Northeastern Direct Entry On-Campus '15

DYS NP · Mar 31, 2015

In my letter, it says to return the Confirmation of Acceptance Form by April 2nd.

Findecano · Apr 2, 2015

I still haven't heard anything back from them, and when I call they say that decisions are still being made. I'm getting the feeling that I've been forgotten about. What should I do?

DYS NP · Apr 2, 2015

Findecano, does your online application say "complete" in green at the top? If so, you know they received everything, and it wasn't lost in the system.

Today was the last day for deposits; I don't know what their process is, but they might be waiting to see how many accept before making final decisions.

DYS NP · Apr 20, 2015

We started a Facebook group for the program at facebook.com/groups/1585094891741386/ to share program and FA information and more practical stuff like housing, parking, and carpooling. See you there!

janae1084 · Feb 2, 2016

When do you think we should here back from the admissions office?

chrisjl · Feb 10, 2016

I got a call this morning to schedule an interview

DYS NP · Feb 11, 2016

Last year, I was called for an interview on 2/3, went in on 2/5 and was called that night to let me know I was accepted. It can vary; you interview with different people depending on what specialty you're applying to. I was FNP; pediatrics, psych, gerontology (etc) students each met with someone else affiliated with their area of specialty.

Good luck guys, I know it's nail-biting time.

janae1084 · Feb 11, 2016

Last year, I was called for an interview on 2/3, went in on 2/5 and was called that night to let me know I was accepted. It can vary; you interview with different people depending on what specialty you're applying to. I was FNP; pediatrics, psych, gerontology (etc) students each met with someone else affiliated with their area of specialty.
Good luck guys, I know it's nail-biting time.

Have you found any issues with the program finding clinical placement for students?

What is your honest option on the program?

DYS NP · Feb 11, 2016

There have been no issues with clinical instructors; we've been assigned to one instructor in groups of 5 or 6 students. He or she stays on the floor throughout your clinical shift. They vary in quality/involvement/effort. Our current med-surg CI is just awesome; she's training us the whole shift, expects a lot, but is totally supportive and dedicated. All the 'firsts' are scary (IM injection, catheter insertion, IV pump programming, etc.) but she has you do it and talks you through each step; it's really experiential learning--ie, the point of clinicals. Conversely, our MH CI chats with staff or is on her phone while we try to keep occupied. I've compared notes with Simmons and MGHIHP, and they say the same. So far, assignments have been at the big Boston teaching hospitals, a walk from campus.

My honest opinion of the program is...it's exhausting. An accelerated program means very little free time, not just for socializing, but for exercise, eating well, and, you know, that critical thing called sleep. Make an effort with your classmates, because counting HW and group projects, you'll be with them 50h/wk for a year and a half. As far as faculty goes, it's hard to overstate how much the demand for skilled nurse educators outstrips the supply. Because Northeastern's is an established program, it is probably doing better than most on this issue. Again, getting the same feedback from MGHIHP and Simmons. Sixty percent have been very good; 30 percent good, 10 percent honestly should have stayed in a clinical venue rather than getting into teaching. (We're only a third of the way through, so this may change.) It's a different set of competencies, and being great at one doesn't mean you'll be great at the other. Our lab TAs have been excellent (most are experienced nurses coming back to become nurse anesthetists). They've become friends and mentors.

So do I love it? Ask me after I've slept. ; ) Do I think it's a good program overall? Yes. Will you leave it a competent nurse? Yes! We had a Sim this morning, and for the first time, I actually felt like I knew what I was doing (only 5 months in). The program's NCLEX pass rate is high also.

Again, good luck, and I hope you hear soon!

chrisjl · Feb 11, 2016

Thanks so much for sharing your experience! I'm very appreciate to hear about it

nazevedo89, BSN, RN · May 8, 2016

Good evening,

Quick question, I've been accepted for the Direct Entry MSN program for this fall '16. I was wondering, do you guys get any time off? or you have to study for four semesters straight without any time off? Thanks!

DYS NP · May 8, 2016

Hi Naz,

Here's a schedule from our cohort. I would guess yours will be roughly the same. The longest breaks are Christmas after the fall semester (3 weeks) and a couple of weeks at the end of August (after summer 2). Congratulations and good luck!

Fall 2015

Columbus Day

Veterans Day

Wed-Fri/Txgiving break

Last day of finals 12/18 (3-week holiday break)

Spring 2016 semester starts Jan 11, 2016

MLK Day

Presidents Day

Mar 6-13 (1-week Spring Break)

Patriots Day

Apr 28-May 8 (10-day pre-summer break)

Summer 2016 semesters 1 and 2 start May 9, 2016

Memorial Day

June 28-July 4 (1-week summer session break)

Aug 22-Sept 6 (2-week pre-fall break)

Fall 2016 breaks as above.