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I wish I could make it! I have to be up in Portland, ME all day tomorrow. I hope to make the next one!

hi Pinkemme, I tried to PM you but your mailbox here is full!

I am a firm believer that no education is a waste! I think it's a braver decision to pull out now rather than going along "just cuz". Best of luck!

Is anyone else finding that they are now having second thoughts about heading into nursing? I've been accepted into an accelerated BSN program that starts in early 2010. However, I am now finding that I starting to have second thoughts. All the nightmare stories that I've heard about how difficult it is for new grads to find decent jobs (or any jobs at all!) has weighed on me very heavily. It seems that there is a very real problem of a glut -- certainly of new nurses. Is anyone else starting to wonder if they should reconsider? I hate to think that I've come so far only to give up on this idea, but I will hate it even more if I am unable to find decent work upon graduation from the program. I really don't know what to do.

These sorts of posts just scare the life out of me! I am waiting to start an accelerated BSN program early next year and I am now having some real doubts as to whether or not this is the best move. I really do not want to deplete my savings to undergo a demanding academic program only to find that I cannot land a job after finishing!

Wow, I just looked at that website and I'm flabbergasted. I can't believe that someone would go to such an effort. While I agree with the previous posters that it's hard to find it completely credible I do have to wonder what on earth happened to anger her so greatly. Also, I can't imagine being transferred all the way from Idaho to Boston with such injuries. The whole thing is pretty fascinating (and sad).

I would love to meet fellow members of the program, but I'm afraid that I can't schedule anything until my daughter is back at school in the Fall. Hope to meet everyone then!

The info I have is that classes will start in mid-late Jan, 2010 and will be three days a week for the first semester (likely Tues, Wed, Thurs. -- but I don't think that's set in stone). The first semester is all academic and on campus at Curry in Milton. And one of the days is only a 1/2 day for 1/2 of the semester (I think it's the simulated clinical lab). The clinicals start in the summer semester and are mostly in Boston. That's a 4 day week. I believe we have 2 weeks off in August before heading into the Fall semester. I think we will get a full schedule at our first welcome meeting in November. That's about all I know so far! :)

You can do it! Just wait and you will see, there will others in similar boats! I was fearful of going back to school after being out for 20 years, afraid of being too old, afraid because I'd never worked in the healthcare industry...and I found that there were lots of people who were older, who'd been out longer, and some who'd never even had a career at all -- let alone one in the health care industry. Sign up. You'll never know if this is for you unless you try.

I'd suggest going straight into the ABSN now rather than doing it after getting an ADN. Do you already have a bachelor's degree in another field? I wish I had something to say about the hiring rate, but I'm feeling pretty discouraged by what I'm reading/hearing, too. :)

In addition, I was told that the number of applications they had this year was down from the year before because of the higher application fee they instituted -- $200! (which they will not charge for the 2011 year). Also, I have been told that MGH ended up taking in 90 students so their acceptance rate is closer to 20% as well. In the end, it seems that all of these programs are very selective. So to anyone considering applying, I'd say definitely keep trying if you aren't accepted at the first program you apply to! :)

I received an acceptance letter as well! I am very excited. Perhaps I will have a chance to meet some of you later on this month at the financial aid help night they've put together for later on this month. :)

Still nothing here... Has anyone gotten word yet? I was told that the letters went out last Thursday. I'm hoping I hear something today, the ambiguity is killing me.

Nothing yet. However, I think yesterday was the earliest date they said they'd start sending their decisions. Maybe some people will start to hear today? Does anyone know if their total number of applications went up from last year (like so many other programs have reported)? Given the current climate of competition to get into these programs, that's what I'd expect, but I'm wondering if their newly required application fee kept an application increase in check.

I sent you a PM.

:chuckle That's very funny! Well, I can attest that some people were not put on the mother of all wait lists. (I'm one of them.) I'm glad that your friend has been able to make contact with someone willing to share information with him about his status and their process. The few attempts I made to get information from their staff were ignored. Of all the programs I've looked at, I've found MGHIHP's staff to be the least helpful (to the point of rudeness, actually) and most secretive. In that regard, anyway, the newness of the program definitely shows.

There are 360 applicants on their waiting list??!! Wow, how did you find that out?

Dtrmnd2sccd, any chance you've heard whether or not they've gotten more applications for 2010 than usual (as so many of the other area programs have seen)?

When I attended an info session earlier this year, they didn't have next year's rates set yet, but this year tuition is approximately $34,800. That's everything except books.

North Shore Comm. College - Danvers Northern Essex Comm. College - Haverhill

It's been a couple of years since I compared these programs, but if I recall correctly, isn't there a pretty significant tuition difference? I seem to remember Simmons as the cheaper option by a considerable amount.

I'm glad to hear that you had a good experience with Research because I am very interested in this area. I really think it would be a great fit for me. Thanks for giving us so much open and honest feedback! It really helps. :)

LOL Pinkemme, my thoughts exactly. I wouldn't be surprised if our "nameless" schools are the same. Best of luck with your application!:)

The only schools I know of in the Boston area where you can get a BSN and then work while attending part-time to get an NP are Simmons and Regis. I believe that BC is the top-ranked nursing program in the Boston area but unless they have a new offering I'm unaware of they don't offer an accelerated BSN program.

Hi Cityhawk! How did you like the program? Was there anything about it that you didn't like? Was it difficult to find a job after graduating? Did you find the help that Curry provided with your resume and such to be helpful? I'd love to hear more about your experience if you care to tell us! Thanks. :)