FNP at nursing@simmons may 2017

Published

Hey guys I just applied to the FNP program at Simmons and I wanted I meet other applicants and share your opinions

Sometimes the school won't allow you to do full time if you're working full time, that's what I've been told and that's why the school asked me to do part time instead of full which was my original request

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Anyone taking a bridge course?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

ohh okay, I've submitted everything, I think they are still waiting on my references so hopefully I'll get accepted for the sept cohort

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm taking a stats refresher, which shouldn't take ore than one or two weeks to finish

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I just applied for the November cohort. Those that got in, what was your GPA?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

mine was 3.55, whats yours

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm starting part-time in May. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Likewise :) let's share info

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Recent Simmons FNP grad here stumbled upon this while looking for some board cert tips and thought I'd chime in. First of all congrats on getting in to you all and furthering your career. I start by saying this program is what you make of it, and how much time you have to put into it.

I would ballpark about half of the program is spent writing papers, research, and other non-clinical stuff which I personally hated. You will have to learn to write in meticulously perfect APA format, or you won't make it far. The last 3 semesters will be your toughest which consist of your clinical rotations, and clinical courses. Just when you think you have finished all the tedious paperwork stuff, it gets even more tedious now. You have to write 8-10 typhon logs per clinical shift, 1 long SOAP note every week, and somewhat random papers (projects) thrown in per semester. I personally did not really find the live sessions the last 3 semesters particularly useful since instead of going over content you were thrown into a group and just present a case study on a disease process, so basically writing a SOAP note with a group every live session. Due to recent program changes you are not allowed to review your exams/seeing what you got wrong, I believe it had to do with people cheating and sharing exams. Do not get your hopes up when you are told exam questions are reviewed and dropped depending on the validity of the question, from my experience questions are very rarely dropped. They will tell you at the start not to arrange your own clinical rotations, I would highly suggest begin networking and getting ahead of that entire process! I have talked to fellow students you have to travel ridiculous amounts to different states for their rotations. If I recall correctly they can arrange clinical sites up to 2 hours away / 100 mile radius. This almost happened to me, luckily I just went ahead and found my own preceptor and got her approved. Certain courses I saw many people dropping out on were assessment and pharmacology, so put your time into them or you will pay dearly. Judging by how many courses were offered my last semester and typically has 5-7 students each so I estimate about 30-40 of us passed the program from about the 100 that I started with.

Well those were the negatives I found of the program. Major positives were that without being in an online program I doubt I would have been able to juggle fulltime work, family and school. Live sessions are at a scheduled time and attendance is typically mandatory, but you save a ton of time when you can just hop on your computer in your pajamas. Towards the end of the program it will feel like your teaching yourself the material, I personally didn't mind. Your publication research paper is done with a group, I have met students from other programs which have had to do it individually and much lengthier.

Overall this program is what you make of it, there isn't much hand holding here. It literally is survival of the fittest. Time management will be your key to success here, and knowing how to study.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Primary Care.

Hey guys, I'm currently in part time term 4 at Simmons. This school is really worth it. I'm happy overall there. It is very challenging. Things seem terrible (aside from term 1) and you wonder why you're learning things. Keep with it, get the nose to the grindstone, pay attention to things, participate in class. You can do this.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Primary Care.
Recent Simmons FNP grad here stumbled upon this while looking for some board cert tips and thought I'd chime in. First of all congrats on getting in to you all and furthering your career. I start by saying this program is what you make of it, and how much time you have to put into it.

I would ballpark about half of the program is spent writing papers, research, and other non-clinical stuff which I personally hated. You will have to learn to write in meticulously perfect APA format, or you won't make it far. The last 3 semesters will be your toughest which consist of your clinical rotations, and clinical courses. Just when you think you have finished all the tedious paperwork stuff, it gets even more tedious now. You have to write 8-10 typhon logs per clinical shift, 1 long SOAP note every week, and somewhat random papers (projects) thrown in per semester. I personally did not really find the live sessions the last 3 semesters particularly useful since instead of going over content you were thrown into a group and just present a case study on a disease process, so basically writing a SOAP note with a group every live session. Due to recent program changes you are not allowed to review your exams/seeing what you got wrong, I believe it had to do with people cheating and sharing exams. Do not get your hopes up when you are told exam questions are reviewed and dropped depending on the validity of the question, from my experience questions are very rarely dropped. They will tell you at the start not to arrange your own clinical rotations, I would highly suggest begin networking and getting ahead of that entire process! I have talked to fellow students you have to travel ridiculous amounts to different states for their rotations. If I recall correctly they can arrange clinical sites up to 2 hours away / 100 mile radius. This almost happened to me, luckily I just went ahead and found my own preceptor and got her approved. Certain courses I saw many people dropping out on were assessment and pharmacology, so put your time into them or you will pay dearly. Judging by how many courses were offered my last semester and typically has 5-7 students each so I estimate about 30-40 of us passed the program from about the 100 that I started with.

Well those were the negatives I found of the program. Major positives were that without being in an online program I doubt I would have been able to juggle fulltime work, family and school. Live sessions are at a scheduled time and attendance is typically mandatory, but you save a ton of time when you can just hop on your computer in your pajamas. Towards the end of the program it will feel like your teaching yourself the material, I personally didn't mind. Your publication research paper is done with a group, I have met students from other programs which have had to do it individually and much lengthier.

Overall this program is what you make of it, there isn't much hand holding here. It literally is survival of the fittest. Time management will be your key to success here, and knowing how to study.

Vex - I think that this is a fair assessment so far. They are still making changes to the program overall. I know that now you are able to challenge test questions, but in Pharm you still are unable to review. However, the teacher can now discuss the concepts you have gotten wrong. Apparently there was some screen sharing going on in Pharm at least. I am just starting health assessment this term, and we've already held 2 study sessions in our 2sn study group to help us al out. I have worked with my placement person and found my first rotation. Fortunately, I do have some leads and am able to help with my own placement.

I would dare to piggyback your clinical "warning/recommendation" with my own and state that if you choose to not find your own clinical placement, you won't find out where you've been placed until 2 weeks before the term starts. If you DO find your own, you will know as soon as you're placed.

There are many things you can do to ensure your success and tips and tricks you can find along the way. Join the admitted page and glean from our wisdom!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion