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I'm not sure why you keep misreading. I said that I spoke to current students of the program. I also spoke to one person who graduated from the program. I never said they were from my "friends out west." The only thing I said relating to people on the west coast is that the ones I've spoken to don't know about MGH's program, but know of the hospital only. If it's not news to you, then why were you trying to debate the fact that you don't get your BSN until graduation and trying to debate everything else I stated? Those are still things that need to be kept in mind when choosing schools. Like I've stated already, somebody asked me for my own personal pros/ cons and I replied to them.

I'm not set on Columbia, but Columbia has more benefits in my opinion. It's just the cost that's the major deterrant. I spoke to current students and emailed the program director. I'm not blind, I read the website as well as the schedule of classes, which I linked earlier. Yes, you complete the BSN portion of the program in the first year, but you don't receive your BSN degree until you graduate from the MSN portion and receive the MSN degree. This is what the email stated: "DEN Students receive both the BSN and MSN degrees at commencement when they graduate. Although you actually complete the generalist level education for the RN licensure exam after the first three semesters of the program, students must complete the entire MSN program to receive the actual diploma/degree." Again, a current student also told me this. I was told by a current student that some people work during the MSN portion, but most people in her cohort don't. She said Boston's healthcare job market is hard to break into, since it's a bit saturated. She was working though and said they advised students to start as a PCA and hope for a promotion during that, since you don't have your BSN yet and it can be difficult to find a job because of that as well. You don't think I know that about MGH the hospital? MGH the school hasn't been associated with the hospital since 1985. It's its own separate entity now. None of the people I've spoken to on the west coast who work in healthcare know of the program. They know of the hospital, however. I know there are plenty of job opportunities in the northeast, but it's going to be quite difficult to get a job within Boston without any experience. I'm not looking to work in the northeast after the program regardless. I never said that MGH doesn't have good clinical sites, just that they're not as good as Columbia's. This is what was told to me by someone in Columbia's program, whose friend attended MGH at the same time. I'm not sure why you got so defensive over my own personal list that someone else asked for. Someone asked for my opinion and I posted it, but nobody asked for your opinion on what I thought. You didn't even know that little bit about the degrees. If you didn't research yourself and find out the information that I did, you don't need to try to insult me over it. I never claimed that I researched the school or any amount of research I did regardless. It's quite apparent that I've done more research than you have though.

Columbia - NYC, MSN then DNP, 4 years, 268k tuition or could be slightly lower, 67k total scholarships, can work during program and gain experience, can sub-specialize, Columbia grads sought after in NYC so easy to find job during DNP portion, ivy league, last year is a residency = working = more experience, no textbooks (according to my friend), student-run clinic to volunteer at, top clinical sites, probably easier for higher grades, program known across country, on-campus housing, career services and job fairs, potentially 60k or more from working and the paid residency MGH - Boston, BSN then MSN, 3 years, 128k tuition, 90k scholarship, hard to find jobs in Boston, no degrees until graduation so no working anyway, Boston hospitals don't want new grads/ students/ need experience, no experience but way lower debt, textbooks required that are expensive, program probably only known in northeast, clinical sites not as good as NYC, small school in nice area, no on-campus housing, rent could potentially be higher I'm from California, so I would like to return and live with my family while paying off my debt. I have some relatives in healthcare and one of them thinks I should choose the cheaper option. He said if I go to Columbia, I should consider joining the Air Force as a commissioned officer afterwards for 3-4 years to pay off my debt. As of right now, I'm not really sure which school I should choose. Yeah, it is. You can see it here: 217-218 Curriculum Plan - DEN - Family Specialty NP | MGH Institute of Health Professions If you want to see the other specialty plans: Direct-Entry Master of Science in Nursing Curricula | MGH Institute of Health Professions From what I've researched, there will always be people who don't like that you did things differently from them. If you're going to be an acute care NP, then previous RN experience would be beneficial (and is required for most programs anyway). As an FNP, I don't think RN experience would help that much. I searched up their Facebook group and someone messaged me haha. You can read previous students' experiences in past MGH threads here too.

Let me know what you end up choosing! I'm in a similar situation. From talking to current students, I found out that you aren't awarded your BSN until you graduate with the MSN. It's hard to break into Boston's healthcare job market as a student and new grad without experience. Even if you wanted to work, you might not be able to find a job especially since you won't have your degree yet. You might be able to work as a personal care assistant, just not as an RN. Switching specialties might work like other schools, where you have to apply to the other specialty? I'm not entirely sure though.

It's still part of your curriculum at 5 units each for two semesters.

It's for tuition only. Crazy expensive! The seamless transition to DNP scholarship is being raised to 40 up from 26.5k, however. You will get 20k year 1 and 20k year 2 of the DNP.

Thank you so much for your input! I've heard good things about MGH's program from current students too, and they feel it adequately prepares them to start off as a new nurse. That's why it's so difficult to choose, since both programs are good! Everybody I've spoken too from both schools told me that no program will truly prepare you for nursing though, and that the learning will come from experience and working. I've sent you a PM, thanks! Are you a current student at UPenn right now, by the way?

It is right though. Costs were discussed in both Facebook groups. Also, we're going to be charged a flat rate instead of per-unit. There was also the first financial aid webinar today. 26,874 + 27,680 + 27,680 + 27,680 = 109,914 for the MDE portion alone They told us that the DNP portion would be about 160,000 total, but I also read in the groups that it's 54,000 per DNP year.

I'm facing a similar decision and also from California, except mine is between Columbia and MGH! I really can't decide either. $38,000 for a BSN AND MSN is SO GOOD. Let me know what you choose! One benefit over UCSF is that you get a BSN and MSN compared to just a MSN though.

I believe it's 27k for 4 semesters for MDE plus 54k per year for DNP. 108k + 168k = 270k

Thanks for the input! I'm currently deciding between Columbia and MGH, but really don't know which to choose. Columbia's cost is off-putting, but I got a very generous scholarship from MGH. If cost wasn't a factor, I probably would choose Columbia though. I really can't decide!

Did you speak to any current students? What was your impression about the program and area when you visited?

I thought that the MDE/DNP seamless transition scholarship is only awarded once.

Do you know if the paid residency during the last year for the DNP is working as an RN or working as an NP?

I was considering these same points as well. I believe Columbia has very good clinical sites as well. If price wasn't a factor, I'd definitely still stick with Columbia, but I'm not so sure now. With the scholarship I received from MGH, the cost of Columbia is 177k more (215k in tuition w/ MDE+DNP scholarships subtracted vs 38k in tuition with scholarship subtracted). They're both good programs, but I'm seriously torn and not sure which one to lean towards!