Simmons ABSN Fall 2017

[crowland1113]

Hi! Was anyone else on here accepted for the accelerated nursing program at Simmons, beginning in Fall 2017? Anyone attending the accepted students day on 4/14? I was accepted, and am trying to decide between Simmons and UMass Amherst. It turns out that Simmons would end up being cheaper for me because my mom lives near Boston, so I would live with her rent free and have a much lower cost of living than if I were to live in Springfield and go to UMass Amherst (the ABSN program at UMass Amherst is now in Springfield).

I would love to speak to others planning to enroll at Simmons, or people who have gone through the program!

[bumblebee4]

Hi @Longwayup - what are your thoughts on the quality of professors at Simmons? Ease of classes? Clinical locations? Any input on your experience would be extremely helpful!

[longwayup]

Hi there,

I don't know if "Easy" nursing school is a thing or indeed a thing you would want :) Simmons is very rigorous, they take their reputation VERY seriously and they are particularly cautious about producing calibre nurses- for example we are tested on our med calculation every semster and if you don't get a 90 you can't do clinical. So it's definitely not a school for anyone who wants to take it easy!

The clinical placements are AWESOME, I think that is probably what, if anything, sets Simmons apart- all of our clinical instructors are really incredible and you get to be in the best facilities, 99% of the time you are in the Longwood Elite.

The only negative I can give you about Simmons is that I don't find the administrative end of things are on point- basically be prepeared to figure out a lot of stuff on your own, especially in your first semester. Your best bet will be upperclass women because there will a lot thrown at you that you are just supposed to know. There are always resources: free tutoring etc but you have to figure out where to go and what to do to get the help you need. I don't know if that is just every nursing school because I can only speak to the one I attend, but if you're independent and knwo how to advocate for yourself you will be fine.

It drove me crazy in the first term, now I look at it as an important life lesson because as a nurse, you'll do a lot of thinking of the fly, advocating for your patients and learn to fidn resources.

The few friends I have in the ABSN program found it very demanding- you basically have to give up everything else for 16 months. I know a few who had families and tried but ended up transferring to the 2 year because it was impossible to keep up. Same with the DE progarm, some of my friends in DE have classes 7-10pm!

I was very intested in MGH because I felt they had slightly more global focus and were giving larger scholarships. The only reason I didn't end up going that route is I had to work and just could NOT do accelerated format and Simmons was the only school with a 2 year program. So honestly my choice was more practicality. I'm happy at Simmons but I think you're not going to go wrong with either. So look at things like class size ( Simmons is 40 nax) and clinical ratio size ( we are 1:6) and of course cost! Don't have debt if you can avoid it.

I hope that helps!

[longwayup]

One more thing! Definitely get in touch with admissions and ask to visit Simmons, sit in on a nursing class and speak to some students!