Simmons Direct Entry 2020

Nursing Students School Programs

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Hey guys! Just thought we would keep each other updated on our application process! I recieved an email this morning saying my application is under review (i applied nov 15) and was wondering what everyone else has heard! Best of luck to everyone!

Specializes in Direct Entry FNP Student.

I’ve enjoyed the program so far. Some of those in my cohort have already left for different reasons (poor grades, unhappy). Majority of the professors are great. There was only one I didn’t like. The associate dean and head of the program have been phenomenal and so supportive. They want nothing more than to see everyone succeed. I began communicating with them both back in May before I started. They ensured everything was ready to go when I arrived. They even worked with me to find online NP classes I could take this semester even though I’m not to that part of the program yet.

As for clinicals, I had an amazing experience. Clinicals begins in October and lasts 6 weeks. It is one day per week for 8 hours. You fill out a survey giving the clinical coordinator information about yourself and where you live so she can get you the best placement. My clinical instructor was amazing! I wish I could have her for every clinical.

I live in Brighton. My rent isn’t horrible. I couldn’t afford to live right by the school though. My commute takes about 20 min each morning on the bus. The train is 45min and it’s a 12min drive. I just didn’t buy a parking pass and was perfectly happy commuting on the bus. There were two other nursing students who took the same bus as me each morning. I will be looking for a roommate in the fall if you decide to attend! I have an amazing and brand new condo!!! I did use a realtor to find a place.

Class wise first semester was two days per week. One day was 8-3 and the other was 8-12. Patho will be offered online over the summer, and I highly recommend taking it. The online course is much easier. It will also significantly lighten your course load. Patho is probably the most time consuming and difficult course you take the first semester.

You are allowed to work more than one shift during the NP portion. It will just depend on your course schedule.

As far as admissions, I head mid to late January. You should be hearing soon!

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Your response was amazing thank you! I have family in Boston and will probably stay with them for a bit until I figure everything out!! I wouldn't mind not living directly in the city, especially if it's a difference of thousands of dollars. So your schedule was 2 days classroom and 1 day clinicals? Did you work at all? I work as a CNA right now and am considering working during school to get my foot in the door for RN jobs later. But I might try and get a feel for classes first before adding a job. Do you mind sharing your stats (GPA, work/volunteer experience, certifications etc) for acceptance? Were you accepted into other programs? Why did you ultimately choose Simmons?

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Specializes in Direct Entry FNP Student.

Yes. 2 days of class and one day clinical. You will have a day of Lab In September before clinical starts. I would say you could easily work this first semester, but you will have three days of clinical and one day of class in the following semesters, which would make it more difficult to work. I honestly am not willing to try working at this point.

3.2 undergrad GPA. 3.6 graduate GPA. 3 years work as a clinical research coordinator. 1 funded grant as the PI. 5 first author publications. 1 symposium presentation. Around 10 poster presentations. 1 book chapter. I’m PCIT, CARE and TCIT trained. No volunteer things after graduating undergrad. Honestly, I don’t think I included anything undergrad wise on my application or CV.

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Specializes in Direct Entry FNP Student.

I was accepted to three other programs. I chose Simmons because of the clinical opportunity. It was also the first school I heard from.

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Hmm maybe I would only do one 8 hour shift/week. Wow your application is amazing! What were your degrees? I only have a B.S in Biology

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@FutureFNP-DNP do you know if there are any online classes you have to take? I am not too crazy about online courses but will take them when I have to.

What are your thoughts about job opportunity in the future? There are a lot of threads on this forum about the US reaching a saturation of NPs in different areas of the country and that it will get worse for other areas in the future, and that it is largely due to low-quality programs admitting and graduating hundreds of new students. Simmons has a good reputation and I've heard is a quality program so I am wondering if that gives us an advantage when we graduate. Simmons' program is 126k before any scholarships/aid which is scary if it is difficult for you to find a job. This is also scary if a continuous influx of new grads is lowering wages for NPs, it might become difficult to pay off that debt. I definitely think it is that expensive because of location, their contracts with great teaching hospitals, and that they find all preceptors for you which takes away a ton of stress. I also read that if you are willing to relocate (especially to the midwest) you might have an easier time. I wish we could talk to previous students who have graduated from the program to hear about their experiences with finding jobs.

I don't even know if I will be accepted but if I am, I plan to work maybe full-time as an RN and switch to part-time student during the NP portion. While I think any RN experience can be valuable to an NP but is not necessarily needed to be one, I think it will make me a stronger job candidate in the future. There is an FNP on this forum who graduated from Simmons' direct-entry FNP program I think in 2012 who has praised the program continuously. If @BostonFNP has any more comments about the program or any insight about the future job outlook for NPs that would be great!

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@FutureFNP-DNP do you know if there are any online classes you have to take? I am not too crazy about online courses but will take them when I have to.

What are your thoughts about job opportunity in the future? There are a lot of threads on this forum about the US reaching a saturation of NPs in different areas of the country and that it will get worse for other areas in the future, and that it is largely due to low-quality programs admitting and graduating hundreds of new students. Simmons has a good reputation and I've heard is a quality program so I am wondering if that gives us an advantage when we graduate. Simmons' program is 126k before any Scholarships/aid which is scary if it is difficult for you to find a job. This is also scary if a continuous influx of new grads is lowering wages for NPs, it might become difficult to pay off that debt. I definitely think the price is due to location, their contracts with great teaching hospitals, and that they find all preceptors for you which takes away a ton of stress. I also read that if you are willing to relocate (especially to the midwest) you might have an easier time. I wish we could talk to previous students who have graduated from the program to hear about their experiences with finding jobs.

I don't even know if I will be accepted but if I am, I plan to work maybe full-time as an RN and switch to part-time student during the NP portion. While I think any RN experience can be valuable to an NP but is not necessarily needed to be one, I think it will make me a stronger job candidate in the future.

Here is one forum that talks about too many practicing NPs. I apologize for sounding like a downer, but I am just concerned about my future. I have also read different posts where new grads had offers before graduating! I think it definitely depends where you live/apply to. I would love any feedback from anyone!

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3 hours ago, Meep123 said:

@FutureFNP-DNP do you know if there are any online classes you have to take? I am not too crazy about online courses but will take them when I have to.

What are your thoughts about job opportunity in the future? There are a lot of threads on this forum about the US reaching a saturation of NPs in different areas of the country and that it will get worse for other areas in the future, and that it is largely due to low-quality programs admitting and graduating hundreds of new students. Simmons has a good reputation and I've heard is a quality program so I am wondering if that gives us an advantage when we graduate. Simmons' program is 126k before any Scholarships/aid which is scary if it is difficult for you to find a job. This is also scary if a continuous influx of new grads is lowering wages for NPs, it might become difficult to pay off that debt. I definitely think the price is due to location, their contracts with great teaching hospitals, and that they find all preceptors for you which takes away a ton of stress. I also read that if you are willing to relocate (especially to the midwest) you might have an easier time. I wish we could talk to previous students who have graduated from the program to hear about their experiences with finding jobs.

I don't even know if I will be accepted but if I am, I plan to work maybe full-time as an RN and switch to part-time student during the NP portion. While I think any RN experience can be valuable to an NP but is not necessarily needed to be one, I think it will make me a stronger job candidate in the future.

Here is one forum that talks about too many practicing NPs. I apologize for sounding like a downer, but I am just concerned about my future. I have also read different posts where new grads had offers before graduating! I think it definitely depends where you live/apply to. I would love any feedback from anyone!

Interesting points. I have also seen this topic come up a few times. I think the job market will depend on numerous factors, and espeically where one lives. It seems like everyone and their mother is going back to get there NP certification. On top of that, we have these online programs that are more interested in making $$$ and will let anyone with a pulse become a NP. It's sad where the profession is heading, just goes to show you how greedy these universities can be. No school can give you a edge, only you can give yourself an advantage and standout from the rest. Also direct entry programs, especially direct entry NP programs are not meant to be cost effective. There is no such thing as a cheap or affordable direct entry NP program. Notice how almost all direct entry programs are at private univeristies, I don't see alot or ANY state colleges offering these types of degrees. This is graduate school and so it doesn't matter what your degree is, graduate tuition always charge a arm and a leg, plus a kidney. Take everything you read with a grain of salt. Ask yourself one thing, if the field was as saturated and bad, how come it's rated as one of the best health jobs in the country? I see soo many best career list that come out, and almost on all articles, NP ranks at least in the top 5 category of best healthcare jobs. Not to mention, NP profession is expected to grow 31% if you want the most cheapest option, then do a accelerated BSN program at a state school in your home state so you qualify for that low instate tuition. Then pursue the cheapest NP program you can find.

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Specializes in Direct Entry FNP Student.

@Meep123 - There are online classes that are required in the NP portion of the program. Informatics and Health Promotion being two of them. I am actually taking both right now (doing things out of order), and I will be able to tell you later in the semester how that is going. So far it is watching weekly videos, readings, discussion posts and papers. Nothing bad.

As I mentioned earlier, patho is offered online during the summer. It uses Zoom, which means you have to log on a certain time each week and have class through video. You can see and hear every person. It truly makes taking an online class so much more enjoyable. If you attend Simmons, I highly recommend taking this class in the summer. You will be much less stressed and more successful in the fall.

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Hi everyone! Excited and nervous to hear back. Is anyone applying directly from their undergraduate program?

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Hey everyone! I just received my acceptance letter through email. Did anyone else receive their letter?

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7 minutes ago, FNP199945 said:

Hey everyone! I just received my acceptance letter through email. Did anyone else receive their letter?

For what program? Direct entry or the online program?

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