butch228

Hi there, I'm a grad from MGH IHP RN-MSN track. I had a BA in a non-nursing field, then I went back to school (community college) to get met my ADN degree. I thought about getting BSN but I wanted the least expensive route to get my nursing degree and I have no regrets! I think most Boston schools have RN-MSN tracks but they seem to promote BSN or direct entry programs more.

Hi..I got my ASN from Bunker Hill CC back in 2002 and my NP at MGH -IHP. I thought BHCC gave me a great education for the money..what a bargain and my tiny evening class gave me lots of attention and of course we all passed the NCLEX...MGH IHP was expensive..forutunately I had good clinical placements..some of my classmates not so lucky..My advice..be careful with loans..you'll read on this website how difficult it is for new grads to get jobs in Boston ..also look at the NCLEX pass rates from each school that you're considering..its published on the MASS Nursing Board of Registration. Good luck!!

I would see which school would give you a better financial aid package..they are both expensive..remember those loan payments add up ...I went to MGH...although it was pricey..some of my classmates got generous scholarship money....employers out there don't really care about NP school rankings..not yet..

Yeah..that's really unusual...I'm certified thru the AANP and there were no delays that I can remember...I would persistenly call .....make sure you get a concrete answer why your application is in limbo

I think it depends on the type of patient population you want to manage. However, I think it would only benefit you ....on how an acute hospital manages patients in terms of antibioitc treatments and quick discharges to home , rehab, or skilled nursing facilitity.

Congrats..the Journey is just beginning!!!

I'm a grad of the MGH program...but in the RN-MSN program. Most of the students were Direct Entry...I had a positive experience including my clinicals..but some of my classmates would disagree..i guess i was lucky..the previous poster is correct..go for the most cost effective program...those loans will be due ..right when you're looking for a job..Stress! School is pretty much how much you put in..its not gonna do everything right..its just gonna get you into the profession at the beginning

I'm a past grad of the program back in 2002, in the evening program. I thought it was a tough nursing program, but everyone in my class passed the NCLEX. For the most part, 90 % of the instructors are competent. In fact, I used certain instructors for job references ( been working at MGH) and letter for recommendations for grad school. As for dimensional analysis, you will totally use it when figuring out dosing meds on the hospital flr.

Hi It depends on where you live..and what positions are available. I had 5 yrs experience as a nurse at a big teaching hospital in Boston when I accepted my first NP position. The job that I accepted was about 17 thousand more per year than my staff nurse salary. However, one NP pos in a hospital wanted to pay me about the same rate as my RN salary. So it depends on location and what type of practice environment.

3 years ..working on a medical floor.

Hi all, I am a grad of the BHCC evening program back in 2002. Back then , the pass rate was over 90%..and I noticed ever since they instituted the weekend program and increased the enrollment ..the pass rates have decreased. I wonder if BHCC is stretching the students too thin for the program. When I was in school..the exams were tough..but they prepared us well..my whole evening class passed the NCLEX..but we graduated about 6 evening students ..down from 12 students. So we got lots of attention. Just study, read....study in groups...and don't miss lecture!!

In regards to the previous post that mentions that MGH will not hire a AD grad if you haven't worked at MGH as a PCA/Tech is simply not true..because I am a AD grad that was hired by MGH..and I was a PCA at BMC in my last semester of nursing school. This was back in 2002, but another co-worker was a AD grad was hired by MGH but she had worked as a PCA at MGH on another floor. The bottom line is that big places at MGH , Brigham..the hiring is simply dictated by the nurse manager. MGH tries to promote a BSN only "rule" but there are very well qualified AD grads..who are older, have other non-nursing degrees..who can bring alot to the table. So if a nurse manager really wants to hire a AD grad..then you're in!

I'm a new NP ..about a year out since graduation. I originally thought of becoming an onc NP, I even did clinical rotation thru a Oncology Hosp. Anyways, most Oncology NP positions want at least 2 years experience of working in oncology..usually as a oncology staff nurse. and most Oncology RN positions want you to have a least 1-2 yrs experience of working on med-surg floor. Oncology NPs order chemotherapy..in my state , the attending physician will write the initial chemo dose..then subsequent cycles, Onc NP will write those. Essentially, they follow the patient thru the chemo/radiation process and the follow up. NPs are involved in ordering tests, labs, doing bone marrow biopsies, ordering meds. My advice would be to work as an RN on a oncology flr, to familarize yourself with chemo, the disease process and the type of patients you'll be encountering. Good luck.

Congratulations NP!!! Good Work!!

Congratulations ...Job well Done!! Its been been about almost a year when I passed my boards..its kind of an odd feeling of exicitement, nervousness...and a feeling that a milestone had just passed. I totally agree with the Fitzgerald review..it didnt cover everything..but it did cover the IMPORTANT points to study in an understandable , articulate manner. I still use my study guide that came with my CDs as a quick reference guide in my practice as an Adult NP.

I'm a grad of BHCC evening program back in 2002. They didnt have the weekend option when I was going to school . All of the classes clinicals if I recall started antime after 5pm. I was working full time in an administrative job.and I remember I had to rush to get to my clinicals at 5p..I'm not sure if its changed or not. Going to school and working full time during the day was a grind...but doable. You have to disciplined to get all of the readings done. I remember scheduling my vacation days from work before midterms..finals ..so I can prepare. My old job had a very generous tuition reimbursement plan..so they paid for most if not all of my nursing program. Good luck

HI I'm a grad of the BHCC program back in 2002..I was in the evening portion..now they have day, evening and weekend programs. BHCC is difficult to get into b/c of the number of applications. and its a good program. I remember the exams were tough..but they prepare you well for the NCLEX..the pass rate (back then) were very high. I eventually went to grad school..and I still think the BHCC exams were just as difficult Also even though I had a ADN..I was still hired by MGH. ( I have a BA in another field)..so don't let that sway you from applying to big teaching hospitals. Also the caliber of my other students I think are higher than other community college programs..some had degrees in other fields..some from the military.. i knew of one grad who had an MBA before going to BHCC!

I think the program prepared me well...I think the key is the clinical experience..if you have a good placement/preceptor..then you can learn alot. As for the classes..some were helpful..some not..I think it depended on the instructor..if the instructor still practices ..you can tell right away...some instructors were academics/researchers..not so helpful (except in the world of research) I didnt care for some of the online classes. Most of it was self-directed. I did like the classes at the end of the program..they were small..intimate in size. Likes.. My clinical placements Most of the instructors/professors. Most of my classmates ( some had really diverse backgrounds, alot of the direct entry students came from prestigious undergrad colleges) Dislikes.. Online classes Adminstration Policies..redtape the cost / useless textbooks. the bottomline..grad school is not perfect...its what you make of it..be prepared to jump thru lots of hoops to get what you want..which is a degree

Hi ... I'm a graduate of the MGH-IHP program. However,I was in the RN-MSN program. Most of the students are direct entry MSN students. From what I heard from the direct entry students is that the the RN portion was better that the post- RN portion of the program. I believe most of the RN clinicals are in MGH, but the NP clinicals are in various settings..some are in MGH ..some outside of MGH. As for the nursing practice being taught the MGH way? I'm not sure of that..Although I'm an NP now..I've been working as a staff nurse at MGH for almost 6 yrs now. MGH is so big..over 900 beds..multiple buildings..you'll see various types of nursing practice depending on the floor culture, CNS..nurse manager. As for the ratio..for students to professors..it depends on the what speaciality who are going for..the general nursing courses..the classes are bigger..but as your program wines down..the classes are small..more of a seminar format. was the program good..some parts were good..some not so good...the professors for the most part are very helpful..they want you to succeed..I still keep in contact with some of them ..as mentors..references. the school is actually located in the Charlestown Navy Yard..which is kind of nice..next to the water..the library is located on the hosptial grounds..which is a great resource and quiet study space.

Well, I took the adult AANP certification exam several months ago. To prepare, like a previous post mentioned, I used a couple of different sources. My main content review was from Fitzgerald , which I highly recommend. It didn't take me long to go thru all of their sample test questions, so I used other review books for practice questions. Everyone prepares differently, but I would advise to go through as many test questions as you can. Because some obscure topic may pop up. As for the exam itself, it wasn't bad at all, only a few questions were asking on content I had no idea, but most I knew. They also give lab norms which helped. Then at the end, you know if you passed or failed based on a prelim. result. Good luck!

So far I've been in my current position as a new NP for about 4 months now..so I can feel the similarities and differences btwn this NP orientation and my RN orientation. MY NP orientation has different kind of stresses..like am i prescribing the right meds?...insurance rules and regulations related to what meds and how often they will pay for..another stress is when patients call up the last minute looking for narcotics/ benzos..all related to being a primary care NP. As for RN orientation..stresses were diff b/c it was on a acute medical floor. A big stress were distractions coming left / right...doctors..NPs calling you asking about their patients....or sick patients whose families who were making big demands from the nurse

Hi There... I went back to school to get my ADN degree to get into nursing. I already have a BA in Bio..so it took me exactly 2 yrs to get my nursing degree. I didn't even entertain the idea of going thru the accelerated BSN or ASN route..because of the costs. I wanted to work during nursing school..which was difficutl but doable. I just didnt want to incur any school loan debt. I simply didn't think a Bachelors in Nursing would be necessary esp since I had my eye on becoming an NP. So after 3 yrs of working as a staff RN , I went back to get my MSN which I completed over a yr ago.

I went thru the MGH Institute of Health Professions program..check it out...http://www.mghihp.edu..

Hi there Kevin.. I'm a grad, from the MGH MSN program..but unfortunately I was one of the few RN students (compared to the number of Direct Entry NP students). Since I was an RN-MSN student..we were kind of isolated from the Direct Entry Students.. .the few direct entry students that I have run into since graduation have for the most part secured NP jobs in the Boston area. One works in acute care setting, another works in a community health clinic. There may be a bias out there for NP students with little RN experience....but my impression of the Direct Entry students (esp at MGH) is that many had other advanced degrees..most of the students were pretty mature in their clinical reasoning/diagnosing, which helped in getting NP jobs. As for me...when I completed my MSN degree, I had over 5 years working on a acute medical floor at MGH..it gave me nice snapshot what to expect in a acute care setting,and what are the latest cutting edge treatments for various diseases. In fact I still work there per diem as a Staff Nurse.just to keep my feet wet in a acute medical environment. I view my work as staff nurse on a medical floor as a "residency". Am I diagnosing..prescribing..no..but I can pick the medical resident or the attending's brain..on why are they treating such disease with a certain medication. I work now as an NP in the community..but my patients have very complex medical problems..and frequently they get sent to the hosptial. More clinical time in a residency..or in other situations can only enhance one's practice. I mean..can you imagine..medical school grads practicing medicine without residency? Scary..but if you think about it , NP's are doing it now. The bottom line is that depending on certain areas of NP care, a Residency can only enhance our profession and our outcomes.

That would be me. You'll hear a debate that one should have a BSN before getting an MSN..blah, blah. But obviously I don't agree. During my last semester of my ADN years, I distinclty remember hearing about these "ADN-MSN" programs and made a mental note to myself. So now..I've just been practicing for about several months as a new Adult NP. And so far..I like what I've experienced so far..incl the good and the bad. ADN-MSN programs arent' for everyone..but for some who think they're mature enough to go thru the program, and actually practice intelligently and thoughtfully...I recommend it.