Take2inRI

Oh no, you can go anywhere you like. I just meant that for my first job, it's likely I would be looking at places where I made connections during my schooling. So if I went to Vanderbilt, that would mean Nashville. But of course, you could move anywhere :)

I was accepted at Vandy and BC. I'm currently in the first year of the program at BC and am very happy with it. I loved Vandy when I visited, and cost of living is less, but I know Nashville is saturated with NPs and I wasn't really interested in living elsewhere in TN after graduation. Plus, I'm from New England. I'm really happy with this program, but obviously not having enrolled at Vandy I can't REALLY compare them for you. But I'm happy with my decision. And I have buyer's remorse about everything...lol I remember being in your shoes, so if I can answer anything specific just ask :-)

Most do get jobs as FNPs right away if that makes you feel better :) Some people choose residencies, I'm not sure how hard they are to come by as I haven't begun looking yet, but I won't freak out if that doesn't end up being the route I choose. I'm expecting it to take a while to feel comfortable as a provider on my own, but so far I feel as though we'll be well-prepared after graduation. And the students in the 2nd year say they're really loving it. Again, you have to decide if learning fast is for you. If I was more comfortable going slower I would have looked at longer programs. And we're all anxious about the loans! :-)

Hi all, I'm currently in the master's entry program at BC, first year. I hear your concerns about it being fast, and it is, but I decided to just dedicate my life to this for the short term and be done sooner. The philosophy is not that you will graduate and walk into a clinic and know everything you need to be a primary care provider on day one anyway. The question is, did you get a solid enough foundation? Your learning curve year one on the job will be huge regardless. You just have to decide if the 2 yr program works for you. It doesn't work for everyone. I'm leaning toward a residency myself, but we'll see. Hmm, trying to remember some of your ?s on the previous pages..... Last year PMHNP was the only specialty that had interviews and not every PMHNP applicant who got in had one, so don't stress about that. We actually found out on Feb 1, but we were all surprised by that, so don't panic yet. I'm sure they give a date they KNOW they'll be done by. I think most people got scholarship notification with their decision letter. One thing that made me nervous with all programs is that they all seem pretty disorganized and friends in other programs told me theirs were nuts. I do not feel that way about BC, for organization I'm very glad I chose them. If you're a MA resident, UMass is definitely cheaper. I don't remember other questions, but good luck to all of you!! BC is a great program with a great reputation :-) Iton specifically: I got into both BC and Vandy and went with BC. I don't regret it. Cost of living is WAY cheaper in Nashville, but BC's program is cheaper, they pretty much even out (or they did this time last year). Even though I was totally okay with traveling for school, I chose BC because I'm a New Englander, and because while Nashville is pretty sweet, it's also saturated with NPs and I didn't want to live in TN outside of Nashville. But I did love Vandy when I visited. Loved it.

In my first semester now at 44! I'm old enough to be the mom to most of my cohort, but it doesn't feel that way. And I'm not the oldest either. It took me 2 1/2 years to take my pre-reqs one at a time while I worked full time, then I quit my job and jumped. Time is going to pass anyway, where would you RATHER be in a few years? Go for it! Good luck!

Vanderbilt has an emergency specialty as well, I'd look into it :-)

Hi kc03, and congrats! Try this link... Log into Facebook | Facebook If that doesn't work let us know :-)

I don't remember if they said how competitive it is. They did say it was combined GPA & GRE though, not GPA alone. For the first year anyway. 2nd year would be the 4.0s I guess. But who knows what might have changed.

They told us at the open house in October, but see Ianima's comment below, looks like they did away with the essays.

Hi, I just checked my notes because I remember they talked about them at the Oct open house. There are three, given to students with the highest GPA and GRE. One pre-specialty, one direct-entry and I apologize, I missed the last one (there's a ? in my notes). You don't have to apply, they pull the info from applications. If you're #s are high enough you're notified that you're eligible, then you write an essay. Winners are chosen from there. Hope that helps.

You won't wait until mid-March if you made the priority deadline. That should just be if you missed that deadline. Good luck to all, whenever you applied! í ½í¹‚

Got it and found you on Facebook! Thanks and congrats to you too!!! And you're already in Brookline, so lucky, that's where I'm looking (I lived in Dedham for a while, too bad I'm not still there...lol). Let me know if you hear of something affordable nearby :-)

Here we are! I was just thinking I needed to look for this group, thanks to whoever started it! So I'm in for FNP, woohoo! And also waitlisted at Vanderbilt. But I'm from New England, so I'm thinking BC is gonna be it for me! Congratulations to everyone who got in!! Is anyone still debating on programs? I need patho online too, but I'd like one I can start now, anyone know of any? The soonest I've found so far starts in late March. I just hate to waste this time, when I know it's going to get busier as it gets closer. I live about 45-60 min from BC (just over the Massachusetts border in RI), but looking at the schedule I think I'll be moving closer. Some schools do one long on-campus day, but it looks like it's multiple days. I don't want to add the stress of a commute to this program. And I've been living and working in the suburbs around Boston for years so I feel pretty comfortable up there. It's just too expensive! :-/ I might have to consider a roommate, but I've been living alone for 10+ years and I have a cat I can't leave behind :-) So excited! Seems like the waiting took forever, but I think time is going to start to fly! I couldn't find the Facebook group either, it only brings up the group with the same name, but 2016. I hope you feel better Mickey!

Just heard from the school I thought was going to be last (they said mid to late February). Now Vanderbilt is my last holdout. Come on Vandy!!!! I hate waiting. :-)

No go for me too, ah well. Good luck to everyone!

Hey alexandra112, read a few answers before your question, looks like the answers are yes and yes :-)

I appreciate your taking the time to answer honestly. Thank you.

Hi there, I've applied and visited the school, but I'm still trying to get a feel for students' satisfaction with University of Southern Maine's Options Program. Any past or current students have any insight? General USM reviews don't seem great, but I liked the school when I was there so I'm just trying to get a better idea. All the basic questions- thoughts on the professors, schedule, workload, overall feel? How is the staff (nursing program, financial aid, etc)? Do you feel supported? How's parking? How is the 'cohort feel' there? Thanks for any light you can shed for me!!

I got it too. But I was under the impression that they didn't interview for all specialties. Anyone know? Maybe I was mistaken. This email sounds like they do. Hmmmm...

Oh man...lol. At least you'll have one arm and one leg left if you get in. It'll make it harder, but if any of us make it in we'll help you And at least you only had one school, I needed transcripts from 4! Maybe it's all supposed to be stressful, so we're more relieved if we get in? Hope your stuff gets there!

Hey Bostons, Are you from the east coast or Washington? I'm from New England and just wondering how the transition to Nashville was for you? And obviously every cohort is different, but how close are you with yours? Do people socialize, get together for study groups, etc? Oh, one more...lol Are there any "worry more about this class/book/skill and less about this other" tips you can give us? Thanks so much!

DoulaMe - thanks! Exactly what I thought. But thanks for the heads up on September and the "crash course in not being a complete moron"...lol I appreciate the information, it's invaluable from someone in the program. Good luck balancing and thanks for taking time for us :-)

So I just wrapped up my application over the weekend. Phew. And all letters of recommendation are in! I got lucky there. My GRE Quant score wasn't so great either. At first I was pretty distressed, but my last math class was 25 yrs ago! I can use math when I need it, but do I remember all of the quirks of square roots or properties of triangles? I just don't. I did kill the Verbal though, maybe they'll even out. (I know, doesn't work like that). I know I'm still a good candidate, I hope they'll see it too. For the current students, how do your days look? I know it's going to be intense, but are you booked all day every day? Is there enough study time? Any 'focus on this not that' tips you can give those of us who may follow you? And hey, congrats! And now the waiting begins.... Good luck!

This thread is too short, I need answers!....lol Unfortunately I don't have the answers you seek though, sorry. I went to an info session just before the start of school this year. Is everyone done? Almost? So nerve-wracking. And even when this is done and it's all submitted, it's just the start of the waiting period. And when that ends, the hard work hasn't even begun! But so exciting :-) I'm currently mired in my essay. Most of the rest is done, though I'll have to revamp my resume. Good luck to all!

Hi all, I was wondering if anyone had any insight into online options for these classes? I have the 'accepted course' list from UConn, but I'm having trouble evaluating the options against each other. Some are set schedules (like semesters), some are 'group work' which I'm not hearing great things about, etc. I'm just a little overwhelmed trying to decide. I know you all probably understand that....lol WHY are the prerequisites for everything so different?! So, if anyone has any suggestions for where they took those classes where they could maybe start any time, had more individual participation online (assignments, discussion boards, etc) and was a decent class, I would REALLY appreciate the insight. I'll keep looking, just feel like I'm going in circles.... ahhh! :-) Thanks!