Johns Hopkins Entry into Nursing (MSN) Spring 2021

DC_RN · Dec 21, 2020

41 minutes ago, botmann said:

I can't necessarily disagree about your happiness points, but there are assumptions along with it. It's added stress, but people rack up that kind of debt or more on houses, cars, and whatever else (that runs up the credit cards). They're not necessarily unhappy; probably not jumping for joy either. And burnout is probably more due to patient-nurse ratios since California is the only state that has legislation specifically regarding this. Although hours worked I would agree is a contributing factor.

I went to JHU SON information session. One of the first things the recruiter/admissions director said was JHU is very expensive. They're not disillusioned about their cost. I've seen other private nursing schools that were even more expensive.

I agree there are cheaper routes to become a nurse. The unfortunate reality is those schools are very difficult to get into. The cheapest option is a local community college, but most are some kind of lottery system not. Some of the first-come, first-served if you qualify. Some community colleges will guarantee admission after so many tries; the community college I attended was four years. Before the lottery, it was a three-year waitlist. In California, the CSU system, for BSN, is nothing but a competition based on GPAs, TEAS/HESI, and some miscellaneous items--veteran, health experience, location, school, or whatever else the school deems appropriate. None of them have a guaranteed admission after so many tries. As mentioned earlier, in general, the schools get five hundred applications for spots. The number of applications seems to be fairly similar across schools, but the number of spots varies from thirty-ish to seventy. And given the economy, applications for schools tend to increase. I got into CSU East Bay's nursing program and the rumor during orientation was they had almost a thousand applicants for sixty spots. On a side note, I was going to have to graduate school fees and rates. JHU is not easy to into either, but odds wise, students have a higher chance.

I'm not being obtuse to your point that JHU SON is more than likely going to accrue a lot of debt for a job that will probably pay half what one owes starting out. In reality, this is true for most people getting any kind of college education; there are a few exceptions. It can add a lot of stress on how making ends meet, and there are plenty of negative results that arise from that stress.

My point is not necessarily to say to go JHU despite the debt one will likely accumulate. One should definitely take into consideration and compare to their options. It's more about having realistic expectations on the debt, likely hood of getting employment, and the kind of employment. In addition, the lifestyle and sacrifices one is may need to do after graduation because of the loans.

The one thing that is not mentioned and may need to be considered is time. If one did the ADN->BSN->MSN route, one would be looking at four to six years of school; this does not include the earlier school for prerequisites. The cost, even if one went to state schools, would only be slightly cheaper than JHU or any other private school direct entry MSN program. Granted, once one is an RN, many are able to work during school which helps offset the loans; does not make it cheaper. For some, the extra cost is worth it because of the time saved. This was a big factor in my choice.

Honestly I’m just trying to give you a perspective of someone who’s done this program and is now paying for it. I know there’s circumstances where it make sense to attend hopkins (you are financially able, you haven’t been able to get into a public school) but that’s not really what I’m here to talk about. At this point many people have already made their decisions on attending or not so if you all have any questions feel free to direct message me.

wishwasher · Dec 21, 2020

I appreciated hearing a few different perspectives. Thank you @DC_RN and @botmann

botmann · Dec 21, 2020

1 hour ago, DC_RN said:

... At this point many people have already made their decisions on attending or not ...

That is definitely true. For some, this is the dream school. I did not know this program existed till I attended one of those virtual nursing school fairs. I did not these programs existed till I started working as a CNA and a charge nurse told me about them.

I do appreciate your sharing your experience, especially after finishing the program. The debt was a concern the moment I was accepted into the program. I know many of my classmates felt/feel the same.

325_FutureRN · Dec 23, 2020

For the transcript entry section, how did you all categorize freshman, sophomore, junior, senior for undergrad? I did 5 years in undergrad, and nursing CAS told me the following that status is based on credits, 0-30 is freshman, 30-60 is sophomore, 60-90 is junior, and 90+ is senior. However, when I checked the nursing CAS website it says this: in general, four-year students should list one year per designation and five-year students should list their last two years as senior.

Just wanted to check if anyone else followed this?

botmann · Dec 23, 2020

16 minutes ago, 325_FutureRN said:

... how did you all categorize ... is based on credits, 0-30 is freshman, 30-60 is sophomore, 60-90 is junior, and 90+ is senior. ...

This is what I would recommend and did. Most people take more than four years to complete their bachelor's. Plus, there are many people who are unable to go full time so it takes several years to earn their bachelor's.

NursingCAS will actually break it down by credits anyway by credits. They actually do several breakdowns of your academic performance--math, science, and other general topics. Unless your GPA dropped significantly the last year or two (Junior or Senior), I do not think it's a significant factor. It may help is you had significant improvement.

In regards to JHU SON, it's only probably only a minimal factor about the year. They're going to look more at your cumulative GPA (to see if it is in the 3.00 GPA range) the science GPA, and those four key science courses are B- or better (they're very strict on this one). The GPA is more a gauge for them to see if you can handle the academics rigors of the program; Those core science course information are needed from the get-go in the program.

I understand your situation. I had take a years worth of colleges courses after obtaining my bachelor's at various local community colleges. There's not a option for it other than senior; NursingCAS categorized them as post-graduate undergraduate classes.

krism · Dec 23, 2020

Im getting a little nervous because I was chilling with my friends and they smoked a lot of weed in a room I was in. And honestly I took a single hit. I already passed the drug test assigned by castle branch. Just nervous if there will be a follow up test before I am assigned my clinical site.
thanks for any advice.

jessica888 · Dec 23, 2020

Does anyone know if we have to complete another background check during the program or if the one on CastleBranch is used the whole time?

krism · Dec 23, 2020

8 minutes ago, jessica888 said:

Does anyone know if we have to complete another background check during the program or if the one on CastleBranch is used the whole time?

No, the castle branch background check is the only one. Until you take your NCLEX and get your license.

jessica888 · Dec 24, 2020

9 minutes ago, krism said:

No, the castle branch background check is the only one. Until you take your NCLEX and get your license.

Ohh okay, thank u!

botmann · Dec 24, 2020

23 hours ago, krism said:

... with my friends ... smoked ... weed ... I already passed the drug test ...

This becomes an interesting situation because more and more states are legalizing marijuana use--medicinal or recreational (https://disa.com/map-of-marijuana-legality-by-state). It appears Maryland is medicinal or decriminalized. Where it is legal by state, then it would be similar to alcohol.

That said, this is still illegal on the federal level.

Thus, this can be an issue depending on the employer or program. The federal programs could possibly include language against its use for things like student aid.

All that said, I'm not implying one way or the other to legality of regarding any of this. That is for the courts to decide. Although, I wouldn't show up to work, clinical, or labs having recently used anything that could possibly impair you.

WlkrCJ · Jan 5, 2021

On 12/19/2020 at 11:57 AM, DC_RN said:

Hi everyone,

I am a graduate from this program and just have some insight regarding what people are saying.

1. Never pay more than 50k for a degree that will ultimately make you an RN. 99% of you are going to be RNs after this program and get paid the exact same (none of my colleagues got paid more because of their MSN) as a BSN or ADN nurse. Also, no hospitals (at least in the DMV or Cali) will look differently at you because you went to Hopkins. So my advice - don't rack up 100k+ of debt for a job that will pay you half of that yearly just because of the Hopkins name. Unless your family is paying for your schooling with no difficulty.

2. Hopkins gave almost everyone in my cohort a scholarship. Many believe this was a way to incentivize people to pay the quite frankly ridiculous tuition by thinking we somehow earned a scholarship at such a reputable institution.

3. It does not matter where you get a nursing degree. Hopkins hires tons of BSN nurses and BSN and MSN are essentially the same thing in the eyes of entry level nursing. If you continue to get your DNP, there are still few benefits of having an MSN versus BSN. Like maybe 2/3 less classes? Is that worth an additional 50k in tuition? No.

4. Hopkins students ended up being really upset with the amount of money paid back at the end of this program compared to people from University of Maryland, who if in state, paid a fraction of tuition only to be just as competitive for nursing jobs. Even ICUs or ED or other competitive units do not care about the Hopkins name because they know these are people that paid a ridiculous amount usually for the name.

Note: these are just my thoughts that resonated with a lot of people who graduated with me. I was lucky to be able to save money living at home after graduation, but it is reaaaally hard to pay off 100k+ in loans if you make 50-70k salary and have to pay rent/for a wedding/children. And the interest is going to accrue like crazy. Basically, unless you have a partner making a lot of money, or you want to pay loans the rest of your life, or if you're the lucky 5/6 people who get into a good loan repayment program, you're kinda screwed by Hopkins tuition. Please think twice about a cheaper nursing program. I promise you, your chances of getting a DNP or becoming a CRNA will be the same if you get a BSN/MSN from another cheaper institution. If you are looking to work in DC post-grad, GWU offers a partnership with local hospitals that will pay a fraction of your tuition for a 3 year contract. Hopkins offers no such thing. I really regret racking up so much debt. I got lucky to be in the HRSA loan repayment program (which I only got because I am single and have SO much debt), and to be able to work so much overtime while living at home, but after 3 years I am still in so much debt.

wow - thank you for this. I am waiting to hear back from Hopkins admissions ~this Friday. I was recently accepted into an ABSN program in my home state. You've really given me something to think about in terms of practicality of a program. I already have a large amount of undergraduate student loan debt and tacking on more is def. a concern. Some people say the name is worth the dept but I am unsure of that at times.

botmann · Jan 8, 2021

I'm sure the name is worth something, but it's all in context. If you're applying to graduate school or something, sure. Maybe fresh out of school is might carry a little weight. After the first year, maybe two, it's more about work experience. Having the masters will help if you want to get into teaching or management.

My guess, the name will help, to a degree, get job interviews. Maybe not as much around Maryland since there will be lots of people with degrees from JHU.

On a side note, I would accept the ABSN program's offer. You can always give up your spot. Better to go somewhere, than nowhere. If you offered a spot at JHU SON, then you have a decision to make. I assume you haven't gotten other offers for admission besides the ABSN at this point. I would not overlook the cost and loans you may acquire at any program you attend.