new here-looking for advice

sumdae · Apr 17, 2006

Hi,

I'm not currently a nurse, but do have some info for you regarding schooling. I was just accepted into acclerated second-degree programs at Curry College in Milton and Simmons College in Boston (all-female undergrad). You can have any bachelor's degree to apply to these programs.

You will need to begin prerequisites asap because it takes a while to get through them. I took Anatomy and Physiology 1 and 2 and Microbiology from Bunker Hill C.C., Charlestown, on weekends during the last 2 years. Also took Human Growth and Development from them online, two tests taken on weekends. You may need Chemistry, Statistics, or more, depending on the school - see below.

Curry is 16-months long, begins every Jan. and applications are due March 1 of each year. I just recently got in with a 3.29 G.P.A. with a BA in psychology, A's in all prereqs but Chem, a letter of intent, resume, and good letter of recommendation (which they do not require, but i felt that my employer could add so much to my packet - i believe this was a very important factor in my acceptance though i can't be sure). HAVE YOUR PREREQS DONE BEFORE applying! i know someone who had a 3.85 gpa, ms in phys therapy w/ experience at MGH, and did NOT get in. she hadn't taken micro yet, and i believe this is why she's on the waiting list. Like you said, the program is very competitve, and I'm still pinching myself to see if I'm dreaming. about 400 applied and 30 got in. but don't let this discourage you from trying any of the programs. it can be done!! http://www.curry.edu/Academics/Majors+Minors+and+Departments/Nursing/Majors/Accelerated+Program.htm

My personal opinion is that Simmons may be slightly easier to get into. This is because there are two accel options - 18-months that begins every summer or 2-yr that begins in the fall. They have rolling admissions there, so if you apply early and are qualified, you'll be accepted and receive your letter about a month after applying. Simmons seems like an awesome school, and if you're female, I'd highly consider checking it out. (Males may apply to the direct-entry Masters of Nursing program, but that's a whole other story.) The school has a great reputation and is right in the middle of the medical area. I've met the Dean, Dr. Judy Beal, and got a great feeling from her and the school in general. If it weren't for timing and the higher cost, I'd choose Simmons. http://simmons.edu/academics/undergraduate/nursing/programs/second-degree.html

The following programs are available, but I don't know as much about them b/c I didn't apply:

Mass College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences has a 16-mo accelerated in worcester or 33-mo in boston: http://www.mcphs.edu/academic_programs/health_sci/nursing/index.htm

Northeastern has a "upper-division transfer bsn" for students with 2-yrs of undergrad or a degree under their belt: http://www.bouve.neu.edu/programs/nurbs/nurbshome.php

(and also offers direct-entry masters)

Regis College in Weston offers a BSN for non-nursing degree students but it looks like you need to call for more info:

http://www.regiscollege.edu/programs/nursing/pro_BSN.htm

Other direct-entry programs:

Mass General institute of health professions {google it}

UMass Worcester

Boston College

and already mentioned Northeastern and Simmons

Umass Boston has a nursing program, and I believe you can start as a transfer student - http://www.umb.edu.

If you just want an ADN, you could check into the following:

Bunker Hill Community College

Mass Bay Community College

Laboure College

Quincy College

I'm sure there are more, but these were the closest ones to Boston I checked on. When I applied to the accelerated programs, I also applied to BHCC just as a backup to get my foot in the door of the profession.

Good luck!! Feel free to ask any questions if this is unclear, because I know it's a lot of info.

-Summer