management) and until they can figure that out their won’t be sweeping changes. When they do decide to make the change previously educated nps with an msn would be grandfathered in.

i apologize for any errors I was wrote this on an iphone

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7 minutes ago, klnurse said:

I agree! I'm definitely leaning toward BC vs. an MSN program because of this. I am also looking to get my DNP eventually and figured this program would be the most efficient and cost-effective way.

I think the only thing holding me back right now is that I don't know much about BC it self. I can kind of tell that the resources provided at this school aren't as much as say, UPenn or Yale, but I hope to learn more at admitted students day. I also want to know more about what Connell SON's culture is like...do students in this program have good relationships with each other and the faculty? Is the faculty and student population diverse? If anyone can answer these for me I would appreciate it ?

I’m turning a little away from bc because it seems to be a little more theoretical in style of education. I personally have had both recent and older grads say they didn’t feel a prepared to practice when they graduated. It also is only the second year of this being a dnp program so who knows if they worked the kinks out yet. It’s also a private university and with the dnp factor the price is crazy high

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2 minutes ago, MAGGIE-EMT said:

I’m turning a little away from bc because it seems to be a little more theoretical in style of education. I personally have had both recent and older grads say they didn’t feel a prepared to practice when they graduated. It also is only the second year of this being a dnp program so who knows if they worked the kinks out yet. It’s also a private university and with the dnp factor the price is crazy high

That’s super helpful information! I noticed that when I was comparing the curriculum of BC to that of MGH, BC’s seemed a lot more theoretical which worried me a bit. I definitely want to feel prepared to practice, so this is a big factor.

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I am also between different programs (Yale, BC, MGH). The decision is so hard! The one good thing is that with the DNP BC has students do 1000 clinical hours rather than 500, so I think that would help us feel more prepared. Also is anyone coming to the accepted students day?

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1 hour ago, MAGGIE-EMT said:

I’m turning a little away from bc because it seems to be a little more theoretical in style of education. I personally have had both recent and older grads say they didn’t feel a prepared to practice when they graduated. It also is only the second year of this being a dnp program so who knows if they worked the kinks out yet. It’s also a private university and with the dnp factor the price is crazy high

Thanks for the info! Yeah I am also a little worried about the DNP program being new. I actually thought this coming cohort would be the first for the direct entry DNP?

Edit: Forgot to add, the price for the program seems pretty reasonable actually. I called the other day and the estimated cost of the entire program (tuition + fees) is $162,000. If I'm not mistaken UPenn and Yale are around the same price (or even more expensive i think), but less semesters and only an MSN degree. Not sure how it compares to MGH though, since I did not apply there. It also helps that BC is the only place I have gotten a scholarship.

1 hour ago, kelly_cavan said:

I am also between different programs (Yale, BC, MGH). The decision is so hard! The one good thing is that with the DNP BC has students do 1000 clinical hours rather than 500, so I think that would help us feel more prepared. Also is anyone coming to the accepted students day?

Oh dang, that's a lot of hours, but good to know! That will definitely help us feel prepared.

I'll be going to accepted students day!

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Hi All - it's fabulous that so many of you have these great options.

Did anyone just hear from MGH for their accelerated MSN program?

Wondering how extensive their waitlist is!

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