Direct Entry MSN program 2

Published

The old thread seems to be closed...either it was too long or I shouldn't have been dispensing exam tips...

So the new one is born...

Hi Admart,

I'm in the process of making the same decision right now too! I'm planning on visiting both schools again, sitting in on their classes and maybe talking to some of the students there. I do want to eventually end up working in the Longwood Medical Area and I feel that if I went to Simmons, it'd be easier for me to work there after grad school, since we'd probably be doing clinicals in that area.

-Nora

Hi Nora,

Let me know what you find out. I am not sure where I want to end up working, but am sure that the Boston hospitals would be an amazing experience. I have talked to some Simmons students but haven't heard anything from the students at UMass.

Thanks!

Ashley

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Specializes in Ortho, Med surg and L&D.
Hi - just a note for those considering depaul university for the masters entry program. PLEASE stay away from this school. I am about to graduate in just a few months and it's been the absolute worst experience! It is EXTREMELY disorganized and some of their instructors are absolute

B-----S! Your best best would be to go to Loyola. It has a very good reputation and I know many people who attend there and they say they are getting a good education. In my graduating class at depaul, there are still people who can't take a blood pressure. so there's my two cents worth.

Yikes mssmith,

First, I am glad to re-introduce myself on this forum in our new thread, :)

I have just completed my second quarter at DePaul and while I do agree that there are issues, I love it. Although, I have been a nursing assitant for 18years, (15 as certified) and have worked as an ambulance driver and in hospitals I already knew the basics of taking a blood pressure before going in.

My cohort is fantastic! There are several experienced CNAs in there, a bio-engineer, a biochemis, about four psychology majors, a kinestheologist, several biologists and a couple already have earned their masters, (one in business and the other in education, as well as a part time student with her masters inpublic health already).

However, even after all these years of taking Blood pressures I am very relieved and proud to say that I learned MORE about taking a simple blood pressure from the famous "Margaret" than I have in all my prior EMT classes, my prior Patient Care technicians orientation from (about 8) hospitals and from my CNA class and from nurses I have worked with through the years, (who were in fact wonderful).

Maybe the students you are talking about missed that class that day? Or else, sadly to say, they are using darn dynamaps, (which I abhore for b/ps).

So, I would advise anyone to seriously look into the program you are joining and to be as skeptical as possible.

Yet, I would be so surprised if a nurse could successfully graduate without knowing how to take a blood pressure. Hopefully she/he will at least learn it really well while being pre-cepted as a new nurse graduate? Thoroughly shocked.

Have you spoken with a trusted professor about this? Really, it seems very serious and a detrimental accusation to make which could affect all graduate's of DePaul's program and our reputation as well.

Personally I feel very confidant of my clinical ability and there are others I know who are incredibly confidant of their academic ability, we are helping each other to learn along the way.

Gen/Jen fall 2005 MENP cohort

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Hi Nora,

Let me know what you find out. I am not sure where I want to end up working, but am sure that the Boston hospitals would be an amazing experience. I have talked to some Simmons students but haven't heard anything from the students at UMass.

Thanks!

Ashley

Hi Ashley,

Just getting back to you! I never did go visit UMass Worcester to sit in on a class this week because I am choosing to attend Simmons. There are several reasons that pushed me towards that direction. I currently live with my fiance in Brookline and it'd be tough to live away from him 5 days of the week, if I decided to get an apartment in Worcester. And if I chose to commute from Boston, it'd be a 2.5 hour commute every day! I would have to purchase a car and insurance and worry about rush hour traffic, road rage, accidents and what not. With the car, auto insurance, maintenance, and gas purchases as well as the potential apartment rental in Worcester, the price difference between the two schools will have been decreased by a lot!

As of now, I can walk or take the T to Simmons and the surrounding area hospitals. Also, I work as a PCA in Boston and I will be volunteering as a Big Sister as well. I don't want to uproot my life for the next three years by moving out to Worcester.

I am also pretty sold on Simmons' clinical student to staff ratio of 6:1. I'm someone who likes to ask a lot of questions and having more individualized attention is extremely helpful! I really want to work in the Boston area hospitals as well since I plan on living here indefinitely and there seems to be a better chance of doing that if I attend Simmons.

Good luck in choosing a school!

Take care!

-Nora

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I am attending Vanderbilt's direct-entry program in the fall. I have heard bad things about it too. I have also heard great things about it so you have to take it for what it is worth and hope that you learn what you need to become a competent NP.

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Hi there!

I was accepted and decided to go to BC's direct entry program a couple of months ago.

I have a couple of questions for those of you who are already in the program or who have been able to go to info sessions. (I'm currently teaching in China--which doesn't allow me the time/money to get to an info session)

I was mostly wondering about the "Clinical Practice in Nursing" class. Specifically, could you tell me how many hours are required, and how they are divided between clinical and lab reqirements? I tried to email the program coordinator, but they haven't gotten back to me, and communication with the school is sometimes lax.

How do you feel the work-load is? I know that this is an accelerated program, so I'm content without having an outside life for a couple of years, but do you have time to do anything else? (For one, I'd like to continue taking Chinese classes--just a couple of hours a week.)

Thanks so much!

Rachel

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Hi everyone.

I'm looking into Direct Entry programs and was wondering about opinions about specific schools. I don't want to get stuck at a terrible school, and would like one that great professors. I'm looking at the following schools right now:

Columbia*

Seattle U*

Ohio State

Medical University of SC

Vanderbilt*

Univ. of Southern Maine

Northeastern*

Univ. of IL-Chicago

DePaul

Boston College

Case Western

*top choice schools.

Anyone know anything about any of these schools' reputations?

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Specializes in NICU.

Hi megain,

I am at Columbia right now (well, technically on an LOA for work). There is a Columbia student thread in this forum, and you're also more than welcome to PM me with questions!

Good luck!

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Specializes in Ortho, Med surg and L&D.
Hi everyone.

I'm looking into Direct Entry programs and was wondering about opinions about specific schools. I don't want to get stuck at a terrible school, and would like one that great professors. I'm looking at the following schools right now:

Columbia*

Seattle U*

Ohio State

Medical University of SC

Vanderbilt*

Univ. of Southern Maine

Northeastern*

Univ. of IL-Chicago

DePaul

Boston College

Case Western

*top choice schools.

Anyone know anything about any of these schools' reputations?

Hello,

Of your list I applied to University of Illinois and was *thankfully!* passed over.

I ended up completing my application asap for DePaul and *THANKFULLY* was accepted and started the next quarter. The benefits for me are that I got to start that fall and will graduate with the MSN/RN in June of 2007 while had I gone to UIC I would only be eligible for a certificate allowing me to sit for the RN NCLEX in the summer of 2007 and would not have earned the MSN yet and would still have a minimum of 3-5 years towards completion of the program. Being at DePaul, upon completion of the MSN I have the option to continue part time while working as a nurse, towards completion of the NP certificate. Which I hope to do. :)

It is good to ask around for the differences but, please remember that different does not equal BAD. We are not all the same either and thankfully there are different routes towards our goals. Good luck,

Gen

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Specializes in Cardio Thoracic.

Is anyone here admitted into CSUF's ELMSN program?

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Is anyone here admitted into CSUF's ELMSN program?

Hi there,

It might help if you spelled out what school you're referring to. Remember, allnurses.com is nationwide and worldwide, so we have no idea what direct entry program you're talking about. There are lots! Thanks.

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Specializes in Cardio Thoracic.
Hi there,

It might help if you spelled out what school you're referring to. Remember, allnurses.com is nationwide and worldwide, so we have no idea what direct entry program you're talking about. There are lots! Thanks.

My aoplogies. I meant Cal State University Fullerton's entry level Master's program.

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I am in the U of Illinois- chicago's program and I really like it. I agree with Gen that I wish we got a degree out of the RN portion, but I am happy with the program. I have had such a wide away of expriences, especially in community health. I am midwifery track and it is very highly ranked (for what that's worth). I love Chicago.

Hi everyone.

I'm looking into Direct Entry programs and was wondering about opinions about specific schools. I don't want to get stuck at a terrible school, and would like one that great professors. I'm looking at the following schools right now:

Columbia*

Seattle U*

Ohio State

Medical University of SC

Vanderbilt*

Univ. of Southern Maine

Northeastern*

Univ. of IL-Chicago

DePaul

Boston College

Case Western

*top choice schools.

Anyone know anything about any of these schools' reputations?

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