Some Final Simmons Questions

allnurses Guide · Feb 16, 2015

The Simmons program or the Nursing@Simmons program?

Sent from my iPhone.

mtg0884 · Feb 16, 2015

The Simmons program or the Nursing@Simmons program?
Sent from my iPhone.

I'm not sure what the difference is between the two but im talking about the popular online program comparable to georgetown online.

allnurses Guide · Feb 16, 2015

The difference is that Nursing@Simmons is the online program (akin to Nursing@Georgetown) which is more flexible while the traditional Simmons program is more rigorous and less flexible.

There are a few people here that are in one of the first classes at Nursing@Simmons and have done a great job talking about the program and what's expected. You can do a search and find them.

As far as your questions:

1. It often becomes difficult (in any program) to work FT/PT during the final clinical semesters due to the amount of hours needed as well as the flexibility to match with a preceptor.

2. The program is not an easy one and will require a considerable amount of effort. Remember that ever member of your cohort with have graduated undergrad with a 3.6+ GPA. You will have to work for it.

3. I will let those with experience in the online program tackle this one.

4. Research is an important part of the curriculum at Simmons. The faculty is excellent but research will be part of every class you take as your will be expected to thoroughly research every topic you write on.

5. My only advice is to invest in yourself. This is a big financial investment but also is the foundation of a career in a very high responsibility job. Work as little as you can afford and invest that time in becoming the best NP you can.

Sent from my iPhone.

zmansc, ASN, RN · Feb 16, 2015

I can't speak to the specifics of Simmons, there are others on here who will be able to fill you in with those details.

As BostonFNP mentioned research will be an important part of any program, but I think you will find that it is a skill you can learn and master. I know there were several students in my cohort who struggled with it, and it does take alot of detail work, but they eventually learned it and a few of them actually like it now. You asked about the amount of time spent on classes, it sounds like at first you might want to take a lighter load (if possible) while taking the research classes so that you have sufficient time to focus on that and really master it. I say this because, as was mentioned already, future classes will assume you have the skills to do research built into their assignments. I would not let a fear of research classes hold me back though!

TashaLPN2006RN2012, ASN, RN · Feb 27, 2015

1. Is this a feasable schedule to work full time doing the program part time?

Yes the first 4 terms you can easily maintain full time employment while completing the program part time. I currently work from home as a pediatric case manager M-F 8-430pm. I take all my live classes during the week after 5pm...so farm i'm finishing my 3rd term and have been able to get classes anywhere from 630pm-11pm at night. I reserve my weekends for family and studying so your schedule really shouldn't be a problem. Once clinical starts those hours can be assigned M-F during normal business/clinic hours therefore i will be leaving my job. if you work weekends only you may be able to continue on, however, note that you will still have live classes AND clinical hours to complete during that time.

2. How much study time does this program truly require? I am just curious, not that I am looking for an easy program, I just like to have a heads up! I graduated under grad with a 3.8gpa. I am not naturally smart, I study for my grades.

It really depends on the class. Patho and Pharm 1 & 2 I spent lots of time on per week. Research, Scholarly Inq 1 and Scholarly Inq 2 spent loads of time on and they were only 2-3 cr hour courses. I probably spend 10-20 hrs per week studying, this doesn't include my time in live classes (2 hr each class each week...so 3 classes = 6 hours of "class time").

3. What does the program mainly consist of? Reading, studying, papers? Discussion board, etc. Are there a lot of papers? Project, what kind? What can I expect from the courses?

As I said I'm finishing Term 3 Part Time now. For Pharm and Patho classes I've had case studies, asynchronous pre-recorded lectures, quizzes. For the Research classes (there are 3 of them) I've had large final papers (but mostly we worked on those a little at a time each week through the term), verbal Power point presentations I gave, group work, some short discussion boards and the pre-recorded lectures. Family Theory and Global Health were pretty fun classes to me,short discussions, pre-recorded lectures and final presentations and final papers. It's a good mix of work and just depends on the class. EVERY class has pre-recorded lectures to watch prior to your LIVE class each week. Some classes have quizzes, some have exams, some have papers. Pharm has proctored exams given during your live class.

4. How are the research classes, they are what I fear. I struggled in undergrad with research but I had a horrible teacher which put a bad taste in my mouth. We all failed and she rounded all F's to C's for the curve. Since then, i've just been scared of research.

There are 3 research classes. NSG Research gives you a GREAT review of stats, theories and nursing research needs in general. They take you step by step how to critique studies, how to determine if they are worthwhile etc....Scholarly Inquiry you learn how to do a full Literature Review from top to bottom and you choice your Topic that you want to do a study on (this is a group work class), Scholarly Inquiry 2 is a continuation of SI1 (you will have the same instructor, same group, and same topic) this is where you will actually put a study together or do an integrated literature review (holy cow this is what our group did and now i wished we could have done a regular research study because it was REALLY HARD!) it's also group work plus a verbal presentation. We actually got an A on both!!! I learned a lot and was really scared of research however now i feel very comfortable with it.

5. Anything you feel will be helpful for me to no in regards to the program would be greatly appreciated.

You need to be very organized, keep track of when assignments/postings/quizzes/tests are due. Some items are do anywhere from 24 to 72 hours PRIOR to your live class. You will always be working a week ahead as your live classes are done AFTER everything is completed that week (it's my only gripe as i wish the live class was first to answer questions prior to submission of assignments) that being said ALL my instructors have responded within 1hr to 24hr of email, some allowed us to call their personal cell phones/personal emails and have been super supportive. Have a quiet area where you can log into your computer & use a headset/phone with MUTE function during the live classes. So far I love the program. I feel like i've learned alot and i will be starting clinicals this summer!!! =)

contact the admissions reps they are great and will also invite you to a live webinar to talk with current students! Super fun and can get a real feel for how the live classes and course work is set up!

Tasha

TashaLPN2006RN2012, ASN, RN · Feb 27, 2015

One other thing, The classes are already pre-assigned what term you take them in, there is little lee-way in that! Term one you take 2 classes, term 2 you take 3 classes, term 3 you take 3 classes, term 4- two classes, term 5- 3 classes, term 6 & 7- 2 classes. if you go to the Nursing@Simmons website and click on academic calendar it will show you what classes you take each term =)