Simmons vs Northeastern vs MGH direct-entry nursing fall 2015 start

[Ashley313]

Just sent in my applications for Simmons College, Northeastern, and MGH direct-entry nursing programs! I was wondering if anyone who is currently a student, also applying, or a graduate has any insight to offer.

A little about me:

I have a 3.77 overall GPA. I still have the prerequisites A&P I & II and Life Span development courses to complete, and have A's in my completed pre-requisites. I am on an emergency squad where I take patient vitals and assist in patient care. I volunteered at a hospital and shadowed a Physician Assistant. I am a Teaching Assistant at my college for Biology and Microbiology. My GRE scores are about average: 152 verbal , 151 quantitative, and 4 on writing. I live in and am from New York, and love the Boston area. I've applied to only Boston schools!

Thanks guys! Excited!

[DYS NP]

Hi Rebecca,

Northeastern has a DE MSN psych track and doesn't require the GRE. Also, you're awarded a BSN after the undergrad portion (1.5 yrs); most programs don't offer that (RN cert only before the master's portion). You have assigned preceptors for clinicals with a 6-student max; your preceptor is with you on the floor throughout the shift. It's highly selective (28 out of 400 applicants) but if you have a great undergrad/prereq GPA and nursing/healthcare experience, you're in the running.

That said--it's not perfect. Like any accelerated program, you're drinking from a fire hose, flat out for months-long stretches. You will not sleep some nights, and you will not get straight A's, no matter what your prereq or undergrad GPA was. Most professors are great; a few are meh, because clinical expertise doesn't necessarily translate to teaching skills. Great nurse educators are at a premium. I've heard the same thing from MGH, BC, and Simmons students, so weigh what you want carefully against each program. Regis does not (as of spring 2015) provide students with preceptors in the MS portion; this was huge for me but may not be for you. Regis does require the GRE but the program is less selective so that might not be a deal breaker if your GPA is high and you have experience. I recommend looking into the Regis direct-entry threads on this site to learn more.

Good luck!

[Nursing321]

I was accepted at northeastern! They called me exactly two wks after my interview.

[Meep123]

Hello!

I know this forum is a couple of years old, but I am hoping some people will still get a notification to their email. I applied and am waiting to hear back from Simmons for their Direct-Entry MSN program where I will graduate as an FNP. For those who were accepted, and are either still students or are graduated from Simmons, how has your experience been? Do you feel the price was worth it? I love that clinicals will be at great hospitals in Boston. How often did you work as an RN during the NP portion? how is job searching after graduation? Is it difficult because of the little RN experience students gain while in school? I am so worried it will be hard to find a job after graduating. I am also accepted to a direct-entry MSN program that takes 1.5 years but I will only graduate as an RN. So i am debating doing that track and getting a couple of years of RN experience before going to NP school (just to be more desirable to employers) or doing the entire RN and NP all at once with Simmons. Any feedback would be SO appreciated!!!!!!