UMASS Worcester - GEP 2020

ProspectivePMHNP · Jan 31, 2020

Hi There,

I have an upcoming interview for the PMH track... has anyone here applied for that track? If so, and you have had an interview, would you be willing and able to share some of the questions that you may have been asked... the ones pertaining to PMH...

Thanks!

FutureAdultGeroNP · Feb 2, 2020

Hi @Future_nurse_practitioner, first of all congratulations!

First semester, the schedule for us was classes all day on Monday and until 3pm on Fridays. Tuesday and Wednesdays are clinical days (either 6am - 2pm or 2pm - 10pm depending on your luck), Thursdays lab from 12:30-4pm. School starts in mid-August and there's a week break in October. There are a couple of days off for Thanksgiving and then a 2 week break over the holidays.

Second semester is a little different - we have classes from 9-5pm on Monday and Tuesday, clinicals on Wednesday and Friday and lab on Thursday (same times). We have a break the first week of March and a break in May before summer term starts. We have August off and part of July - but also have to study for the NCLEX during that time so it's not a total break. Most of the breaks are like that - there's always something to do but you don't have to be on campus :).

The years after the first year are different - more of a normal academic schedule with longer breaks over the holidays and summer. You'll also be working as an R.N. after the first year (and passing the NCLEX) so I'm sure it will still be very busy - just different!

The workload is a LOT, mostly because it is an accelerated program, however it is manageable. The staff is very supportive and everyone wants you to succeed, they are not trying to weed you out (like some programs!). How much reading and studying you do will depend on your study style and academic background, everyone is different in this regard.

None of the classes for the first year are online (except maybe the summer term?), you have to be present in all of the classes - they are very strict about that.

Happy to answer any other questions you have!

FutNurse23 · Feb 3, 2020

@FutureAdultGeroNP Thank you for all the great information! I have a question about the cost of the program. Hope you can help or anyone else wants to chime in. I received my financial aid letter, and does the “ first year tuition” amount include the summer session ie. 3 semesters, or just fall & spring? Also does the cost go down after you finish pre-licensure portion? How many hours/week do you work as an RN? What is the projected cost for the entire program (in state).

massDNP · Feb 4, 2020

I haven’t found a fb page if someone wants to start one

ameliatoye6 · Feb 5, 2020

On 1/31/2020 at 2:33 AM, ProspectivePMHNP said:
Hi There,
I have an upcoming interview for the PMH track... has anyone here applied for that track? If so, and you have had an interview, would you be willing and able to share some of the questions that you may have been asked... the ones pertaining to PMH...
Thanks!

I have my interview for PMH tomorrow. I am not sure what to expect

ProspectivePMHNP · Feb 5, 2020

Hey @Future_nurse,

I interviewed for PMH yesterday; it’s fairly straightforward. Similar questions to what you would find in any other interview. I know the GEP 2018 thread has a list of questions posted that they were asked (not PMH track though) Page 6 of the thread, I believe. Do you know who you are interviewing with? The staff seem extremely helpful and nice! Best of luck to you!! If you have any questions, I am happy to help!

ameliatoye6 · Feb 10, 2020

for those of you who have gotten accepted, do you know if they have an accepted students day or visiting day planned?

futureNP22 · Feb 10, 2020

On ‎2‎/‎3‎/‎2020 at 7:44 AM, FutNurse23 said:
@FutureAdultGeroNP Thank you for all the great information! I have a question about the cost of the program. Hope you can help or anyone else wants to chime in. I received my financial aid letter, and does the “ first year tuition” amount include the summer session ie. 3 semesters, or just fall & spring? Also does the cost go down after you finish pre-licensure portion? How many hours/week do you work as an RN? What is the projected cost for the entire program (in state).

How long after your acceptance letter did your financial aid letter arrive in the mail?

FutNurse23 · Feb 11, 2020

16 hours ago, futureNP22 said:
How long after your acceptance letter did your financial aid letter arrive in the mail?

About 4 weeks later

FutureAdultGeroNP · Feb 13, 2020

@FutNurse23 hi, I'm so sorry for my delayed response, been busy w/school! I believe that the financial aid letter only includes fall and spring semester, not the summer semester. The subsequent years are much less expensive than the first year but honestly I don't know the grand total... I estimated it to be between $95-100k, which is a lot, but it's $25-30K less than private schools like Simmons and MGH. Considering that it's a 4 year doctoral program vs. a 3 year masters degree program that's a pretty good cost savings. The first year is the most expensive because it is accelerated and the credit load is a lot more. I asked one of my classmates to chime in on the financial aid aspects because she knows more about it than me. You could also ask Maria Brescia in the financial aid department for more details.

I think the amount that you'll work as an R.N. will vary a lot depending on your personality, background and how much you want to work. You have to put in a certain amount of hours (1000 I believe?). I feel like there are some people in my cohort who will work FT and others will work PT or per diem. There are some people who are working pt in my cohort, even though they recommend against it. I could see those people working ft as soon as they can. For me, I'm not working at all right now and don't see myself working ft as an RN - I have a feeling I'll be working pt or per diem. It will probably also depend on where I end up getting a job and what kind of shifts I'm working. Hard to tell right now! I am taking one semester a time :).

Hope this helps! I will try to answer more questions as I can. I definitely recommend setting up a FB group, it was helpful for our group before we started school.

Good luck to everyone still interviewing!

ameliatoye6 · Feb 14, 2020

I just got my acceptance today for the PMH track! I am definitely considering this program and it has quickly become my first choice due to the DNP option as well as cost overall. I am so excited! I was told I should hear back within the next week with my financial aid package

massDNP · Feb 19, 2020

On 2/13/2020 at 9:58 AM, FutureAdultGeroNP said:
@FutNurse23 hi, I'm so sorry for my delayed response, been busy w/school! I believe that the financial aid letter only includes fall and spring semester, not the summer semester. The subsequent years are much less expensive than the first year but honestly I don't know the grand total... I estimated it to be between $95-100k, which is a lot, but it's $25-30K less than private schools like Simmons and MGH. Considering that it's a 4 year doctoral program vs. a 3 year masters degree program that's a pretty good cost savings. The first year is the most expensive because it is accelerated and the credit load is a lot more. I asked one of my classmates to chime in on the financial aid aspects because she knows more about it than me. You could also ask Maria Brescia in the financial aid department for more details.
I think the amount that you'll work as an R.N. will vary a lot depending on your personality, background and how much you want to work. You have to put in a certain amount of hours (1000 I believe?). I feel like there are some people in my cohort who will work FT and others will work PT or per diem. There are some people who are working pt in my cohort, even though they recommend against it. I could see those people working ft as soon as they can. For me, I'm not working at all right now and don't see myself working ft as an RN - I have a feeling I'll be working pt or per diem. It will probably also depend on where I end up getting a job and what kind of shifts I'm working. Hard to tell right now! I am taking one semester a time :).
Hope this helps! I will try to answer more questions as I can. I definitely recommend setting up a FB group, it was helpful for our group before we started school.
Good luck to everyone still interviewing!

I know they said they do a hybrid with online and on campus classes After the pre license year so how do you like that style of learning? Do you end up going to campus anyways for the online learning? Thanks!! And congrats to everyone interviewing and accepted