Simmons College versus University of Cincinnati FNP Program

Nursing Students NP Students

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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!

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

Thanks for post this! I really need to at least try to work for as long as possible. Hubby only gets a small disability check and it's not enough for us to live off of...at the same time I know if I go PRN somewhere or part time, I may be able to get some assistance like food stamps at least...sigh...I've been doing school and work for 3 yrs already (off and on) and working full time, but never had the synchronous course work before. If there are some late evening classes online, i can do that then, I do have down time at work I can read on my lunch and breaks, and I am off every Sat and Sunday. I know when clinical starts I can't work full time, that's a give-in, just sort of hoping I can make it work the first two terms at least so i can sock away a bit of money to live off of the last three terms. I will get small stipend each month i'm in class from the VA but looking at our budget it's still not enough (unless i were to take out full student loans on top of the GI bill) to live on...

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Everything will be ok. Take loans. There is always the option for loan forgiveness. Some private employers pitch in a little....just need to negotiate. I'm 100% loans, plus some. Even with my one semester of gi bill. I'm thinking national guard or something too. Who knows. But it's worth it for me.

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

Thanks! Yeah I talked to hubby last night and he told me to take as much financial aid as possible along with the GI bill...I believe I'll have enough of the GI bill to pay 90% of school, if I take loans out then sock away as much of the refunds as possible, when I hit clinical time I can live off that money and pay my bills through those terms. If I get enough in loans on top of GI bill to live frugily, he wants me to just quit my full time job when I start in March, and just pick up a PRN nursing home or home health for evenings/weekend when I have the time to work. There is also a respite company here in town, and I can make my own hours with the families if need be as well. They are only paid once a month for the previous months work, but that may be an option as well. =) It will work somehow. I dont' believe God would dangle school in my face, but not provide for my needs. So things will work out! =)

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

Yes I think you will be fine...applications aren't due for priority deadline till the end of Jan I think. I just applied super early because I'm anal like that LOL...and I knew I couldn't start for Jan anyway! You should be just fine!

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so how often do you have to meet weekly for the classroom setting? I was told it was only once a week, from the admissions rep. I am quite nervous about starting full time.

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Specializes in Home Health, Podiatry, Neurology, Case Mgmt.
so how often do you have to meet weekly for the classroom setting? I was told it was only once a week from the admissions rep. I am quite nervous about starting full time.[/quote']

Once per week per class. Full time is 3 classes the first term.

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

I am working on my essay and I am experiencing major writer's block!:( It has been 5 years since I have written any sort of essay or paper. I am getting very nervous because I know that Grad School will have a lot of research and papers :( I know why I want to be an FNP but formulating it into a paper is hard. What do you guys do to help writer's block?! Any tips would be great. Sorry I know this is such a mundane and silly question. I am just a little rusty!:nailbiting:

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Specializes in Home Health, Podiatry, Neurology, Case Mgmt.
I am working on my essay and I am experiencing major writer's block!:( It has been 5 years since I have written any sort of essay or paper. I am getting very nervous because I know that Grad School will have a lot of research and papers :( I know why I want to be an FNP but formulating it into a paper is hard. What do you guys do to help writer's block?! Any tips would be great. Sorry I know this is such a mundane and silly question. I am just a little rusty!:nailbiting:

First off relax a little and don't try so hard...=) Second I use the Who, What, When, Where and Why questions when I write something about myself. Who am I? What do I currently do (skills, experiances in different roles/work setting), what do I want to do in the future with an advanced degree?, When can I complete this (full time/part time), Where do i want to attend school, where do i want to be when I finish school, Why did I choose this path, why now, why is this important to me...these questions help me start my statements and then it just starts flowing from there. =)

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How do you like Simmons so far? I was accepted to UC and Simmons and I am trying to make a final decision. Do you have any advice pertaining to simmons?

Thank you

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Specializes in Home Health, Podiatry, Neurology, Case Mgmt.
How do you like Simmons so far? I was accepted to UC and Simmons and I am trying to make a final decision. Do you have any advice pertaining to simmons?

Thank you

I'm loving Simmons so far! The prerecorded lectures, slide shows, and activities online are great. The live classes are fun and engaging. I'm full time and Work 3 12s a week. I'm enjoying not having to do blackboard discussion postings, and paper writing every week like I Dodd in my BSN. the online setup is amazing with Simmons!

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I have applied to Simmons September cohort and would love to hear how it is going at Simmons. Are the classes still doable while working? My major concern is the cost of tuition. Any suggestions? Thanks so much for posting!

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Hello, im trying to decide between chamberlin and simmons. Does anybody know if simmons have fnp program, or do the just offer msn without specialty? Thanks

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