juliewoo

I think the first one you listed (Chem 1001) sounds just right. Honestly, they didn't fight me on any of my pre-reqs so I think you'll be fine with whatever you choose.

I took my chem class at Northern Essex Community College. Forget what it was called, something like "Biological Chem" and it was a mix of both inorganic and (very basic) organic. Satisfied the pre-req requirement for MGH and if you've taken any kind of Chemistry before you'll find it very easy.

You're welcome. Good luck with whatever path you choose!

What about direct entry MSN programs? If you want to be an NP, this seems like the most direct option to me (and probably less expensive in the long run). I guess I just don't understand why you would want to go with an ADN program then bridge to the Master's when you could be done with both a BSN and an MSN in 3 years (as many schools award both degrees upon completion of the program).

Depending on where you're hired, you may not need phlebotomy or EKG training before you start. I just got a job as a nursing assistant and the hospital where I was hired includes phlebotomy and EKG training as part of orientation.

Yes, definitely. Won't say I've loved every little thing, but that's to be expected. Even though I feel like I'm busy all the time, the semesters go by REALLY fast. Hard to believe I'm 3 weeks away from finishing my first year!

Oh hey there fellow classmate

I haven't had any experience with the NP clinical because I'm not at that part yet, but my academic advisor has already mentioned to me that clinical spots are limited due to a shortage of preceptors. In terms of clinicals you do in the first year portion, everyone does their Med/Surg rotations at MGH so there's very little variation there. Psych clinicals seem to vary widely - I was at McLean and loved it, others were not so happy with their placements. It really depends on what you make of it I think.

They're referring to the Health Assessment course. You do practice on each other, but it's not bad, I promise. And the lab instructors are very clear that if you don't feel comfortable having someone examine you, you are not obliged to do so. (But really, all it is is someone feeling your belly, and other easily exposed parts like arms, legs, head). The BSN students only take the basic Health Assessment course, so I don't think you'll have to worry about learning to do breast exams or pelvics. For things of that nature, the school typically hires "models" who are willing participants.

Hi laurg0223, The schedule for first semester is really packed in the first couple of weeks and then it settles down once clinicals start. The classes for the fall are History of Nursing Ideas, Pathophysiology, Process & Skills ("Fundamentals"), and Biobehavioral (Psych). For the first month, you'll have class 4 days a week (M, W, Th, F) and Psych clinical on Tuesdays. During this time you're in Process & Skills on both Wednesdays AND Thursdays (all day, 8a-4p) and then Fridays are "skills days" where they teach you the basics (vital signs, bed baths, patient transfers, etc) before you start clinical. Med-Surg clinical at MGH starts at the beginning of October. Most students have clinical on Fridays. So even though you technically have Thursdays "off," you still need to go into the hospital to get your patient info and do care plans for the next day. Only 24 students had the option to have clinical on Thursdays and had Fridays off. The instructors for the course will only place you in Thursday clinical if you really have a NEED to be in that section (i.e. child care, job). This is what my schedule looked like first semester (*Pathophysiology was an online course): Monday History of Nursing Ideas (9a-11:50a) Biobehavioral (1p-3:50p) Tuesday Psych Clinical (3p-9p) Wednesday Process & Skills (8:30a-11:30a) Thursday No class; Patient prep @ hospital Friday Med-Surg Clinical (7a-3p) In the Spring, the schedule is a little more complicated since there are so many variations. Let's see if I can explain this without making your head spin . There are 3 possible configurations: (1) clinical @ MGH on Thurs AND Fri for 1st 5 weeks of the semester, then Health Assessment every Fri for the second half of the Semester; (2) clinical @ MGH on Thurs AND Fri for 2nd 5 weeks of the semester, then Health Asssessment every Fri for the first half of the semester; (3) clinical @ MGH every Fri for the whole semester, and Health Assessment on Wed afternoons during either the first or second 5 weeks of the semester. See? Complicated. I had option number 1, so right now I'm done with clinical and have just started Health Assessment. I like it because now I get Thursdays off :) Here's what my schedule looks like this semester: Monday Community Health (9a-11:50a) Pharmacology (1p-3:50p) Tuesday Community Health Clinical (8a-2p) Wednesday Common Problems in Adult Health (9a-12p) Thursdays [Clinical @ MGH, first 5 weeks] No Class Fridays [Clinical @ MGH, first 5 weeks] Health Assessment (8a-11:50a) Whew! I think that covers it. "Tips" will have to be a separate post since I don't want to take up an entire page here!!

PsychRN28 - I still have about 10 months to go before I take the NCLEX, so I'm not currently looking for RN jobs. That being said, my clinical group did have a discussion about this issue with our instructor the other day and it's true that there is no "nursing shortage" in the Boston area. Our instructor admitted to us that we will likely have a harder time trying to get a job as an RN once we pass the boards simply due to high supply and low demand. The impression I have thus far is that jobs at the big Boston hospitals are a lot harder to come by, but that there are still some opportunities floating around at hospitals outside of the city. I'm in the Master's program, and I've heard the job outlook for NPs is a lot more promising. Hoping that's the case

The role of the CNA is pretty much identical to the role you'll have as a first year student in clinical so most hospitals will not require you to go through a separate CNA training program. The unit I just finished my rotation on this semester only hires nursing students as their CNAs (or PCAs as they're called around here) so it shouldn't be an issue for you when you're looking to find a job.

I have no idea what the exact number is, but they DO accept people off the waitlist. I know at least a couple classmates who were accepted off the waitlist, but unfortunately I can't give you a time frame. Don't get too discouraged! It's early in the game and schools are still sending out acceptances so there's always a chance you'll get the letter you're hoping for :redbeathe

Many students work as nursing assistants over the summer (that is...if they can get a job. most of my classmates are trying for CNA jobs right now and they're hard to come by). It's a good way to maintain your skills during the 4 months we have off for summers (May-August). Some people also choose to take classes over the summer (most of which are online) to help lighten the load in the fall and spring semesters.

Congrats to those who got accepted to MGH! I'm just finishing my first year in the program now and would be happy to chat with any of you who are considering going there in the fall. Just send me a PM