graymama

Hah! I also have kids and took all weekend clinicals - no one wants them, so there are always openings. : )

Simmons would like everyone to work as an RN while doing the NP portion. Having said that, in this economy they are being very understanding about this and looking at changing the requirement if needed. We do NOT have to find our own NP clinicals - Simmons takes care of it. They work really hard to get all of your classes in one day, so you are free to work, do clinicals, study. The schedule on that one day is killer, but if you are commuting it is great. For the first year, you are on campus more (2-3 times a week) just because of the intensity of the classes.

I am at Simmons in the Direct Entry Program - got my RN in December, now in the first semester of the NP program. I recently ran into a couple of NPs who graduated from other schools in Boston. Both of them were in awe of the fact that we get to have paid patients come in this first semester and do physicals on them, before starting clinicals in the summer. Both said they had nothing like that and felt unprepared in the first clincal rotation. They also could not believe that we get a full year of clinical experience (all summer, and then fall and next spring). So I am glad I chose Simmons and have been really happy with my experience here. Good luck!!!

I was also trying to make the decision btwn Simmons and MGH. I have decided to go with Simmons ME program. Simmons has consistently had a great reputation, and gives you alot of experience before graduation because they require you to work as an RN while pursuing your masters. I like the feel of having a whole diverse campus there, and not just an institute of health care people (Simmons brings in a lot of culturally interesting speakers/conferences that are not just health care related). Simmons also has ties to Harvard's school of public health, so if you are interested in that, you can get a joint masters with them. Good luck in your decision!:nuke:

I did my pre-reqs there and got a letter last month stating that problems had been resolved and that they are admitting a class for Fall 08. Good luck!

That really sounds cumbersome! Especially if aides are in both ears... Is it just easier to not wear the aides??? I can easily see myself dropping things on the floor, batteries then rolling away, me crawling around while the patient sits there wondering what is so hard about a BP check.... Is this the only way? Perhaps I should start practicing graceful removal of hearing aides!

I am starting a RN-MSN program this spring and am worried about my hearing loss also. About a year ago I developed tennitus in both of my ears, with some hearing loss. I am right on the borderline for needing hearing aids, and feel like my hearing is getting worse. My question is - how do electronic stethoscopes (or regular ones) work when you where hearing aids? Is there a particular brand that works well for ringing ears??? Thanks for helping me try to understand this.

No...just DE

I should have been clearer about MGHIHP - the timing that I am talking about is for Direct Entry for Fall 08. The deadline for applications is January 15??? and I was told they would have decisions for admission around the first week in March. This is the program for non-nurses with a Bachelor's degree to get an RN and then an MSN in 3 years. Sorry for any confusion!

The one thing about BC's program is that it is only 2 years, and leaves no room for working as an RN and gaining some experience on the way to the Masters. I personally want to get some experience - Simmons requires that you work 24 hours/week as an RN while continuing on to the Masters. I realize that everyone has different needs, but that is why the program at BC didn't appeal to me. It is great in that you can get through in 2 years!

I'm looking at Direct Entry Programs at Regis, Simmons and MGHIHP. Just got into Regis - Simmons should let me know within the week. MGH says first week in March! I am leaning towards Simmons, but MGH definitely has its appeal! I have kids, so I am trying to decide if I should be practical and go with the flexibility of Regis... Kind of losing it at this point trying to figure it all out!!!:innerconf I just want to make sure I end up at a decent place, if you know what I mean!!!

I was also accepted at Regis. What draws you to MGHIHP more than Regis? Is it just the idea of being in Boston at the hospitals down there (this is definitely a factor for me)? I like the flexible schedule that Regis offers, but am not sure if that is enough to lure me away from the prospect of being in Boston! Does Regis have a decent reputation among nurses/hospitals around here?

I think a lot of us feel for you. I have 4 kids and went through a tough few years of a very sick child, miscarriages, sick husband, a move. If there is one thing, you deal and move on. But when things come back-to-back, you really don't get your recovery time. I was never diagnosed, but realize now that I was depressed for several years. Depression can lead to short temper with kids, as well as an inability to focus. The other thing that I had going on was hyperthyroidism - I didn't know it, but all these vague symptoms were indicative of it. Medication for my thyroid really helped... I would suggest a complete physical for yourself, and ask about depression and thyroid. There are a lot of us in our late 30s taking care of everyone but ourselves... I was lucky that I did not start on my pre-reqs until I was through the worst of it...there are still bumps, but nothing like those few really hard years... Best wishes to you!

I also applied to Regis and Simmons. Regis said they would send letters by January 7th if you had your application in by December 10. So next week should be interesting! What do you think about Regis? Have you heard anything from nurses about the program at Regis, as far as reputation among hospitals?

Do you think it's okay to call and ask about when letters will be sent? I don't want to annoy anyone, but it is SO hard waiting...