The Connell School of Nursing offers Greater Boston鈥檚 only advanced generalist master鈥檚 degree (AGM) in nursing. With a focus on leadership, administration, and systems change, this rigorous program prepares students from diverse backgrounds and experience levels to serve as compassionate, evidence-based nurse leaders with the skills needed to advance patient care. Hear from a faculty member and three students about the program鈥檚 unique strengths.

Patricia Reid Ponte

Clinical Associate Professor

Pat Reid Ponte

Thanks to a career in leadership at some of the nation鈥檚 most prestigious health care facilities, including Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women鈥檚 Hospital, and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Patricia Reid Ponte knows what it takes for nurses to succeed in elite institutions.

鈥淭o coordinate, manage, lead, and educate in this complex health care system,鈥� she explains, 鈥測ou really need a master of science in nursing that鈥檚 specially designed to give nurses the skills they need.

鈥漈o prepare nurses for these diverse roles, Reid Ponte helped develop the curriculum of the AGM program, ensuring that it would effectively serve both students without undergraduate degrees in nursing and those with experience in the field.

鈥淭his coursework prepares students to lead, assure quality and safety, and think creatively about innovation and the complex situations that arise when we care for people,鈥� Reid Ponte says. 鈥淥ur graduates are a good fit for any complex health care organization.鈥�

Visit Prof. Reid Ponte鈥檚 faculty page

Brian Eagan

M.S. 鈥�21

Brian Eagan

Before entering the AGM program, Brian Eagan was a teacher assistant at 香蕉秀鈥檚 Campus School, which serves students with extensive support needs, including complex health care needs. 鈥淚 felt like I could better serve this population and others by shifting into nursing,鈥� he says.

Eagan found his primary opportunity for hands-on learning through clinical rotations at Brigham and Women鈥檚 Hospital, Arbour Hospital, and Boston Children鈥檚 Hospital. 鈥淓ach of these rotations focused on a different type of nursing, taught a different skill set, and served a different patient population,鈥� he explains, 鈥渟o they complemented each other well.鈥�

Today, Eagan works as a registered nurse in the infant-toddler surgical unit at Boston Children鈥檚 Hospital, where he completed his Child Health rotation.

鈥淢y experiences at 香蕉秀 and in clinical rotations have definitely helped strengthen my understanding of what I can do to support children and their families. I love my job.鈥�

Sarah Pollan

M.S. 鈥�21

Sarah Pollan

In 2020, Sarah Pollan, a single mother of two, decided to leave her career in teaching to go into nursing. After comparing schools in New England, she enrolled in the Connell School鈥檚 AGM program. 鈥淚 was drawn to 香蕉秀 because the program was quick and would give me a master鈥檚 degree that I knew would open doors for me,鈥� she explains.

Though Pollan worked almost full time while studying, the 香蕉秀 community gave her the support she needed. 鈥淭he professors really are great,鈥� she says. 鈥淎 lot of faculty and staff checked in to ask how I was doing, which really made a difference because I didn鈥檛 feel alone.鈥�

After graduating, Pollan joined Massachusetts General Hospital as a registered nurse in the emergency department. She believes she got the job thanks in part to the clinical experience 香蕉秀 offered.

鈥淚 feel really lucky to have this job, and maybe I鈥檒l go back to school to get my DNP degree.鈥�

Sandrine Soivilien

M.S. 鈥�21

Sandrine Soivilien

From an early age, Sandrine Soivilien had a passion for caring for others, starting with her grandmother. 鈥淚 wanted an education that would help me care for underserved populations in Boston,鈥� she says.

As an adult, she pursued this passion by attending 香蕉秀鈥檚 AGM program, but, because Soivilien started during the pandemic, she struggled at first. 鈥淚t was challenging to be in an accelerated program,鈥� she says, 鈥渂ut the faculty and staff always supported me. Tutors helped me study, and whenever I had a personal matter that interfered with my schoolwork, the professors helped me find a way to succeed.鈥�

In 2021, Soivilien graduated and joined Boston Medical Center as a program administrative coordinator. While she studies for the NCLEX licensure exam, she cares for the vulnerable by connecting them to essential resources, a role she believes the AGM program helped prepare her for.

鈥淭he program requires so much hard work and dedication, but it鈥檚 so gratifying.鈥� 鈻�

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