Direct Entry MSN...MGH vs. Simmons?

fotografe · Mar 13, 2005

Both are relatively new but very reputable with clinicals in great hospitals. I am looking at them both too, and I don't think you can go wrong with either. Not to slight my future male colleagues, but personally I am interested in the all female environment of Simmons. Visit both and see what you are comfortable with.

Hi everyone, I am trying to decide which school to attend in Boston for a direct-entry MSN - MGH or Simmons. Any insights? Personal Experiences? Thanks - nico

max6well · Mar 14, 2005

The MSN entry program is not all female.

Both are relatively new but very reputable with clinicals in great hospitals. I am looking at them both too, and I don't think you can go wrong with either. Not to slight my future male colleagues, but personally I am interested in the all female environment of Simmons. Visit both and see what you are comfortable with.

fotografe · Mar 14, 2005

Really? I did not know that. OK, then that is off the checklist. Thanks.

The MSN entry program is not all female.

NP-to-be · Mar 15, 2005

Hi everyone, I am trying to decide which school to attend in Boston for a direct-entry MSN - MGH or Simmons. Any insights? Personal Experiences? Thanks - nico
P.S. Any quick advice would be much appreciated...since simmons wants money from me SOON.

Quakerkid - I am deciding between Simmons, MGH and BC. Since I was accepted to Simmons in January I already had to send in my $$$. Even since my new acceptances, I am still leaning towards Simmons. Have you made a decision yet ??

quakerkid · Mar 15, 2005

Quakerkid - I am deciding between Simmons, MGH and BC. Since I was accepted to Simmons in January I already had to send in my $$$. Even since my new acceptances, I am still leaning towards Simmons. Have you made a decision yet ??

Hi, I guess I have not made a final decision yet, but I let my due date, for the money, pass by - so I geuss that means I am going to MGH. I have taken some of my pre-recs at simmons, and liked the classes, but there was something that made me uncomfortable - I didn't really like the vibe of the whole place. On the other hand everything about MGH has made me feel good. I also did not like how pressured I felt by Simmons to make a decision in less than two weeks. They have to understand that people apply to multiple places and need to hear back from them all before being able to make an informed decision. What is making you lean towards simmons?

NP-to-be · Mar 15, 2005

Hi, I guess I have not made a final decision yet, but I let my due date, for the money, pass by - so I geuss that means I am going to MGH. I have taken some of my pre-recs at simmons, and liked the classes, but there was something that made me uncomfortable - I didn't really like the vibe of the whole place. On the other hand everything about MGH has made me feel good. I also did not like how pressured I felt by Simmons to make a decision in less than two weeks. They have to understand that people apply to multiple places and need to hear back from them all before being able to make an informed decision. What is making you lean towards simmons?

I don't like the deadlines either! BC allows a month before requiring a deposit, which is great.

What classes have you taken at Simmons? It's interesting to hear your feedback because I have been leaning towards Simmons based on my gut feeling about liking it! I also liked MGH but for some reason I just got a real community feel at Simmons which I like. I am going back for a visit next week and will sit in on a class and meet some students. I am hoping that this will finalize my decision. Did you have any specific experiences w/ nursing faculty or students that gave you a bad vibe? I'm very curious about your experience there. Since I've only attended an info session it's hard to judge accurately!

I'm sure you'll be very happy at MGH, congrats !! What specialty have you been accepted into?

quakerkid · Mar 15, 2005

I don't like the deadlines either! BC allows a month before requiring a deposit, which is great.
What classes have you taken at Simmons? It's interesting to hear your feedback because I have been leaning towards Simmons based on my gut feeling about liking it! I also liked MGH but for some reason I just got a real community feel at Simmons which I like. I am going back for a visit next week and will sit in on a class and meet some students. I am hoping that this will finalize my decision. Did you have any specific experiences w/ nursing faculty or students that gave you a bad vibe? I'm very curious about your experience there. Since I've only attended an info session it's hard to judge accurately!
I'm sure you'll be very happy at MGH, congrats !! What specialty have you been accepted into?

I took both my chemistry classes, and my stats there - and the content was good, but i didnt 'enjoy' myself. I didnt get excited about going to class. But that may have also had something to do with the fact that I am several years older than everyone else in those classes... I'm sure different people get different vibes from Simmons. I think it just isnt for me. I was accepted into the acute care track, which is what i was hoping for.

But I also didnt want to rule out Simmons based on a 'feeling', so i have been trying to look for quantatative evidence of differences between the programs, and have not found many...Simmons is more expensive, does not have the summer off, and requires more credits. MGHIHP has priority placement in partners healthcare hospitals for their students - or so I was told once - that for every one student from other schools, MGHIHP is allowed to place two into select programs.

Still, I wonder if there are other factors which I am missing....