Simmons College versus University of Cincinnati FNP Program

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Specializes in ICU, Allergy/Asthma, and Primary Care.

I am applying to both programs, but i just wanted some feedback from anyone who has applied or is attending either of these programs.

I really love that Simmons College has actual classes and that it is very interactive. My only concern is that this will conflict with my work schedule. I work Tuesday through Friday 8-5 and would like to keep my same schedule the first year. I understand that come clinical time I will most likely have to cut back to three days a week. My advisor has told me that I can take night classes but I am afraid that as the program goes on there may be classes during my work schedule. I just wanted to know if anyone has had any experience with this, and how you are enjoying the online program.

University of Cincinnati is more asynchronous and more affordable. $34,000 versus $58,000. I have had a good experience with the advisor thus far but wanted to hear back from anyone who is attending the program and their actual opinions on it.

Any feedback on either program would be much appreciated!

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

The Simmons program is brand new so there aren't any grads to give feedback. I can say that the B&M program at Simmons is one of the most reputable in Boston, one of the elite major academic medical areas in the world.

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Specializes in ICU, Allergy/Asthma, and Primary Care.

BostonFNP- Did you attend Simmons College FNP on campus? How is the work load of the MSN FNP program? Is it manageable to work Tuesday through Friday 8-5 and go to school or do you think I need to cut back to 3 days a week once the program starts? I was planning on spending all day Sunday and Monday on school and few hours a day during the week. Is that something that sounds reasonable or do you think in order to be successful in the program I need to significantly cut back at work?

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.
BostonFNP- Did you attend Simmons College FNP on campus? How is the work load of the MSN FNP program? Is it manageable to work Tuesday through Friday 8-5 and go to school or do you think I need to cut back to 3 days a week once the program starts? I was planning on spending all day Sunday and Monday on school and few hours a day during the week. Is that something that sounds reasonable or do you think in order to be successful in the program I need to significantly cut back at work?

Are you planning in part-time or full-time program? I will make a few assumptions about what the online curriculum will look like.

Assuming part-time, you will likely be fine to work until your final clinical year. You should be able to handle class work plus work for the first year. Be prepared to work and study hard but you can be flexible with that and still work.

Once you hit the last three semesters it will become much more difficult to work a Tuesday-Thursday 8-5 schedule. Your schedule with preceptorships will become much less flexible unless you are able to find weekend preceptorships.

By your final semester you will have your class work plus 24-30hours/wk of clinic/ward preceptorship. Hard to do that plus work 3 12s. Most cut down to per diem.

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I am apart of the first online cohort @ Simmons. It has been a great experience so far with wonderful support all the way around.

I am a single mother to a 3 and 7 year old. I have to work full time....3 12's. I recently moved to a new state and lack any type of support. I can not tell you how time consuming this program is. There is not a day that I am not studying. It is a huge commitment you want and DO make...despite the sacrifices you and your loved ones have to make.

I am sure all programs are challenging. I believe its all about what the person truly wants. I can only image how things will be once clinicals begin. The one thing I can say about Simmons is the dedicated support they provide to their students. I think this alone speaks tremendously. Just talking to other schools admin reps, there was a distinct difference I felt between several schools. Definitely talk and check around what feels best for you!

Good luck!

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Specializes in Home Health, Podiatry, Neurology, Case Mgmt.

Thanks for your input Cammack! =) It's always helpful to hear from current students!

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Specializes in ICU, Allergy/Asthma, and Primary Care.

I really appreciate everyone's feedback! One of the things I like about the program is how interactive it is. I feel like I'll have guidance through the program. Can I ask, how are the interactive classes? Do you have flexibility of class time. I would need to do classes after work or on my days off. How is the work load on papers/research/reading/tests/discussion boards? I know that a lot of programs require a lot of papers and discussion boards. What is a typical week like with classes/studying/assignments?

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Right now I am taking research, health promotion and adv patho.

Research is quizzes and analyzing specific portions of research articles through written papers. Class is open discussion forum guided by the professor. Quizzes and that weeks chapters are reviewed and discussed.

Health promotion is written papers, discussion board and presentations weekly. Class reviews that weeks info and we discuss things in an open forum. There is a continuous project based on a behavioral change. An overview paper is due at the end. You present and update weekly.

Adv patho is rough. Each week is a new system. There is a ton of reading! Case assignments each week that are presented. A quiz and test weekly.

Each class may slightly differ on the way things are presented such as case studies based on teacher preference. Every class is set up the same. Class times are scheduled. There is pretty much an option for each day of the week. Definitely workable around your schedule. Each class you use adobe meet by logging in on computer, using webcam and calling in.

Simmons offers interactive webinars that demonstrate everything.

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Specializes in Home Health, Podiatry, Neurology, Case Mgmt.
Right now I am taking research, health promotion and adv patho.

Research is quizzes and analyzing specific portions of research articles through written papers. Class is open discussion forum guided by the professor. Quizzes and that weeks chapters are reviewed and discussed.

Health promotion is written papers, discussion board and presentations weekly. Class reviews that weeks info and we discuss things in an open forum. There is a continuous project based on a behavioral change. An overview paper is due at the end. You present and update weekly.

Adv patho is rough. Each week is a new system. There is a ton of reading! Case assignments each week that are presented. A quiz and test weekly.

Each class may slightly differ on the way things are presented such as case studies based on teacher preference. Every class is set up the same. Class times are scheduled. There is pretty much an option for each day of the week. Definitely workable around your schedule. Each class you use adobe meet by logging in on computer, using webcam and calling in.

Simmons offers interactive webinars that demonstrate everything.

I was just accepted for the March cohort at Simmons! Super excited!

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Specializes in ICU, Allergy/Asthma, and Primary Care.

Wow! Are you full time or part time? I'm guessing you probably put in 30-40 hours a week. Would you say that's accurate? It sounds like I may need to cut back to 3 days a week ( I work 8-5 ) versus 4 days a week. What do you think? Do you feel like the program is difficult but manageable and user friendly or do you feel like you're drowning in school work and work life? I would much rather cut back on work to focus more on my studies.

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Specializes in ICU, Allergy/Asthma, and Primary Care.

Congrats Tasha! I am working on my application for March! Maybe we will be in the same cohort:) I will probably have my application done in 2-3 weeks. Do you think they will still have seats available for March?

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Full time. Even after work, there are some nights I am up until midnight studying or working on assignments. Honestly, I feel like this has become my entire life. If I have down time at work; I am reading. On my days off, this is all I am doing with any household chores or errands in between. 30-40hrs is definitely accurate, but again, its what you put into it. You can definitely see those students who are not putting as much time in.

I think it also helps if you have lots of support. Its just me and my girls. I have thought about relocating to be closer to family so I can lean on them for help with things.

The program itself is user friendly. Its manageable, you just have to make sacrifices.

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