Will visiting nursing schools and attending information sessions make a difference?

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I live in San Diego and I'm looking into nursing programs in Boston. I have found 7 that I want to apply to including simmons, mgh, northeastern, curry, umass, regis, and bc. I am interested in visiting each school during October because some of the schools have information sessions where I could go and talk to some people one on one about the program. Do you think visiting the schools and having face time with program directors before I apply will be helpful? Plane tickets and hotels aren't exactly cheap from SD but I am more than willing to go. I also have another issue....I have a good GPA and pre-req grades but do you think I'm at a disadvantage being from CA? I heard that MA schools dont like west coast people because they want to train someone who will stay in MA, but on the other hand, I've heard that out of state people pay an arm and a leg more so they like us???....I really want to get in :confused:

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Specializes in Pediatric Cardiology.

Getting an idea of the nursing program before you attend is a great idea. I went to Simmons so I of course am biased but they are all great schools :) PM me if you have any questions.. I know people that also went to the surrounding schools so I could probably answer some of your questions.

Good luck, you will get to do clinicals at some of the best hospitals.

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You are planning on spending a number of years attending and dealing with these programs. You will have to choose between them a few months from now. You won't want to have to choose based on a picture!

Each one is definitely different. Some schools I formed a quick impression of, or of the faculty and staff. I also learned something about the application process, or nursing, or the NCLEX, or something important, from every information session or one-on-one I went to.

It IS expensive, but learning too late that you are at a school you hate would be worse. Plan a short trip, cram as many in as possible. You can do at least 2 a day -- Curry and Regis included, though you might want to rent a car for a day for that.

I would also consider UMass Worcester, depending on what degree you're going for. It is outside Boston, in Worcester, but it has a really great, caring staff and well-designed program, it is allied with the UMass Medical school, and has a sparkling new facility for most of its classes. You don't say what degree you're going for, but it may have what you want.

I do not believe you are at a particular disadvantage in being from California. Colleges do try to achieve diversity of all kinds, including geographic. That said, everyone is aware of the difficulties in the California public college system right now, so there may be more students on the move right now, and after awhile, too much of any one thing ceases to be diverse. At any rate, you can't change it, so it doesn't bear worrying about. California nurses are cool!

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Thanks for the advice!

I'm going for the Accelerated BSN or Master's Entry programs (eventually become an NP). I agree completely that I don't want to make my career choice just based on a picture. thanks for mentioning Umass W, but I want to stay in the Boston area because I am not going alone. My long term boyfriend is starting his residency at mgh next year as well and we're thinking of getting a place and settling down. So along with the pressures of getting into nursing school there's the extra pressure of a relationship. yikes! I think that the money to go visit the schools might be an issue now, but like you said, I think the information and first hand experience I get from going will definitely pay off...afterall, that's what credit cards are for right :p

Glad to know Californians are cool ;)

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There's really ONE good thing about living in Boston though: You don't really need a car to get around, YA just need the trollies/trains. Oh, maybe cabs.

T is the best way to get around. Rent a car if you have to drive away from Boston, such as going out of state. I've never lived in Boston, only the outskirts. But, I liked the city when I was there. Definitely try Boston Univ. -- the campus is gorgeous, expecially in the fall! The city itself has culture and NOT that far from NYC (where you can spend some time taking in a show or two). Oh yea, I miss clam chowder! lol. Gotta love the seafood out in the Northeast! Lobster heaven, lol.

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If masters is in the picture then you might want to check out Boston College -- there's nothing more accelerated than their 2-year start to finish master's entry. They don't even lock you into that specialty when you apply. Highly competitive though, obviously.

Why turn 2 years for a bsn plus 2 years for a masters plus perhaps another 1-2 years for a dnp, if that's what's required by the time you get there if you can condense it? Graduate school is really not harder than undergrad, and NPs don't work nights and weekends the way many floor nurses do. Do look into all your options and see what makes sense for you, financially, personally and otherwise. You may still end up in a BSN program, but you will do it knowing it is your best choice, not wishing you'd thought of option X months ago.

Also, look at the prereqs carefully for each of the schools. I think, unless you're not working and have a lot of time or have completed a lot already, they are pretty varied, so that might influence your choice a bit.

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PediLove2147- so I decided I can't afford to visit the schools right now so I'll just have to do my best to keep in contact with them through email and such. I'm really interested in Simmons (particularly since the GRE isn't required and it looks like a really great program!) but it just seems so expensive. How did you manage the tuition? Are people able to get enough loans to cover the cost?

(i would have messaged you but I don't know how to on this site)-thanks!

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