Simmons FNP Sept 2017

PB_15, BSN, MSN, RN, NP · Jul 23, 2017

I was accepted to Simmons November cohort and have to do the bio bridge course in September. For those took the bridge in May, how was it? What should I be prepared for? Congrats to all who were accepted and good luck to all who have applied.

RNin10 · Jul 28, 2017

I have applied to Simmons this week and am waiting to hear if I'm accepted. I graduated 9 years ago with my ADN, so I'm hoping my years of experience will help me. My advisor said hopefully there will be an answer within the next week or two. I know this program is on the top of my list because of the live format classes. Congrats to all who have been accepted!
Did anyone apply anywhere else?

It sounds like you applied to the RN to MSN bridge program? I did also, I am waiting to hear. I am nervous because I owe money to another school and they won't release my transcripts until I pay the balance in full. So, I am now trying to figure out how I can pay the balance so I can start in September if I am accepted. Good luck to you! Hopefully we will be classmates!

RNin10 · Aug 9, 2017

I found out today that I got in. I'm doing the RN to MSN FNP starting in September 2017!

Dani_2B_ARNP · Aug 9, 2017

I found out today that I got in. I'm doing the RN to MSN FNP starting in September 2017!

Way to go!! I haven't heard back yet. I did finish my BSN in May, so I'm hoping that will give me an advantage to getting in. Hopefully I'll hear something this week.

sgreen83 · Aug 14, 2017

Still waiting to hear back from Simmons, submitted my application about 2 weeks ago. Just curious how your application looked like (i.e. GPA, RN Experience, # of recommendations, etc). Also, how long did it take to hear back from Simmons with a decision???

Thank you!

CammieChristina · Aug 30, 2017

I was just accepted as well for cohort Jan 2018. I also have to take the bridge biology course in Nov. Congratulations to you.

LiveTheNurseLife · Sep 12, 2017

I am very happy with my choice so far. The live lessons are nice in that you get to see the other students and you really get to know them and your profs. It's just like being in a classroom except much more comfortable. The live lessons are also recorded so you can go back and review anything you may have missed. If you work, the recommendation is doing the program part time and with that you will finish within 2 years. The years are broken up into "terms". The fist term started today 9/12/17 and lasts thru 12/2017. You get a month break between terms. Next term begins 1/2017 and goes thru 3/2017 etc. You start off with two courses first: Nursing Research and Adv Patho Phys. Then after the first term, the next subsequent terms are three classes at a time until you reach the practicums during the last year.

You are immediately assigned a Student Advisor who calls you and sticks by you through the program. He/she literally is there to support you emotionally and give you ideas on time management, dealing with difficult material, etc. My Advisor validated my feelings of anxiety at beginning the Masters program with a full time job and two teenagers. She's been a source of relief for me emotionally.

You will have a syllabus that lists the work you will be required to do for the entire term for each class. This will gives the opportunity to work ahead if you need to. I will tell you though that your presence at the live classes is mandatory. So even you are out of town, take your lap top and web cam with you. Each class is about 2 hours long. There are also quizzes that must be done 24 hours before the live class and one quiz to be done 24 hours after the live class. During class sign up you are given a list of choices for dates and times you can attend. The dates and times you choose will be permanent for your classes during that particular term. Other than that, everything else is archived and you can access it 24/7.

I have been told a few times already that practicums require you to be with a practitioner for at least 16 hours per week during weekday working hours. On my end, I work three 12 hour shifts every week, which would mean that I would be using my weekdays off for practicum. Two different student advisors have said that working a mon-fri job would make it impossible to attend practicum. They advised keeping part time or per diem positions during the last term. I will continue to work my three 12s because I can also choose to work the weekends and attend practicums during the week (I work as a bedside nurse at an inpatient hospital).

As far as practicums....My main source of anxiety in attending an online school was trying to find my own preceptors since I have heard of all the horror stories out there of students having to postpone semesters because they could not find preceptors. Simmons has a Clinical Placement Team which places you at the closest practicum site available. I live in a very busy and well known metro area, so they already have clinical placement sites available here. However, if you live in a more rural area, they may have to place you farther from where you live.

The tuition is somewhere around $65,000. Yes, it's expensive. But I tell you, I have researched so many other online schools and for what Simmons Online is offering, I am happy so far.

davidintheicu · Oct 17, 2017

Hi all. I'm currently a CNA with a degree in bio. I was looking to do the BS to MSN FNP track. What am I looking at for a GPA to be accepted?

davidintheicu · Oct 17, 2017

What was your GPA to get accepted?

davidintheicu · Oct 17, 2017

What was your GPA to get accepted? Thanks in advance.

I found out today that I got in. I'm doing the RN to MSN FNP starting in September 2017!

LiveTheNurseLife · Oct 18, 2017

No mandatory GPA requirement, per say. But they will like you to write a very good revealing essay as to why you didn't graduate with a 3.0

davidintheicu · Oct 24, 2017

Thank you!

No mandatory GPA requirement, per say. But they will like you to write a very good revealing essay as to why you didn't graduate with a 3.0