Direct Entry MSN's 2010

PsychRN28 · Apr 12, 2010

The guy I worked with was through the SCS Realty Group. It's good that you're going so soon because from what I've heard, the time to look for apts. for September 1 is now. Hopefully, you'll find something on Wednesday. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!

I haven't heard of anything like a fb group or forum for people starting this fall. The most luck I've had with finding people who are attending is through allnurses in this forum. Hopefully more people will start talking about the program as we here more information or as it gets closer to starting school!

chemistry03 · Apr 12, 2010

hi psychrn and jamie s!! i'll be in the direct entry program starting in the fall as well!!! i was just up at northeastern this weekend to look around and completely fell in love with the school haha. i don't have any information on a weekly schedule but i do have a semester by semester course schedule and you can probably figure out a schedule from there on neu's courses webpage. while i was there i met with janet briand-mcgowan (the director of the de program) who gave me all of the following information...

year 1 -- fall

nrsg2210 health and illness nursing perspective

nrsg2220 nursing intervention, assessment & community care

nrsg2221 lab for nursing intervention assessment & community care

nrsg5126 pathophysiology for advanced practice

nrsg3302 nursing with women and families

nrsg3303 clinical for nursing with women and families

hsci1105 nutrition

spring

nrsg5117 advanced pharmacology

nrsg3320 nursing care of adults i

nrsg3321 clinical for nursing care adult i

nrsg3400 nursing and promotion of mental health

nrsg3401 clinical for nursing & promotion of mental health

nrsg3323 intermediate intervention & assessment

nrsg3324 lab for intermediate intervention & assessment

hsci4510 health care ethics

summer

nrsg3420 nursing care of adults ii

nrsg3421 clinical for nursing care of adults ii

nrsg4500 nursing with acutely ill children and families

nrsg4501 clinical for nursing with acutely ill children & families

nrsg4340 nursing care in community

nrsg4341 clinical for nursing care in community

year 2 --- fall

nrsg4995 comprehensive nursing practicum

nrsg4600 nursing with vulnerable populations

nrsg4601 clinical for nursing with vulnerable populations

nrsg5118 health care systems and professional role development

**the purple ones are graduate courses that we would complete ahead of time.

after the fall semester of year 2 we would begin the co-op program for ~9 months. we would then come back to the graduate program in september and complete those courses -- they suggest classes part time and working part time.

as far as housing i have been trying to figure that out as well. i am from new jersey and know absolutely nothing about boston haha. i've been asking around and i hear brookline is one of the best places to look. i was also told to stay away from dorchester, roxbury, and jamaica plains because they are a little sketchy at night. have you all heard anything?

i've met one other person that will in the program through another person on facebook. someone should definitely create a facebook group though!

allie2010 · Apr 21, 2010

Has anyone actually received a rejection letter from UMASS Worcester? I know this late I haven't been accepted but I'm pretty annoyed they couldn't even bother to send out a mass email and say we were not accepted. The fact they just don't bother to tell anyone is pretty rude.

jalin_2009 · May 29, 2010

Allie-

Don't know if you've already heard from UMass Worcester but I learned today that they are still interviewing candidates. You may still be considered if you haven't heard.

PsychLisa11 · Oct 28, 2010

hey everyone,

so i'm currently in my last year as an undergrad at northeastern and in the process of applying to direct entry programs at NU, MGH and Columbia. I was wondering if anyone who was accepted into any of these programs could offer me a little background info regarding their educational stats or other successes that earned them admission. As many of you know from being in my shoes not too long ago, it is such an anxiety inducing and competitive game so I greatly appreciate any input that you may have.

Thanks!

vtfnp · Nov 8, 2010

PsychLisa11 - \

I got into the UVM MEPN program last year. I know that is not one of your choices, but I will add my stats and comments on acceptance in the hope that it will help you on your journey.

I have a BS in nutrition, 3.78 overall GPA, 1280 GRE, certified massage therapist (used to own my own private practice), medical assistant for 4 1/2 years. It took me a couple tries to get into the program. I didn't take the GRE seriously enough, and that really hurt me. Also, I thought my science degree would give me a competitive edge, but it wasn't until I became a medical assistant that really changed things. I work in a family practice and hold the same position as other nurses that work there (duties: triage, venipuncture, injections, pt education and intake, etc).

My advice is take each and every requirement seriously (essay, letters of req, etc) and get as much clinical experience as you can. Be as specific and pointed as possible when underlining why you deserve to be in the program (i.e. "I would like to develop education materials to increase childhood immunization rates" is more reflective of someone who has thought about the depth and scope of their future impact as a nurse than someone who says "I am good with people and want to help them gain greater health". It may seem obvious, but it's amazing how easy it is to fall back on generalities and forget the details that make you an individual.)

I wish you well on your journey.

PsychLisa11 · Nov 9, 2010

Thank you for the input. I really appreciate the response and found it helpful in many ways. First off, it was a bit reassuring to hear that you were persistent in applying to the program multiple times and were ultimately accepted. Being only 21, I am aware that my age may set me back a bit as there is no way I have had the time or opportunity to acquire as much experience as some of my fellow applicants. I do have experience in a hospital setting in Psychiatry which I am hoping will help me as I am applying to Psych specialties. However, I am trying to prepare myself for the best and worst case scenarios and remind myself that I am only 21 and it is not the end of the world if I have to reapply.

I also appreciate the input about the essay. As I am polishing up my last drafts I felt that something was missing and that it was too dull. I realize now that I need to speak more specifically to what I want to contribute to the field that is DIFFERENT from what everyone else wants to contribute.

I thank you greatly for the information; it will be put to good use!

StarofLifeRN · Nov 13, 2010

PsychLisa11 - \
I got into the UVM MEPN program last year. I know that is not one of your choices, but I will add my stats and comments on acceptance in the hope that it will help you on your journey.

Hi VTFNP -

I attended an info session the other night, and one of the things I'm trying to get a sense of is the demographics of the class. Can you tell me in general things like the age makeup of the class, how many people were already local vs. how many relocated to attend the program, and if you know what kinds of backgrounds people have?

I didn't hear anything at the info session that made me wish I had done something differently in my application. And, of course, each incoming class is going to be different. But I can't help but wonder what my chances are so I'd love to know what kind of students are already there.

Thanks for any insight you can offer!

vtfnp · Nov 13, 2010

PsychLisa11

It sounds like you have a strong sense of what you need already. And yes, age makes a difference to some extent, with regard to years of experience etc., but they won't deny you because you are younger. A good program will see your potential as well. Also, as you said it is nice to be younger and have less self imposed pressure to get into the program now. My plan was to be done before I had a family and I am going back with a 2 1/2 year old and husband -- and I couldn't be happier. I'm not big on the quote "everything happens for a reason", but I do believe life takes twists and turns that we don't foresee that we live on and learn from and manage so much better than we thought we could.

So happy to know that your essay will improve after our conversation. I re-wrote my essay a multitude of times...

Again, I wish you well!!

vtfnp · Nov 13, 2010

Hi VTFNP -
I attended an info session the other night, and one of the things I'm trying to get a sense of is the demographics of the class. Can you tell me in general things like the age makeup of the class, how many people were already local vs. how many relocated to attend the program, and if you know what kinds of backgrounds people have?
I didn't hear anything at the info session that made me wish I had done something differently in my application. And, of course, each incoming class is going to be different. But I can't help but wonder what my chances are so I'd love to know what kind of students are already there.
Thanks for any insight you can offer!

crs249 -

I have deferred until next year, but I know a bit about those who would have been my classmates this year. Also, if you go to FaceBook and type in "UVM MEPN 2010" you will see all of the students who are in this years class. My husband works at UVM as well and gets to speak with many nursing and medical students. My knowledge is that people have come from various backgrounds, but still have competitive resumes -- i.e. English majors who have done social work in other countries, or those who have a master degree in another field. I've heard of GRE's in the 1400's and people with no medical background. There are a few men, and a range of ages. I doubt they recruit based on demographics (age, gender, etc) though, that would be unethical and illegal (?).

I wish I could give you a more detailed list of students experience, background and location, but I don't have that. I do know that the previous students I have talked with have been more than helpful, so if you can contact them through FaceBook that may be useful.

If you feel confident in each and every aspec of your application (GPA, to experience, to essay) you have a stronger chance at getting in. I see that the MEPN has a new stipulation that if you have completed UVM's Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Program that you are guaranteed an interview, which will most likely increase the competitiveness of the applicant pool (at least with regard to those who have science base education).

If you tell me your background and stats I could make a personal comment on that, otherwise I think talking to other students may be more enlightening.

I know what it is like, trying to determine the chances of acceptance. Waiting for someone else to make a decision about your life is stressful.

If there is anything else I can add or clarify, please let me know.

take care and I wish you well too!

StarofLifeRN · Nov 13, 2010

Just hearing that there are a variety of backgrounds makes me feel better!

I am in my mid-40s and have worked in higher education for 20 years. I'm currently an administrator, so this would be a career change for me. I have 2 associates and a bachelor's degree (3.6 gpa), and an MBA (4.0 gpa). I earned my master's degree in an accelerated program two years ago while working full time and raising a family. As far as medical background, I have been working as a volunteer EMT for the past year. A family tragedy is what brought me to EMS, and EMS is what inspired me to want to do more in terms of patient care. I covered those points in my essay, as well as talking about my professional experience from both the customer service perspective, as well as my ability to think critically, develop systems, solve problems, and manage people and resources.

I have three great references - my EMT supervisor who works professionally in the medical field, a former grad school faculty member (PhD), and a VP level colleague who oversees student services. I waived my ability to see my references, which the people at the info session said was "weightier" in their review process.

I really feel confident about all aspects of my application. But, when they said they expect to receive hundreds of applications now that they are using the common application, I was a little disheartened. Those are bad odds for any applicant!

No one outside of my family knows that I have applied (unless they're trolling this forum and put two and two together!), so if things don't work out for me then luckily I don't have to give up my current career. I'm still really hopeful, though, as this is the perfect time in my life to make this change - I have enough energy to do this, I know I can handle the academics, my kids are older, and my husband can cover the bills until I can earn my keep again.

I'm going to check out that FB page, thanks!!!

vtfnp · Nov 14, 2010

crs249 -

My honest opinion is that you sound like a very competitive candidate. Yes, there are many qualified applicants out there and there is no telling what will happen, but everything you wrote above sounds very solid. You have more medical experience than others who have gotten in.

I did not know that waiving your right to see references made any difference. I did not waive my right.

Also, I know that a good portion of people from each class end up getting in after first being on the wait list. I was fortunate enough to be accepted right off. Again, from what you told me, you sound like the kind of candidate that they are looking for.

In terms of the interviews, I felt very nervous during mine and didn't feel liked I '"warmed up" and calmed down until it was almost over. I did prepare though - making copious notes to make sure I had something to refer to in case my mind went blank. That was very useful. This is the list I prepared so I would be ready to articulate any question they asked:

1. Strengths/Weaknesses

2. My plans for future as an NP

3. Why I picked NP over MD (i.e. nursing model over biomedical model of training and education)

4. Why UVM is my choice for education institution

5. Current issues facing NP field

What track are you hoping for? In my interview they asked me if I couldn't get into the FNP would that be an issue (don't remember exactly how they phrased it) and I let them know I would choose ANP and get more training later to become FNP if I had to -- that becoming an NP was the most important. They get so many people that want the FNP track. They decide who gets to follow the FNP after the peds rotation and they get to see how competent and skilled you are (or have the potential to be) with kids.

I hear you about knowing it is the right time. Even with a small child, I know this is perfect timing for me. It will be satisfying to finally start the program and work towards the next level.

So, we may be in the same class next year if you get in! If you post a general message on FaceBook, I will respond back to it and we can chat more if you like (I don't want to put my e-mail address on this forum -- too public).