Simmons Direct Entry MSN Info Session - Anyone go?

allnurses Guide · Dec 9, 2011

Would be happy to answer questions if you have any...

Pianoman223 · Dec 9, 2011

What was the attendance like?

Did they give any idea as to how many applicants there were last year, and how many seats were accepted?

Also, did anyone mention the organic chemistry requirement (which no other program seems to really have)?

allnurses Guide · Dec 9, 2011

Sorry, should have elaborated. I did not attend the meeting, but I am a 2nd year DE/FNP student at Simmons.

I am not sure how many applicants they had last year, I know two years ago we were told there were over 500 applicants for our cohort (though I can't vouch for the numbers, just what was mentioned in orientation).

As far as the Orgo requirement, I have no idea. You may be able to talk to admissions about how strict that is. That being said, I don't know of anyone in my cohort that didn't take it.

Pianoman223 · Dec 9, 2011

How've you liked the program so far? What's the biggest negative about it? What's your favorite part of it?

I know that after you receive the RN, you are able to work as well as take classes. Are you doing this, and are many of your peers?

Thanks so much for your offer to answer questions!

wpolorocker · Feb 3, 2012

Pianoman,

I know this is a really late response, but I talked to someone in the admissions office about the organic chemistry requirement. They said 2 semesters of general chemistry would cover it, if that's what you took.

KN4321 · Feb 24, 2012

de 2013,

How do you like the program? Is it really tough? Are the teachers helpful? Do they give out many scholarships?

Thanks!

allnurses Guide · Feb 27, 2012

de 2013,
How do you like the program? Is it really tough? Are the teachers helpful? Do they give out many scholarships?
Thanks!

I feel very grateful for the quality education I have received thus far: the academic and clinical aspects of the program are top notch. Through the pre-licensure section of the program, I heard feedback from nearly every clinical site that our group was one of the best prepared student groups of have rotated through. That's a nice complement given the vast number of students these academic-area hospitals see. More importantly, I have always felt prepared and confident, and you can't really ask for more than that.

The academic aspect of this program is tough. It is an accelerated program and there is a lot of information to cover in three years. Unless you currently work in healthcare, you need to learn a whole new language as well as all the theory and practical aspects of nursing in a year-and-a-half. You will be in class one to three days a week (and clinic one to three days), but most of your learning takes place outside the classroom. You will be reading a lot. My one big piece of advice is: don't expect the professors to teach you everything. There isn't enough time and you will have to learn on your own as you go to pass the exams. The good side of that is that the professors are very helpful and Simmons DE program has a 100% NCLEX pass rate for the past 4 years or so.

Scholarships are available, and there is a big book of them in the financial aid office. You have to do the work form them on your own as far as I know. Most of the people I know pay the majority of the tuition and living expenses from the Stafford loans and GradPLUS loans from the government.

There are some downsides to the program too, but they are largely administrative: poor communication being the biggest culprit. The other interesting note is that for the 3-year DE program, most don't graduate in 3-years. This can be either a big plus or a minus.

Any other questions, feel free to ask.