Umass Worcester GEP!! Please reply!

zmrmna · Feb 24, 2010

Also, where are your clinicals located? How far do you have to travel for them on average?

jb2010 · Feb 24, 2010

Hi Zmrma - I'm still waiting to hear back - but maybe someone else on the thread has an answer.

zmrmna · Feb 24, 2010

Hi JTuoni- did you have your interview there yet, or have you gone to one of their GEP info sessions? I feel like I don't know that much about the school.

Do you know how many people they accept/how big the incoming class is? I think it is fairly small... but not sure. Also- do you know how much it would cost for the 3 years, or if they give a lot of aid to in-state residents? Thanks!

jb2010 · Feb 25, 2010

I just had my interview and am waiting to hear. I forgot to ask how large their program is, but what I can tell you is that they have a fairly intense program.

The first year they recommend not working at all and you are in class or clinical pretty much all week. I think clinicals start the 3rd month in. If I hear back, I can let you know more information.

Good luck with your schools!

briang30 · Feb 25, 2010

To answer a few of the UMASS-Worcester questions:

UMASS GEP accepts 32 students per class.

Classes start August 16th this year, and you will be in clinicals by the first week of September, 2 days a week. Two more days a week in class, and lab every other week.

Your clinical location depends on which class you are doing clincials for. Each lecture class has a corresponding clinical class. Most of the clinicals are in the Worcester area, UMASS University and Memorial. There's a rotation in Milford and one in Marlborough. A few others as well, but not everyone goes to every location.

There's an info session tomorrow night (Thursday) from 5:30 - 7:30 if people have more questions. The professors and a few students will be there.

Zippy010 · Feb 25, 2010

Briang30 thanks for your insights. I am interviewing on Tuesday and taking a tour of the lab afterward. I am very excited about the program and the university's plans for the coming years. Are interviews granted quite liberally or should I feel confident that my application seems to be received well? Thanks.

briang30 · Feb 25, 2010

Enjoy the tour. You may be there while the 2nd year students are there for their Advanced Assessment class.

You definitely passed through a checkpoint, not everyone gets an interview. Just be yourself. Someone else recently posted some tips on interviewing, good advice. Best of luck.

Zippy010 · Feb 25, 2010

I am so excited! Thank you!

jb2010 · Feb 26, 2010

I was just accepted to the Acute Care Track today for the GEP at UMass Medical!!! I'm pretty sure I will be heading there next fall. Very excited!!!

briang30 · Feb 26, 2010

Congratulations JB. See you in the fall

LewisNClark · Mar 6, 2010

So, I got into the GEP for FNP and I'm really excited--I love the program and think the faculty is great. That said, I'm also terrified, because I have kids and the usual duties, not to mention a long drive to campus. I'm going to be VERY tightly scheduled. I was hoping someone in the program could give me some really specific information. I have no illusions about having time to myself or time to relax, but there are only 24 hours in the day. Can someone in the program give me an idea of the times of the day when you have to be physically present at a place? I have the idea that class and lab days are 9-5 (with the 5 being a projected "end" time, but not if stuff has to be done), and that clinicals are either 7-3 (with 3 not really when you leave) or 3-11 (and you won't be walking out at 11 most days, either). This is what I'm mentally preparing for. Is my idea correct? Can someone give me a week in your life? With times included? AND hours studying?

Also, can you tell me what textbooks you are using? How much reading? How much paper writing? What kind of tests and how many are there usually? For those who have already had grad education, how does it compare with the usual pressure cooker of grad school? On par? Does anyone have any idea what the schedule for year 2 looks like?

I don't want to sound like I'm scared of hard work--I'm used to working really hard and not having down time, but I am scared of shelling out major bucks and crashing and burning. And "prior planning prevents poor performance," so I'm trying to get a REALLY clear idea of what my life is going to be like while in the program, just so I can get everyone in my life on the same page. Can't PM, not eough posts, or otherwise I'd just PM all those who are in the program. Thanks!

briang30 · Mar 6, 2010

Congratulations on your acceptance.

You are basically in class 7 - 8 hours twice a week, including 1 - 2hours for breaks. Clinicals are from 6:30 - 2:30, but you're typically on the floor only from 7 - 12:30, depending on your instructor. You may get our 10 or 15 minutes late, but you can pretty much count on getting out on time. Days and times may change for next year, based on feedback from current students and the availability of faculty. There are some other posts, maybe in different threads, with more specific details. If you can't find them, let me know and I will be happy to fill you in.

The material learned during the first year is the equivalent of the last two years of an undergraduate nursing curriculum squeezed into one year. It's not that it's hard, it's a lot of material. So the amount of time you spend studying depends on your learning and studying style, whether you want to pass or get straight A's, and how much time you have available. After you get a few exams under your belt, you'll have a better idea of how much time you need to spend studying. However much time that is, leave some time for yourself and/or your family. It's healthy.

There is not a lot of paper writing the first year. Maybe one 10 - 15 page paper each semester and a few 2 - 3 page papers. Most of the content comes from data you collect during your clinical rotations.

The school should send out a textbook list in July. I suggest buying them online, much less expensive than buying them from the book store. You may also want to ask if any student are selling their textbooks, many do.

Hopefully this does not come across as condescending, because it's not meant that way: I completely understand your desire to understand the workload for next year, but it's March. There will be plenty of time to stress out in the fall. Enjoy the time you have now with your family.

If you have the time, you may want to go to another info session. There are usually 1 or 2 first year students there. Please also feel free to write if you have any other burning questions.