2009 Direct Entry MSN at MGHIHP

NPNICO · Apr 15, 2009

Guys,

I don't believe I am all alone out there, but curious to know where other people are at. I am starting NP school in Fall 09. Like most of us, I will need to quit work for schools. Of course, I will need Living expenses + the Tuition + travelling and Books. So, for the 3 years, I calculated that I will owe at least $150,000. Is this insane or what? I wonder what other people owe, will owe. and what good plans do you have for repayment. Upon graduation, I will need a salary of at least $100,000 to break even. Right?

Please share your thoughts on this.....

NPNICO

26faster · May 1, 2009

I'm freaking out a little over the money too now that MGH is starting to feel more like a reality. It's a lot of money! It's hard to justify. I'm almost 33, so be done at 36 and then own $150,000 plus of debt. Even if I pay $1000/month for the subsequent 15 years I'll be 50 by the time it's paid off. Sounds crazy!

I'm single and don't have kids yet so I'm thinking geez what if I'm done and want to have a baby and I have all this debt etc.

For a while there I was really considering saying forget it. It does not a smart move. Then, I thought again about why I endured retaking micro, chem etc (I graduated in dietetics in 98' so had to retake a lot of courses) and why I applied in the first place. Getting back to my reasoning behind the decision to apply helped me to reframe how to think about all that debt.

Married, single, kids, no kids most of us will spend a lot of our lives and a lot of time working.

Not to bring up something else to worry about :) but....I was reading another post where some individuals were saying direct-entry students have a harder time finding employment after graduation. Has anyone heard this? Orginally I was thinking we'll be able to work as RNs once we are half way through the program however if it's true we aren't likely to be hired because we don't have a BSN how's that going to work?

26faster · May 1, 2009

Just as an fyi for the Science Summer if anyone happens to be in the same boat I was in. Chemistry was all I had left to take this Summer and I'm currently not living in Boston. I couldn't find any local classes (LA) that fit the description of what the MGH requirments were and then found out that the Science Summer chem class wasn't on-line, So, I ended up finding an on-line chem class with general, biochem and organic components (Weber Univeristy) that was accepted by the program (DEN). It's around $1100 including books. I started it early (prof is really flexible) because I wanted to have a break before September. Chem doesn't not come easy for me but so far it really hasn't been too bad.

applying2nursing-de · May 1, 2009

FYI-I just took that course. The course isn't too bad, but the professor makes A TON of mistakes in the online lectures (the Tutor). There were also several mistakes on the quizzes (for example he would quiz on info not yet discussed) and I am not sure if he would have fixed my grade, had I not told him. On top of that, the online labs are difficult to read so be prepared to contact the lab professor to ask questions, who prefers phone over e-mail.

The actual material covered in the book is pretty simple and straightforward so I advise you to read the materials yourself instead of relying on his lectures. His lectures will help with some of the prep work for exams but just wanted to warn you ahead of time in case he hasn't fixed the errors (I literally just took my final).

26faster · May 1, 2009

Hi! I took the first test and the first 6 quizzes. He might have corrected the errors because they seemed to fit with the material in the book. I haven't actually even viewed the tutor so maybe that's helping me if there are mistakes in it. :) He hasn't graded any of my lab work yet but I'd agree it is a little confusing being we aren't actually breaking out any Bunsen burners. Thanks for the heads up!

applying2nursing-de · May 1, 2009

sweet! I am glad he fixed those errors good luck!

applying2nursing-de · Jun 7, 2009

I just got pulled off the wait list! I just got my acceptance letter to MGHIHP Direct-Entry Master's program!!!!!!!!

Tanguera, BSN, MSN, RN, NP · Jun 9, 2009

Congratulations on your acceptance! When did you get off the waitlist?? I actually originally declined MGH b/c of money and the fact that I wanted to work as an RN for a bit before getting into the NP part..... but I have just finished a week of an Accelerated BSN at my state school and I'm now thinking I would have been more suited for a direct-entry program.

I am now even considering calling up the direct-entry programs that I got accepted to that haven't started yet to see if they still have space in their class. MGH was my first choice so I am still thinking about them.

pdubya24 · Nov 23, 2010

Hey guys, I know this post is a couple years old but I am in the proccess of applying to MGH and have applied to Columbia, BC and TJU for their direct entry MSN program. I am wondering for those of you that were accepted what your GPA and GRE scores were if you are willing to share. Mine are not the greatest but meet the minimum so I am getting nervous and hope I have a shot. I know I applied to really competetive school but I figure shoot for the best and if it doesn'r work out I'll figure out something else. Thanks!

jalin_2009 · Nov 24, 2010

Hi,

I applied to the MGH program last year and was accepted (but did not end up going there). Grades and GRE scores are just a few things they consider for admission. If you are concerned, you should focus on writing a strong personal statement about why you want to be an NP. You should also draw from any clinical experiences (volunteer and/or paid).

I had ok grades and GRE score (3.33 and 1320). I worked hard on my personal statement and had several people read it and give feedback.

Good luck.