Meep123

Just recieved an acceptance letter!

@caughtupinthismoment I will just be an RN after graduating the program. I am also waiting on a decision for an accelerated MSN FNP program. However I read the Navy requires 1 year of RN experience and at least 6 months of NP experience in order to go in. I wouldn't mind getting the experience as a civilian and then entering the Navy after. I understand that I would be fine with the second program, because the Navy accepts both masters and doctorate degrees. I am just trying to see what my options are with the first program (1.5 years, come out with MSN and am just an RN).

@FutureFNP-DNP do you know if there are any online classes you have to take? I am not too crazy about online courses but will take them when I have to. What are your thoughts about job opportunity in the future? There are a lot of threads on this forum about the US reaching a saturation of NPs in different areas of the country and that it will get worse for other areas in the future, and that it is largely due to low-quality programs admitting and graduating hundreds of new students. Simmons has a good reputation and I've heard is a quality program so I am wondering if that gives us an advantage when we graduate. Simmons' program is 126k before any Scholarships/aid which is scary if it is difficult for you to find a job. This is also scary if a continuous influx of new grads is lowering wages for NPs, it might become difficult to pay off that debt. I definitely think the price is due to location, their contracts with great teaching hospitals, and that they find all preceptors for you which takes away a ton of stress. I also read that if you are willing to relocate (especially to the midwest) you might have an easier time. I wish we could talk to previous students who have graduated from the program to hear about their experiences with finding jobs. I don't even know if I will be accepted but if I am, I plan to work maybe full-time as an RN and switch to part-time student during the NP portion. While I think any RN experience can be valuable to an NP but is not necessarily needed to be one, I think it will make me a stronger job candidate in the future. Here is one forum that talks about too many practicing NPs. I apologize for sounding like a downer, but I am just concerned about my future. I have also read different posts where new grads had offers before graduating! I think it definitely depends where you live/apply to. I would love any feedback from anyone!

Hello! I was wondering if anyone had any advice for me. I have a B.S in Biology and am accepted into an accelerated M.S in Nursing program that starts in May. Does the Navy only allow BSN? I am doing a masters program because my end goal is NP. I was planning to get my M.S after 1.5 years, work for 1 year, then join the Navy and work as an RN for a couple of years. Is this not possible with just a masters? If I can't join then I will just become an NP in a couple of years and then join the Navy.

@FutureFNP-DNP do you know if there are any online classes you have to take? I am not too crazy about online courses but will take them when I have to. What are your thoughts about job opportunity in the future? There are a lot of threads on this forum about the US reaching a saturation of NPs in different areas of the country and that it will get worse for other areas in the future, and that it is largely due to low-quality programs admitting and graduating hundreds of new students. Simmons has a good reputation and I've heard is a quality program so I am wondering if that gives us an advantage when we graduate. Simmons' program is 126k before any scholarships/aid which is scary if it is difficult for you to find a job. This is also scary if a continuous influx of new grads is lowering wages for NPs, it might become difficult to pay off that debt. I definitely think it is that expensive because of location, their contracts with great teaching hospitals, and that they find all preceptors for you which takes away a ton of stress. I also read that if you are willing to relocate (especially to the midwest) you might have an easier time. I wish we could talk to previous students who have graduated from the program to hear about their experiences with finding jobs. I don't even know if I will be accepted but if I am, I plan to work maybe full-time as an RN and switch to part-time student during the NP portion. While I think any RN experience can be valuable to an NP but is not necessarily needed to be one, I think it will make me a stronger job candidate in the future. There is an FNP on this forum who graduated from Simmons' direct-entry FNP program I think in 2012 who has praised the program continuously. If @BostonFNP has any more comments about the program or any insight about the future job outlook for NPs that would be great!

Hmm maybe I would only do one 8 hour shift/week. Wow your application is amazing! What were your degrees? I only have a B.S in Biology

Your response was amazing thank you! I have family in Boston and will probably stay with them for a bit until I figure everything out!! I wouldn't mind not living directly in the city, especially if it's a difference of thousands of dollars. So your schedule was 2 days classroom and 1 day clinicals? Did you work at all? I work as a CNA right now and am considering working during school to get my foot in the door for RN jobs later. But I might try and get a feel for classes first before adding a job. Do you mind sharing your stats (GPA, work/volunteer experience, certifications etc) for acceptance? Were you accepted into other programs? Why did you ultimately choose Simmons?

Hello! How has the program been so far? Did you immediately begin clinicals? How has your relationship been with professors? I know housing in Boston can be expensive, but was it difficult for you to find? How was your morning commute and class schedule? I saw that they require you to work at least 8 hours/week as an RN during the NP portion. I don't think that's much at all. I am a little worried about job searching after graduating so I may try and work more than 8/week. Have you talked to students in the cohort above you? It's stressful waiting for admission decisions to come out but fingers crossed we will be classmates!

Hello! I know this forum is a couple of years old, but I am hoping some people will still get a notification to their email. I applied and am waiting to hear back from Simmons for their Direct-Entry MSN program where I will graduate as an FNP. For those who were accepted, and are either still students or are graduated from Simmons, how has your experience been? Do you feel the price was worth it? I love that clinicals will be at great hospitals in Boston. How often did you work as an RN during the NP portion? how is job searching after graduation? Is it difficult because of the little RN experience students gain while in school? I am so worried it will be hard to find a job after graduating. I am also accepted to a direct-entry MSN program that takes 1.5 years but I will only graduate as an RN. So i am debating doing that track and getting a couple of years of RN experience before going to NP school (just to be more desirable to employers) or doing the entire RN and NP all at once with Simmons. Any feedback would be SO appreciated!!!!!!

Hmm I didn't know that! As an FNP I plan to work in an outpatient setting. What are your plans? Did you apply to other programs that are not FNP?

I also think that having less experience might be okay for us as we will become FNPs and work in outpatient settings. I think RN experience would be more helpful for acute care NPs.

Thank you so much for that response! I definitely understand your reasoning for wanting to get into the field ASAP, I feel the same way. Simmons does have an amazing reputation and location and that is what really draws me into this program. I didn't know NP residency programs existed, are they similar to RN residency programs in hospitals for new hires, where they meet maybe once or twice a week to discuss cases and learn more? I have always seen myself in the provider role as I have been doing bedside care as an LNA for a number of years. I also agree that with the implementation of more direct-entry programs, we will probably see a change in trends regarding RN experience. I requested to join a FB group for an earlier class of Simmons' direct-entry program to hopefully ask students about their experiences in the program. I haven't found too many reviews besides on GradeReports. Fingers crossed we both get in! If anyone else wants to share their opinion they are welcome to do so! ?

Are you guys planning to not work, work part-time or full-time as RNs during the NP portion? I was reading last year's Simmons forum and one person mentioned that the NPs and hiring nurse leaders they talked to said they won't hire an FNP with no RN experience. I know typically (before direct-entry NP programs existed) NPs had at least a couple of years of RN experience before starting a program. What are your opinions about graduating simmons with only 1-2 years of RN experience? This is what's troubling me. Since Simmons has students do 760 NP clinical hours, does this really prepare us for the real world? But since simmons is specific to FNP, its 760 FNP clinical hours so maybe that helps? I've been watching videos and listening to current FNPs talk about their opinions about this and they say having the previous RN experience helped them through NP school, but when practicing as a new FNP it's still just as hard. I really want to hear your thoughts on this. The other program I was accepted to is just an accelerated MSN program where I would come out as just an RN and would have to go get experience and then apply to NP programs. Simmons was my top choice because I will be completely done with all schooling and they're contracted with amazing hospitals in Boston. It still is my top choice but if accepted, I really want to make sure it's the right choice because it's more than double$ my other program (obviously because it's NP too but still that's one big loan to take out all at once!)

Nothing sent to me yet but I got a generalized email from Brett DiMarzo on December 24 saying decisions are most likely going to be sent out early/mid february!

Hello! Do you live on/off campus? Do you know if off campus housing is difficult to find/expensive? Does milwaukee have good public transportation or should we have a car? How spread out is the campus in case we have to walk to different buildings for classes? (I heard winters are brutal). Fingers crossed you get an acceptance soon!!!! ?