umass grad school nursing in worcester

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Specializes in pediatrics.

hi, does anyone attend UMASS Worcester grad school of nursing? preferably the traditional masters pathway? i was interested in finding out what the class schedule is like for this particular program...how many days per week...what type of hours?

thanks so much:specs:

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Specializes in ACNP-BC.

Hi. I just graduated from UMASS Grad School of Nursing this month. I was a traditional Master's student in the ACNP specialty. The first year (I did the program full time, in 2 years) I took the 3 required classes the first semester (societal forces, adv pathophys and research/nurs theory I) so I was in class all day on Wednesdays from like 8:30 AM-8 PM (with one hour breaks in btwn the classes). Then second semester first year I took nurs theory II, community service project, adv pharm-again all day on Wed, and also took an elective-Cardiac Nursing on tue evenings from 4:30 -7:30 PM. Then second year first semester I took Cardiac II on Tue evenings, and then we had our specialty Acute care class all day on Tuesdays from 9 AM-4 PM. Second semester was also Acute Care II all day on Tue 9-4. Plus we had clinical both semesters : I had ER first semester and then cardiac surg clinic second semester. Let me know if you have any other questions or PM me. It was a good program and I'm glad I did it, even if it was hard at times juggling working with full time school and everything else. Did you apply?

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Specializes in pediatrics.

Hi ChrisVS,

thanks so much for responding and a BIG CONGRATS to you for completing the program. I did apply for the adult primary care track, and was granted an interview on 6/9. It went really well i thought. This thursday they will be presenting my admissions file to the committee that makes the decisions, so I should know soon!

I am very excited about this !

I think it's so cool you are only on campus one day a week the 1st semester.

where do you plan on starting out as a NP? what area interests you?

thanks again,liz

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Specializes in ACNP-BC.

Hi Liz-I accepted a job as a Hospitalist NP. I start in late August-I am very excited about it because it's what I really want to do more than anything else. Now I just have one last hurdle to cross before I get there-the exam. I am still waiting to hear back from the ANCC regarding when I can sit for the certification exam.

Are you planning on going for primary care or acute care? There really are so many jobs available for NPs in our area for all specialties-I think it's great to have so many options out there. :)

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Specializes in pediatrics.

Hi Chrisvs,

I did choose the adult primary care track, but since both programs are the same the 1st year, i wonder if they would let me switch to acute/critical care track for year 2. I'm kind of torn between which one i want to do.

were there like a ton of research papers you had to do the 1st year??

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Specializes in ACNP-BC.

I know they allowed most people to switch specialities, as long as they didn't wait until the last minute (not right before clinicals started) to let them know. If you tell them early, it shouldn't be a problem to switch. Do you know for sure you'd rather work in acute care? Where have you worked as an RN? In the hospital? Clinics? Out patient? I know I only wanted acute care because I knew I wanted to work in Hospital Medicine from the very beginning-and I know I love working with hospitalized patients from my 3 years as an RN at UMASS Memorial. Anyhow, everyone has to decide for themselves where they want to be. :) The first year there are term papers/other papers to write in patho, in societal forces, and in research. It did seem like a lot of work and is time consuming, but I wouldn't say it was too difficult. You can definitely do it, but need to spend time on the homework as it is a lot at times, especially if you do school full time like I did. That's why I would recommend (if you can) to cut back on working while in school to give yourself a break and not go crazy trying to do it all and still come out smiling. :) Another thing I did was I took an elective class over the summer before I began the program officially, to ease my load during the fall...of course then I took two more electives during the school year for my cardiac sub-specialty. But if you don't want to do a sub-specialty and just need the one elective, it helps to take it by itself during summer. Good luck! I will keep my fingers crossed for you! :)

Christine

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Specializes in pediatrics.

Wow, thanks for the info!

I graduated with my BSN in 5/07. I have only worked for a pediatric urgent care clinic in Worcester. Ever since I graduated, I have been trying to get into a hospital setting, but it has been so hard to do so. Primarily, not b/c of the abundance of RN's , but i think its b/c i haven't worked as an aide in college. I am primarily interested in the acute care b/c I might be able to work overnights, which is the schedule my husband has. But, I feel like this is a harder specialty overall, and also b/c i have no experience in it. I would probably be 100% comfortable being a NP in a clinic/outpatient setting. My sister is a NP in NY in a women's health clinic and she loves it, so maybe I will to. that is my primary interest actually--women's health, but the colleges that offer that program, are way too expensive for me to pile on more debt. I'm not sure what i will do yet, but I'm still waiting for an acceptance letter anyways. They told me that they saw a decrease in applications for the traditional masters this year. my entire application was great, except for my GRE scores, but the interviewer told me they don't really rely on those much. Anyways thanks for all your help/support, and I'll let you know if I am accepted!

liz

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Specializes in ACNP-BC.

I would think that since you have been working as an RN for over a year now, that it would count for something though. I mean, I think working as an RN means a lot more than working as a PCA, no matter where you were a PCA. Which hospitals have you tried to work at? I know there a lot of jobs posted all the time at my hospital for RNs (I work at Memorial). Anyhow, good luck with your decisions. :)

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Specializes in pediatrics.

Hi Chris,

I was accepted!!! Just found out yesterday. as far as the hospitals i have tried applying to...pretty much everyone in the state excluding Springfield. I have tried all Boston, Worcester, and community hospitals in between.

Not sure if i will switch tracks or not...

thanks !

liz

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Specializes in ACNP-BC.
Hi Chris,

I was accepted!!! Just found out yesterday. as far as the hospitals i have tried applying to...pretty much everyone in the state excluding Springfield. I have tried all Boston, Worcester, and community hospitals in between.

Not sure if i will switch tracks or not...

thanks !

liz

Congratulations!!!! That is so great!!!! Yeah! I'm so happy for you. :) :yeah::yeah:

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Specializes in Primary Care/ Trauma.

I would like to know more about the Umass Worcester program. If you guys are still on this forum let me know, I'd like to ask a few things.

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Hey tt2323,

I am currently a student in the program in the accelerated GEP track and it is much the same as the earlier posts in this thread. what kind of info are you looking for? Hopefully I can be some help

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