Johns Hopkins VS Mass General

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MGH DE NP vs JHU MSN

Hi all! I was wondering if people could help provide insight on either program and if they would recommend one over the other? The reason why I have chose to complete a masters over an accelerated bachelors is that I am a career changer. I currently hold two bachelors degrees from my undergraduate institution and would like to make the next move towards obtaining a masters. 

I was accepted into Mass Generals MSN direct entry NP Program where you take classes the first 1.5 years and then the latter 1.5 years you're a practicing RN while taking classes towards your NP. However, at Johns Hopkins university, I would be just graduating with an MSN, no NP title in 2.5 years as opposed to 3 years at Mass Gen . 

I'm torn between both. I know many RN's recommend working for many of years before returning to obtain an NP, however, the pull and allure of Boston speaks as well as the program. BUT Boston is so dang expensive. I'm just torn 50/50 and am wondering if anyone has any insight.

I do know both program are expensive. Thankfully, I was awarded scholarship for both. However, financials are still a huge concern for me.

Any help would be appreciated.

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Specializes in FNP.

Hello, (text partially used with speech technology so please pardon grammatical errors).

I attended the MGH DEN Family track program. I LOVED my experience.  the faculty and the administration were  super supportive. My classmates are some of my closest and best friends to this day the clinicals were superb and we really bonded. Nearly eight years have passed since graduation and I still communicate with the faculty because they give great advice and it helped me with recommendations and I even invited some of the administration and faculty to my wedding. That's how amazing my experience was.  With that said with any masters nursing program you really have to advocate for yourself and know your limitations and what help you need in order to get the best experience out of a program. Also, engage with your professors since they are there to help.  Again I loved my experience with MGH DEN program especially since we had priority clinicals at MGH which really gave me excellent experience as a nurse (and they were intense) and then my nurse practitioner clinicals were were fantastic in some community settings. And the simulation labs were helpful. 

Keep in mind not all my classmates had the same view as me but I think most of us were pleased with the experience. Also, I'm originally from the Greater Boston area and have lived most of my life in Massachusetts so I loved going to a school at such a beautiful location in Boston/Charlestown  on the water with great activities surrounding the area to walk/drive/boat.  

I'm so grateful and don't regret going to MGH DEN. When I applied I earned  a bachelors and a masters degree which was not related to medicine or hard science.  When I applied for DEN programs, I had the top two choices between Boston College and MGH and I know I made the right choice for my personality type, life experience, goals, needs and wants (at that time one want was guaranteed MGH clinicals).

Like many nursing/DEN program complaints across the country, it may seem disorganized but with mindfulness, patience and being proactive it's not terrible (speaking from the other side of the tunnel).

 I've been working as an FNP since 2016 and worked initially on speciality and the past several years in family medicine. And I'm so glad I started off in specialty as a new grad, that's another post. 

 I am currently applying to the Johns Hopkins psychiatric certificate program so I'm waiting for that response. Hopefully I'll be able to comment on the experiences of both. The reason why I'm applying to Johns Hopkins for the psych certificate instead of MGH is due to the academic reputation JHU SoN, cost, deadline date, the time to complete the certificate, online options, and I wanted to try a new school among a few other reasons. 
 

As long as you reflect on your needs, wants and evaluate how the program could enrich you then you'll hopefully make a decision on a place that will support you flourishing in the program and field.

 I wish you luck in your choice! 
 

C

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This is great, thank you so so much. I am in the adult acute gerontology track. Have you heard if this track prepares you  well for being an NP? All of this info was so incredibly helpful as I'm currently touring both. 

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Specializes in FNP.

Hi Moongirl2,

All my friends throughout the MGH DEN tracks have done exceptionally well in their fields as NPs, especially the Adult Gero. I must admit, I don't know anyone in the Pedi track.

The Family track shared classes with Adult Gero and they always seemed ahead of the game. The benefit of honing down a population, maybe . Is it because of the program and clinicals? I think partially. And the other part is knowing what their strengths, limitations, goals and value before taking on a job. Some have started their own practices and others earned additional certification to compliment their degrees and others change jobs when it suits them. Post-graduation, no one has told me that they wish they went elsewhere. Now, the question of a different career is another question ;).

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