IMAFoodi

Yes, some of my classmates are able to hold a CNA position during the weekend, but it's may be a challenge. The reason because this program is demanding of your time, though not difficult. I would not advise anyone to work while attending the program but if you're great at managing time and is a quicker learner, go for it! This level of difficulty in this program is not hard, but they amount of work is too much! Literally, you do not have a life for 16 months because you are bounded by readings, class, and clinical. Although this sounds intimidating, but it's not once you get a hold of things. And so, if you do plan on working while attending this program, get a feel of your class schedule and then decide if you want to work. I hope this helps and not sound discouraging. I assume you will be starting in the Fall 2016 Worcester Campus, potentially?

Apologize for the late reply! In terms of loans, I was fortunate that my parents helped me out with that. I was able to take out a parent plus loan, however, private loans are an alternative options. Even within the private loan options, different loan servicer(s) have different interest rates and so you might want to investigate. With doing a parent plus loan, you are capped at $32,000 for two semesters (fall and spring) and so you will need to make two loans request overall. Initially, it seems like you can borrow as much as possible, but in reality the institution limits the amount of money that you are allowed to burrow. (Fall & Spring) = 1st request and (Summer & Fall) = 2nd request. My advice is that you should get the financial work done as soon as possible because it'll make life easy [the process is not too slow] and make sure you contact Nathan because he's much better than the other one (if in the Worcester campus). Also, make sure you follow up with the residential office you plan on living on campus. They can lose your residential application and then put you at an expensive apt, which is not worth it. Let me warn you ahead of time, it's in your best interest to take initiative and follow up with everything on your own because the communication and understanding is limited and it's pretty evident once you settle on campus. So yeah, if you have any more questions, let me know and I'll try to respond back within an appropriate timeframe.

Sorry for the late reply. I am have been busy with studying for one of my finals. Although different schools have different curriculums, but the amount of stress and pain that nursing students go through are very similar. Be mindful that the work load and pace is very quick, however, the level of difficult in the content is not challenging. Some days you may have 3 chapters of reading condensed into a lecture, which can be very overwhelming and have the exam the following days. My program generally include 5-6 chapters per exam, but can vary between courses. Just make sure to stay on schedule with the readings + other homework and be prepared to work [extremely] hard because it's more than what one anticipates (at least for me). Remember to enjoy the process of learning the materials and try not to be obsessive about your grades. The more one knows/understands; the higher grade one can earn. By the way, a passing grade in nursing is 78-80 (I think for most schools). Yeah, I agree. My admission counselor was very helpful and phenomenal; I think her name was Rebecca (she's awesome!). The school that I chose to attend ultimately was MCPHS, out in Worcester. Oh by the way, be aware that nursing schools are 3-4 hours each and maybe daily depending on the course. It's a struggle at first, but after one semester you will get used to it. So good luck with the process and your new journey to become a RN student!

Hey Soph, Unfortunately, I did not choose to join NEU's BSN program, but I can answer some questions regarding to the application process. What about the online formate worries you? Just make sure you get your recommendations uploaded in time. That was the only problem I encountered during the process. I do not think this program is difficult to get accepted into. As long as you have a cumm GPA and pre-req above 3. Feel free to ask more questions if you have them regarding the process.

R3cole, When I applied to the program, I was never asked for additional grades nor an interview. However, I think the reason why the school wanted to look at other grades is because they want to see how well-rounded of an candidate you are. It seems like they may be interested in having you as a student, otherwise why bother to gather additional information about you. To answer your second question, I think as long as your pre-requisite grades are above 3.0 (B) cumulatively, then you should be fine. Honestly, I did not think this program was that difficult to get accepted into. My candidate profile when I applied was 3.05 (BIO major cumulative GPA) and 3.1 (pre-requisite GPA). I applied to other more competitive program, such as NYU and BC, and got accepted. Though I did not have a strong academic background, but I think my essay and my recommendation letters did play a huge factor in my acceptance. My advice is to write a very personal and genuine essay [why nursing?] because it could really help make a [positive] decision to your application file. I hope this helps and let me know if you have anymore questions. Wish you the best of luck! CiaMai, I apologize for the late response. I hope everything ended well with your journey at MCPHS. I was inundated with papers and the preparation for HESI. I am glad to say NO remediation for any class! The HESI exams do not seem that bad. I feel like as long as you practice answering the HESI practice questions over a period of time, then you should be fine. Oh by the way, I am from the Worcester campus and I am excited for clinical training for this upcoming semester. Any advice(s)? Lastly, good luck on your NCLEX! IAMFoodi

Tech RN, To answer your question, my best advice is to use your essay as a platform for the admission counselors to get to know you and what inspires you to become a nurse and how the program at MCPHS can help you reach that goal. Most importantly, be honest and be yourself when you write your essay. I must say this, it is not hard to get into the nursing program at MCPHS. I do not feel that this program only want students with high academic profiles, but rather an individual with a strong passion to become a nurse and how they will work hard to achieve that dream. Let me warn you this, I am currently a N-1 student (first semester) and this program is physically and emotionally exhausting. Maybe CiaMai can chip in on this... The work is not difficult, but there is a lot to be done in a short period of time. Every week, I practically have 2-3 quizzes and maybe papers due. The professors that I currently have are understanding and nice for the most part, however, they can get nasty at times. First semester of MCPHS's nursing program is a lot of studying and then like CiaMai mentioned, you start the first 2 weeks of the semester with intensive learning and then clinical training. Beware of this final exam called HESI. I will be taking that soon and it's worth 25% of your total grade, and I've heard that it's challenging and random. You may be tested on things that you may or may have not learned. Some nursing program do not factor that into student's grades, but rather use that as a practice and indicator for students to know their mastery level of the materials. I wish you the best of luck in the process and feel free to ask and more questions. I will be gladly to offer my help. My advice is to learn as much about the programs that you look into because some of the nursing programs can be stupid in their way of structuring the classes. You can be sitting in classes for more than 5-6 hours daily, which can cause stage one pressure ulcers (joking!). Again, good luck!

Tiff, Although I did not chose to enroll at Duquesne, but I am familiar with the application process. Congrtz on completing your application! The review process, for me, took about 2-3 weeks. I called the office of SON (school of nursing) and they informed my decision. I do not think Duquesne was hard to get into because when I applied, I was on the borderline of 3.0 (Bio major). Good luck and be sure to apply to more than one nursing program! Hope this helps.

Personally, I chose filling out MCP's own application because it took less things to fill out compared to NursingCAS. In addition, it takes more time for the application to be reviewed if one applies through NursingCAS because of the verification process, which takes about 2 weeks at least and then shipped over to MCP admission office. Conversely, MCP's own application take about 3 weeks for me, at least, to be reviewed and with a decision. Overall, it's up to you; oh btw, NursingCAS has a $30 fee, while MCP's own application does not. Also, last thing, it's not harding getting accepted into MCP's BSN program. Good luck!

CiaMai, How did you finance your studies at MCP? Secondly, what is this HESI exam?

Thanks for the info. Also, how long are classes a day? What's a typical day like? Are there writing assignments, such as long papers or lab write ups?

CiaMai, How are the exams formatted? Multiple choice or short answers? I heard some students do CNA as part-time, while studying, would you advise that? If so, at what point should students do that? When should nursing student start preparing for the NCLEX? Which book should they use? How is the "real time" class teaching like? Do people actually learn?

Rmp, As far as I know from conversing with one of the admission counselors, each cohort will be between 60-70 students. I am not sure about the acceptance rate, but as long as you have above a 3.0 GPA, you should have a good chance. In terms of notification time and method, I received my acceptance within 8-10 days after the day of submitting my application and I was notified through mail. By the way, if accepted into the program, you may also received a $6k scholarship. Best of luck, hope you hear great news!

Wow, congratulation on your acceptance to NEU's ABSN program. It's interesting that you are planning to choose NEU because I felt like the school seem disorganized (imagine what the program would be like). I, too, also applied and got accepted into the program, but because the whole admission process seems disorganized; thus, I kindly declined the offer. And it's unfortunate that you got waitlisted... but hopefully you can get in soon.

CiaMia, the information that you provided is really helpful! What advice do you have for surviving N1? Studying wise, if you're a visual learner? Do people form study group? How to bear with the stress? How helpful are the professors and accessible are they?

Congratulations! I am also considering to attend MCP. I feel like it is difficult to get a holistic perspective/insight about MCP's nursing curriculum, since most whom have made postings about the program viewed it pessimistically. Have you received your financial package yet?