Mom In need guidance!

southshore2014, APRN · Dec 18, 2016

Hi HockeyMom65!

I've heard mixed reviews for MCPH, however I've only heard positive things about MGH. Out of curiosity, is she paying for it with loans? If so, both of these options will come with a hefty price tag! Has she considered either UMass Boston's accelerated program or a 2-year community college RN program? I am in my second (and last year) of a community college program. I entered with a bachelor's degree in another field with the intention of avoiding the high cost of the direct entry programs. All the younger nurses I work alongside at the hospitals tell me they wished they had done a less expensive option as they're constantly working overtime just to pay their bills.

Hockeymom65 · Dec 18, 2016

Hi southshore2014

She will be graduating with her BS in health sciences in May 2017. All of the state schools, Salam State, etc will not let here apply into there traditional nursing because she would be considered a transfer. Nor into there accelerated non RN program because she will not have her BS in hand when applying. We have made many calls and her application list shrank. She has applied to a few 2 year programs and is waiting to hear back. Her only concern is that it will take her 2 more years of schooling (she has completed all of the prerequisites and other required courses) and then she would have to apply out for another 2 years in order for her to receive her BS in nursing.

southshore2014, APRN · Dec 19, 2016

I can see you have done your homework! I completely understand the wanting to be done in 14 months versus the full 2 years. However, if she considers she'll most likely spend $ 10,000 at the community college vs $40,000-60,000 (low estimates) in one of the accelerated programs (plus compounded interest), it more than pays for itself.

In the SouthCoast area things aren't so strict with the BSN requirement, but I am aware it is more necessary in the Boston area. Does she know where she wants to work? There is a lesser known caveat to the "everyone must get their BSN." If she is interested in going to graduate school after for her MSN/DNP, many graduate nursing programs will accept RN's with a bachelor's in another field. I will have my AS in nursing in the spring and have already applied to a graduate program for the fall.

allnurses Guide · Dec 19, 2016

MGHIHP has a better reputation than MCPHS. Board pass rates are similar over the pas few years.

Hockeymom65 · Dec 20, 2016

Yes! I have heard that also. But there are so many pros and cons posted out there that will make your head spin. I heard that a good portion of MGH program is online. Does anyone have any info on that? Having more online classes will mean less commute time as there is no housing. But I'm not sure if having online nursing classes is a good thing. Thank you all for your information. I really appreciate it!

southshore2014, APRN · Dec 20, 2016

I can't specifically speak to any online content MGH might have, but I can say that my program track is hybrid. I don't attend any in-person lectures; my academic coursework is completed independently via textbook and asynchronous online lectures. Clinicals, of course, are in person. According to a recent national exam (ATI), I ranked slightly higher than the average traditional RN student. The only thing is, to do online/hybrid work you have to be determined and able to self teach.

allnurses Guide · Dec 20, 2016

Yes! I have heard that also. But there are so many pros and cons posted out there that will make your head spin. I heard that a good portion of MGH program is online. Does anyone have any info on that? Having more online classes will mean less commute time as there is no housing. But I'm not sure if having online nursing classes is a good thing. Thank you all for your information. I really appreciate it!

Quality programs have become very good at the Hybrid model and offer a very similar academic experience without requiring the students to be seated in a classroom. Nursing, as you can imagine, does require hands-on learning, and that will be done as appropriate in the lab/classroom and clinic/hospital. The one down side that I see is that traditionally students have formed groups of friends that all study together, then remain friends and colleagues through their career. I worry that happens less with hybrid programs.

How far away from the city do you live? Make sure to factor in the cost of a car/gas/parking/public transit pass. Remember she will have classroom work, lab work, study time, and clincial hours.