Simmons direct entry NP 2011

mer287 · Apr 3, 2011

Hi Cory!

I was just accepted to the program also. I am definitely going to attend, and I'm really excited! I'm a little worried about moving to Boston also (I live in Connecticut) without really knowing anyone in the area. From what I've seen on my short stays in Boston, it's a great city. I hope you decide to attend! I'd love to know who's attending and get to know some people before starting the program. Good luck with your decision!

Sincerely,

Meredith

corykatt · Apr 3, 2011

Hi Meredith, good to hear from you! I've almost certainly decided that I'm doing it, its too good an opportunity to pass up. What part of CT are you in? I went to CT college in New London. I would also love to get a group together before classes start to talk about stuff, especially like housing! I wonder if the school would give us an email list if we asked, I suppose it never hurts to ask!

Cory

mer287 · Apr 3, 2011

Hi again! It is a really good opportunity, I agree. Keep me updated though about your decision! I was wondering the same thing about whether the school would give us a list to contact each other--it would be so helpful! I'm from the Farmington Valley, near Hartford. I'm trying to figure out housing too, since I don't think I want to live on campus. I checked "Yes" on the form where it asked if you wanted info about housing, just to keep my options open, plus I hoped maybe they would send info about off-campus housing. It's coming up so fast!!

corykatt · Apr 3, 2011

OMG seriously it is coming up so fast! You're not very far from where my parents live, in South Hadley MA, just up from Springfield not far over the border. Maybe when I get there in June we can carpool into Boston to look for housing and such before the programs begin. Are you starting in July or do you have prereqs to finish there earlier? I just have the developmental one to do online (which makes me mad, cuz I took a challenge exam and my undergrad degree is in psych, but none of those things count :-p at least it'll be easy for me!) I don't remember anything asking about housing, was that on the application? If so, I probably checked yes too, it was just so many applications ago! I am so happy to stop filling out applications too! Sorry I kinda wrote a book there, I get rambly sometimes. Anyways, I'm like 95% sure I'm doing it at this point, I'm certainly going to send in my deposit and I dont really see a better option for me.

Cory

mer287 · Apr 4, 2011

Hi! I'm at work so I'll have to write fast--I'm in the same boat as you with Dev. Psych! Only one left to do even though I was a psych major. So glad it's online! I am planning to go look for housing when I go to Boston April 14, I'll let you know what I find out. I've been looking online but it's so hard to tell if the places are nice or not with tiny photos. I was hoping to move to Boston a month-ish before the program starts. Housing is so confusing...I think it would be cool to live with like a group of people, like I was looking at apts with 4 beds 2 baths, but how can anyone coordinate that? I better get back to work before someone sees me typing this, haha! Stay in touch!

allnurses Guide · Apr 4, 2011

I am a DE NP student at Simmons now, so take this with a grain of salt.

Simmons is a well respected program, especially in Boston area hospitals. I chose Simmons over other programs due to the feedback I heard about how strong Simmons students were in clinical situations.

Don't hesitate about moving to Boston. We have quite a few transplants in our cohort and (I think) all are pretty happy. You will be spending a lot of time with your classmates, and you will make friends fast. Our cohort is very social, both in small groups (you get close to four or five others each clinical rotation) or as a whole class.

I'd be happy to give my two cents on any questions you have about the city or the program.

corykatt · Apr 4, 2011

Thanks for replying! That is very good to know, for some reason from the first line (which is the only one appearing in the email with the link to read it) I somehow got the impression is was going to be negative towards Simmons, so I was extra super happy to hear how much you like the program! I have heard from several people about how great the clinicals are and I think that is very important. I have 100% decided that I am doing it, thanks again for the feedback. Oh, also, how did you find housing? Does Simmons do anything to help students out? I like the idea of renting a place with other students in the cohort, but it seems like that might be hard to do ahead of time.

Thanks!

Cory

corykatt · Apr 4, 2011

Hey, I'm gonna try and start like a facebook group or something, I asked the admissions person to forward my email to accepted students and she did, so now I'm getting emails from other people! I agree it'd be pretty hard to coordinate finding housing unless we were all in Boston at the same time to look at it and talk about it and such. Not really sure how it would work, I guess I'm not going to worry about it too much until I move to my parents place in early June, then hit the housing market! I've decided I'm in for sure, btw, super excited

allnurses Guide · Apr 4, 2011

Simmons is pricey compared to some other programs out there, but the money really goes into having a lot of clinical hours every semester, something most programs skimp on. You will feel confident on the floor and with patients.

Housing: As far as I know, Simmons doesn't help much with housing. Living with classmates might be a great thing or a stressful thing, depending on your personality type. A number of people from my cohort are moving in together this semester though. Craigslist is the ideal way to find an apt right now (from what I hear), but you'll want some local input on exactly where the place is located (there are few "bad" neighborhoods in Boston, but there are a number of "seedy" areas of neighborhoods).

If you have questions about neighborhoods or best places to live with or without a car, I can give my two cents. We have a great public transportation system here, and Simmons is close to bus and subway routes. Simmons also offers semester parking pass for commuters as well as pay-as-you-go parking for a discounted rate.

Classmates: The cohort a year above me has a FB group and they use and love it, my cohort has one but we done use it much (though we do post social events on FB from time to time). It may be a great way to get to know some folks before classes start. Simmons will hold (traditionally) an orientation day where you can meet your classmates plus the DIX students that you will be doing the first year and a half with. There is such a diverse group of people (education, age, gender, background , etc) in each classes, you are sure to find someone you get along well with!

Shout if you have any more questions.

corykatt · Apr 4, 2011

@Meredith, I'm kinda losing track of who I said what to :-p but I started a yahoo group for discussion for everyone: SimmonsNP2014 is the name just look for it I find yahoo groups generally easy to use and send emails on, but if anyone wants to start a group on another site like facebook, go for it! Oh, you have to fill out a quick form to be approved for the group, just write Simmons or something in the field (otherwise a bunch of spammers will join the group and, well, spam).

@DE2013 - Thanks for all of the advice! It is so nice of you to take the time out to help us out. I would definitely love advice about the best places to live without a car, as I would prefer not to get one while I'm out there.

Thanks!

RyRdRn · Apr 7, 2011

Hello,

I too was accepted to Simmons... and MGH DE program. I've heard so many wonderful things about each program, that I'm really twisted about which program I should choose. Can you tell me why you chose Simmons?

Also, I live in Providence and I plan on commuting to Boston regardless of which program I choose. As I noticed you were asking several questions about housing. The prices in Providence are much cheaper, but you do have to factor in the commute.

Thanks!!