UIC Graduate Entry Program

sarasays · May 7, 2013

The person who sent out the email was the same as the person who notified us about interviews, at least for ACNP, if that helps! The "from" line should say her name, not UIC or anything. I hope you hear soon :)

jmonkeyjen · May 7, 2013

@Tuckella, I have heard very positive things about DePaul's MENP from current students-in terms of accessibility of the professors, clinical experience; and ability to get jobs once graduated. My first choice was UIC-due to its rank and the fact that you could specialize; but I am happy about DePaul. Not sure if you live in chicagoland area, but DePaul has information sessions about their nursing programs. I fully understand the prereqs, and you might want to look into Rush's graduate entry program too (their requirements are very similar to UIC!). I am planning to attend DePaul because I would like to start my journey to becoming a nurse asp, but I also was impressed with Rush's graduate entry generalist nursing program. I never looked at nursing schools outside of Illinois because my soon to be husband (I am getting married June 8) lives in Chicago; but there are many generalist graduate entry nursing programs that look like they would be great!

Kwolikowa · May 7, 2013

@elaurance See you at DePaul in the fall!! DePaul is a 2 year masters generalist program where you do not specialize-but graduate with MSN. Additionally, several of the graduate classes you take during DePaul's MENP program transfer over to other Masters/DNP specialized programs at DePaul. Supposedly, one can become a FNP within a year at DePaul after graduating from DePaul's MENP==as long as they work while attending DePaul's FNP master's certificate program. However, many students choose to work full time after graduating with MSN; and enrolling part time in DePaul's DNP program or NP graduate certificate program. I think UIC is actually changing their GEP program next year to be a generalist Masters Program like DePaul and Rush University (and several other universities). DePaul was first university to offer Generalist Masters Program in nursing. http://csh.depaul.edu/academics/graduate/nursing/Documents/GeneralNursingMENP6-1-11.pdf

@jmonkeyjen thank you so much for posting about this! I just began my application :) All is not lost after all...

torzorz · May 7, 2013

To jump on the DePaul bandwagon, I think the changes UIC is making after the 2014 cohort will mean the program is very similar to what DePaul and Rush offer. There's a push for generalist masters programs and specializing through the DNP route or post masters certificates. All conjecture though!

It's also nice that after 2 years you'll have an advanced degree where with UIC we'll have our RNs in 1.5 years but then an additional 2+ years of schooling before getting to that point. I personally didn't explore DePaul or Rush very much but I've spoken with students at the programs (briefly while I've been volunteering and they've been doing clinicals) and I've only heard positive things! Rush students where white scrubs though... that struck me as impractical :)

Tuckella · May 7, 2013

@Tuckella, I have heard very positive things about DePaul's MENP from current students-in terms of accessibility of the professors, clinical experience; and ability to get jobs once graduated. My first choice was UIC-due to its rank and the fact that you could specialize; but I am happy about DePaul. Not sure if you live in chicagoland area, but DePaul has information sessions about their nursing programs. I fully understand the prereqs, and you might want to look into Rush's graduate entry program too (their requirements are very similar to UIC!). I am planning to attend DePaul because I would like to start my journey to becoming a nurse asp, but I also was impressed with Rush's graduate entry generalist nursing program. I never looked at nursing schools outside of Illinois because my soon to be husband (I am getting married June 8) lives in Chicago; but there are many generalist graduate entry nursing programs that look like they would be great!

Awesome, thanks for the info!

Tuckella · May 7, 2013

To jump on the DePaul bandwagon, I think the changes UIC is making after the 2014 cohort will mean the program is very similar to what DePaul and Rush offer. There's a push for generalist masters programs and specializing through the DNP route or post masters certificates. All conjecture though!
It's also nice that after 2 years you'll have an advanced degree where with UIC we'll have our RNs in 1.5 years but then an additional 2+ years of schooling before getting to that point. I personally didn't explore DePaul or Rush very much but I've spoken with students at the programs (briefly while I've been volunteering and they've been doing clinicals) and I've only heard positive things! Rush students where white scrubs though... that struck me as impractical :)

Interesting, thank you

jmonkeyjen · May 7, 2013

@Tuckella DePaul wears navy blue scrubs lol . I am sure there are reasons for why they choose certain lab colors. I actually volunteer with a nurse who is a Rush MENP graduate; and she really enjoyed that school too! Today I asked her why she choose Rush:and she said Rush had DNP programs in psych-and she knew she wanted to work in mental health! Currently she is working as an RN; and attaining her DNP from Rush. She thought DePaul didnt offer a DNP specialization in mental health-but she wasnt positive if that is still the case. In my case, I want to be a Adult-Gerontology NP or Family NP and they do have that at DePaul. Rush's website though could use some enhancements too lol. Good luck to everyone, and I am sure all there programs are excellent. I have heard very good things about MU master generalist program too!

ncami10 · May 7, 2013

I got waitlisted for occ health/fnp, had a feeling after the interview when they said only 4-5 out of the 20 or so applicants there would get in. I switched from FNP originally and wasn't too crazy about the extra year of schooling to get the occ health, and am a strong believer that everything happens for a reason. Congrats to everyone who did get in though, you will LOVE UIC! Sorry to everyone else that didn't get in or got waitlisted, just try to remember this year was extremely competitive, usually the class size is over 70, this year was cut to about 50 at the last second.

I will probably work in my research lab here at UIC for another year and reapply next year, and possibly also to Rush and Depaul. I know they might be changing up the GEP program a little so I'm hoping it will still suit me when the time comes. Anyone else thinking about waiting another year to apply to UIC or is everyone just going somewhere else?

hi616 · May 7, 2013

The worst outcome for me personally would be having to wait an additional year. I'm praying DePaul or Rush accepts me. I loved Rush's program. DePaul is fine, but I've already done four years with DePaul and I think a change would be beneficial for me. I would still accept a spot if offered one though.

ncami10 · May 7, 2013

@hi - I really hope you get in, you originally applied FNP correct? I just think we were just put in a really bad position when that happened. I really don't want to wait another year either. Still pretty upset about not getting in.

I majored in Physiology and Neurobiology in my undergrad (out of college for 1 year now) but never had to take Microbiology, even though I've taken every other type of bio out there, none of them will cover Rush's Microbio pre-req. So if I wanted to apply to Rush for the spring I would need to take summer school on top of my 2 jobs this summer so I just don't know if that's possible.....really beating myself up for not 100% covering that specific class in college.

I have been thinking about sending in my app to Depaul, but I already live walking distance from UIC/Rush and always had my heart set on those, but I guess things are different now. Still debating and trying to figure it all out now.

rainkissedleaves · May 7, 2013

@Tuckella DePaul wears navy blue scrubs lol . I am sure there are reasons for why they choose certain lab colors. I actually volunteer with a nurse who is a Rush MENP graduate; and she really enjoyed that school too! Today I asked her why she choose Rush:and she said Rush had DNP programs in psych-and she knew she wanted to work in mental health! Currently she is working as an RN; and attaining her DNP from Rush. She thought DePaul didnt offer a DNP specialization in mental health-but she wasnt positive if that is still the case. In my case I want to be a Adult-Gerontology NP or Family NP and they do have that at DePaul. Rush's website though could use some enhancements too lol. Good luck to everyone, and I am sure all there programs are excellent. I have heard very good things about MU master generalist program too![/quote']
Does MU stand for Marquette? Yeah, they have a good one as well. I am starting 3 days after I graduate with a bachelors... Phew!

sittenfeld · May 7, 2013

I've contemplated applying to Rush or De Paul, but a part of me feels that I might be forcing things to happen that might not be the best thing for me necessarily. A part of me just doesn't want to take the time and effort (at least right now) of collecting LORs, putting together personal statements, etc., for schools that I originally didn't intend on applying to.

Most likely, I will be retaking a stats class over the summer and preparing applications for this fall. Also planning on taking Microbiology in the fall ( since I have to now... lol). If UIC has their new program developed by then, I will definitely consider sending in an application. Otherwise I will be applying to other schools this fall.