Massachusetts Accelerated BSN Programs

nurshey · Aug 12, 2020

Take my thoughts with a grain of salt, as I won't be starting an ABSN until Spring 2021. But based on living in the Boston area & researching all of these programs, my take is as follows:

- MGH: Good program but super expensive. Don't know much about the program, other than the application process being more intensive than other programs. A bit unrelated to the ABSN program, but the nurse residency program at MGH is a good program but pays very very poorly. Something to think about if you want to attend MGH ABSN with the intention of doing the residency after.

- Curry: Aside from UMass Boston, the most affordable option. They have a great NCLEX pass rate, and as one of the oldest nursing programs / ABSN programs in MA, they have solid clinical placements in some of the major hospitals in Boston. They let you list your preferences for clinical locations (from their list of clinical affiliations, which includes hospitals like Tufts, BMC, Brigham & Women's, Newton Wellesley, South Shore Hospital, and Beth Israel-Plymouth, among a few others), but where they place you ultimately depends on where there is space. I wouldn't say Curry is super well known, but their nursing program seems really strong. Curry is also located a bit outside the downtown area, in Milton.

- Northeastern: Good program, but the most expensive program I researched. I don't like the style of their hybrid classes, but that could be a plus in a Covid world. I know two people who just graduated from the Northeastern ABSN & they both had very positive experiences, stellar clinicals, and passed their NCLEX. Aside from clinicals, the in-person classes and labs are at Northeastern's campus in Burlington, not Boston. Northeastern is well-known and respected, and I'm sure that extends to their nursing program.

- UMass Boston: I opted not to apply to UMass Boston's ABSN, as they recently changed the entire structure of the program and condensed it to a 12-month length. I was wary of their 2-week clinical "immersions" every 12 weeks, as you'd only end up doing three 2-week chunks of clinicals. I've also heard negative things about a lack of organization in administration, so I was hesitant to enroll in one of the first cohorts of the new model for the ABSN program. That being said, UMass Boston does have a good reputation for nursing (again, not sure if this will be affected by the new program style) & it is by far the most affordable of all of these options. Their online class style was not something I was looking for, but this could be a plus given the fluid situation with Covid.

matt229 · Aug 12, 2020

@nurshey Thank you for the very detailed response on your perspective. Much appreciated!

**emergenceRN17, ASN, BSN, RN** · Sep 10, 2020

Here is my order if I were to do it all over again:

Curry College - Very good rep, not as expensive as the others, and I also live closer (Milton) which is less expensive than living in the City.

MGH- Great program but expensive. Also living expenses will be expensive

UMass Boston - Great reputation, but they did just restructure their curriculum. You can live in the surrounding Cities/Towns and not pay a fortune.

Northeastern - VERY expensive but also has a great reputation. It is also in the City so living expenses will be high.

All of the programs are accessible via public transportation so you can live outside the City and commute.

Also look into Simmons, MCPHS (Mass College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences), and Boston College.

Best of luck!!