UIC's GEP Fall 2014

U.S.A. Illinois

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Just looking to see if anyone else out there has applied to UIC's GEP for Fall 2014. I just finished my application.

I have an undergraduate degree (1994) from Iowa State in Art & Design and a Master's degree (1996) from UIC in Art Therapy. Hopefully my alumni status will increase my chances.

I live in the western suburbs of Chicago and, if accepted, will commute.

How about you?

sara

Yes any information is appreciated! However, you guys are on the previous curriculum with specialties, we are going to be Advanced Generalists (CNL's), not as cool. Also has anyone gotten anything in the mail? I still don't know total tuition, orientation dates, move in days, nor the new curriculum (which classes we are taking) yet!

Travis

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Well since they are switching the curriculum, I can't really give a lot of specific advice. I am more than thrilled that it is over however. I am actually switching into the Advanced Generalist Master's this fall. Everyone that is switching is still in the dark. We are not able to register for fall classes yet since they are still finalizing the curriculum.

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NNPHopeful wow that is interesting. So why are you and others switching from specialized positions to advanced generalists? Or are you forced to?...And yea we of course also have no idea what courses we will be taking throughout the program either since I guess things are still being finalized/approved

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I am switching because I want to be an NNP. That is only offered at the DNP level. With the current curriculum, we are not given a degree in nursing even though we can sit for the NCLEX. Finding jobs has been an issue with previous classes. The difficulty with finding jobs, the push from hospitals to have BSN- prepared nurses, and the push for advanced practice nurses to have their DNP are some of the reasons that UIC is changing GEP. The idea of at least having a degree in nursing while completing my DNP is what attracted me. I am not sure of the reasoning for some of my other classmates.

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wow you guys are in the master's specialty program but are not given a degree in nursing?! How does that make ANY sense?! So basically you have to switch to our program (the new GEP this fall) so that you will graduate with a MS in Nursing?

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We are given a degree after we finish the master's portion not after the first 15 months. By swiching we will receive our master's by the end of summer next year but not in a specialty.

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oh ok I see, well apparently that is how ours will work as well...we are not given a BSN and will not be able to take the NCLEX until we complete the program and receive the MS. Obviously many things are still unclear for us as well

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Hello Everyone,

I just want to let you all know that the orientation date is around Aug 14. Don't plan your vacation on that day!:) Meanwhile, I'm also on the same pace as you guys. I have been checking UIC website constantly, if they have put up the new curriculum. I need to know the classes that we're gonna be taking and the costs so I can plan things out. It sucks because they have not updated it yet, but I guess we all have to patience:).

Have a great Day!

Navy_PO2

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Hey HR1989,

I applied to both DePaul and UIC's program. Got into both programs...did you end up getting into UIC? I'm still trying to make a final decision between the two. Both have their pro's and con's, but seem pretty similar in price. What are your thoughts?

If anyone else has any opinions between the two programs, I'd greatly appreciate it! Things I'm factoring it: length of program, cost, NCLEX passing rates, ranking (not sure if this really matters), UIC being paired with a hospital vs DePaul which is not, etc.

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Hi Eschnall,

I was accepted to DePaul as well. I went to information sessions for both programs and here is what I think/know.

1) Length of program: DePaul is 2 years (8 quarters) whereas UIC is 2 years + change (7 semesters). Both UIC and Depaul gave me a tentative course plan and they seem similar.

2) Cost: About the same for each but UIC might be a teeensy bit cheaper (for in-state students, which I am). However, the per-credit rate at UIC is lower because of the extra length.

3) NCLEX passing rates: I think they are similar. Neither program described that in much detail at the info sessions.

4) Ranking: I'm not sure. I know UIC is the top-rated undergraduate program in the state but I am not sure for grad. There are only 3 grad programs in the Chicago area like this and they're all pretty competitive.

5) Hospital placements: UIC didn't go over this very much. However, for both schools, their clinical sites are all over the Chicago area (not just at the hospitals across the street). The program director at DePaul mentioned that they take your preferences into consideration in terms of clinical placement (ie, if you REALLY wanted to rotate at Northwestern but don't care what area, they would place you at Northwestern, or if you really wanted to do an ER rotation but you don't care what hospital, they may try to place you in the ER but it could be at Loyola maywood). Again, UIC didn't go over this at the presentation so maybe they do; perhaps a current GEP student (even though the programs have changed) could weigh in about their clinical placements?

Hope this helps! Anyone have anything to add that they know?

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So far we have been placed at Northwestern, UIC, Jesse Brown VA, and Arlington Heights at Northwest Community for our first rotation. Our upcoming rotations are at Northwestern, UIC, Stroger, and MacNeal. Classes in the past were allowed to make a list of where they wanted to go, but we were not given that option, we just go where we are assigned. Maybe they will bring back preferences for your class, but I wouldn't count on it. But I did not hear much complaining from my class, I think it was understood from the beginning that we may need to travel and that it is our responsibility. Our clinicals are only two or three days a week, so even if it is a far commute, it isn't every day. And everyone is having great experiences, so as far as good training goes that it a given. And as you can see, most sites are in Chicago anyway. Hope that helps.

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Do you know where we can see the tentative course plan? I am deciding between two schools. UIC is two semesters longer and it would be helpful to see why... also do you know how many clinical hours would we get in the program?

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