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

My guess is that MGH will send out letters sometime next week. I got mine last year around the 26th of Feb.

If I were you, I would start by re-taking the pre-reqs that you didn't do so well in. Then tackle the GRE. (I hated that test, too). I think going the traditional BSN or ADN route would be counter productive (and probably a lot harder to get funding for since most places wont give you loans for a second bachelor's. I think since the accelerated BSN is considered a graduate program, you can get loans). And from what I can gauge, the accelerated BSN programs are becoming just as competitive (if not more) than the direct entry MSN programs. I know at MGH this year they had some huge spike in the number of applications, and our MSN class this year is already significantly larger than ones from previous years.

Chemistry in HS definitely won't cut it, and if you didn't take any Chemistry when you got your bachelor's you have to take it (including an organic component). They won't let you start the program without it. Believe me...you'll want to take it. It comes in handy in Pathophysiology and Pharmacology.

Hi TedEMTP, If the class schedule for next fall stays the same (which I'm assuming it will), here's the schedule you're looking at: Mondays - class from 9 am to 4 pm. The morning class is History of Nursing Ideas, and depending on your professor you may not need to come in every week for class (some of the weeks we had "online discussion" instead). Tuesdays - Psych Clinical. Times vary depending on where you are. Some sites went from 8am to 2pm, but I had evening clinical and was there from 3pm to 9pm. Wednesdays - Class from 9am to 12pm. Wednesday mornings is "Process and Skills" (aka Fundamentals) which is your most important and demanding class. We were supposed to have Pathophysiology directly following this class on Wednesdays, but it ended up being a completely online course. Not sure if it will stay that way next semester based on the feedback we gave the instructor. Thursdays and Fridays will vary depending on when you have Med/Surg clinical at MGH. A vast majority of our class had clinical on Fridays this past fall. In that case, you have Thursday "off" from class, but you still need to go over to the hospital to gather your patient info. If you have clinical on Thursday, your patient prep happens Wednesday after class and you get Fridays off. If you have any other questions, send me a PM! I'd be happy to give you some more info about the program :)

Definitely take them anywhere other than the school you're attending. I had to take 3 classes last summer and it cost me less to take 3 courses at community colleges than I would have cost me to take ONE class at MGH through Science Summer (and we're talking significantly less money, like $1000 worth). I took my classes at Northern Essex Community College and Middlesex Community College. 2 were online, 1 was in class which was a pain since I worked full time this summer and had to go out of my way to get there. I would suggest taking online classes if that option is available to you. Where you choose to take the courses is up to you. There are lots of community colleges and state schools to choose from. I picked ones that fit my schedule and offered what I needed, even though neither one was particularly close to where I live. (If you find what you need close to home - go that route. One of my online classes had in-class exams which was a big pain in the butt). In terms of transferring the credits, it was a breeze. All I had to do was make sure my transcripts from the two schools were sent to MGH as soon as grades were available.

MGH sends out their decisions at the end of February and they don't interview, so don't be alarmed if you don't hear from them for a while. They also sent out a welcome email last year (and an invitation to the Open House in March) when I was accepted, which some people got before the actual letter.

My acceptance letter last year came in a regular letter/thin envelope (it only had two pieces of paper - the actual letter and a deposit/agreement form).

Cherish, I ended up choosing MGH simply because I felt it was a better fit for me (in terms of location, what the program offered, etc.) I just finished my first semester and I LOVE it. Good luck to all of you waiting for your decisions. I remember how nervewracking it can be!

I vote C as well. O2 is considered a medication and requires a dr's order. Since it doesn't tell you in the question whether that order exists or not, I think C is your best bet.

BananaNapkin, Just as FYI since you applied to the same schools that I did last year... You'll hear from Regis pretty quickly about their decision. I sent my app in after the early decision deadline (beginning of January) and had my response within about 2.5 weeks. They only give you 4 weeks from the date your letter is marked to make a decision send in a deposit, which made it tough since MGH doesn't send out letters until late February/early March. That wasn't something I had considered when I sent in my applications so I thought I would warn you now to potentially save you from the anguish that I experienced over trying to decide what to do!