DePaul MENP Program Admissions

TheSquire, DNP, APRN, NP · Feb 11, 2018

Search the student nursing boards; there are a number of threads addressing DePaul's MENP, Rush's GEM, and other programs in the city.

heythatsmybike · Jul 9, 2018

Don't do this program. It's two years long, the masters isn't technically an MSN it's an MS and it's over 80k and doesn't do a whole lot extra for you. No grants, if you qualify GPA wise after a semester or two you can get a deduction for TAing but it's competitive and has to be renewed every quarter so it's never guaranteed. I'm assuming you have a prior bachelors. If time is no option the cheapest option is to do the community college RN route and do the RN-BSN option while working as an RN (paid partially or fully by the hospital that you work at that still hires non BSN RNs if you're lucky to do that) or if you were older like me, do the accelerated BSN route in 12-16 months. PM me if you wanted any more insight

TheSquire, DNP, APRN, NP · Jul 9, 2018

Don't do this program. It's two years long, the masters isn't technically an MSN it's an MS and it's over 80k and doesn't do a whole lot extra for you.

1. 2 years is standard for master's entry; it's the same as the GEM across town at Rush

2. The MSN/MS distinction is entirely semantic, and related only to the history of DePaul's school of nursing. It has nothing to do with the quality or qualifications of the degree itself.

3. If you say that it does nothing for you, you've obviously not gone on to advanced practice or other post-graduate work in nursing. I ended up with no additional debt for my doctorate/FNP since I was able to adjunct while I was in my program, thanks to having the master's, plus I got to skip over a bunch of the fluffy classes since I'd already taken them.

heythatsmybike · Jul 16, 2018

I'm aware two years is standard, just didn't think the MS is worth the 80k+ that they charge. Looking forward to CRNA school, they had told me only two classes would transfer (only into their CRNA

Program, not Rush) which didn't seem like a huge incentive to put myself further into debt for. As far as adjuncting while in FNP school, that's actually a great idea if you are to find that opportunity. Most students just work in the ICU for the first two years and do pretty well, plus Rush pays a stipend. I just don't think the MS route, esp at a private university, is worth it if time and cost are important to you. You can arrive at the same end, advanced practice or not with far less debt if you play your cards right.

Kin · Jun 24, 2019

I think the tuition for MSN at DePaul is just as expensive as any other nursing masters program. This degree allows for an easy transition into the DNP program as many courses overlap and the salary with MS is higher as you build up experience and you can take on leadership roles or purse research. It’s definitely an investment that pays off if played out well. No hospitals would hire a nurse with no BSN at least!

KBloom07 · Jun 24, 2019

12 minutes ago, Kin said:
I think the tuition for MSN at DePaul is just as expensive as any other nursing masters program. This degree allows for an easy transition into the DNP program as many courses overlap and the salary with MS is higher as you build up experience and you can take on leadership roles or purse research. It’s definitely an investment that pays off if played out well. No hospitals would hire a nurse with no BSN at least!

Thank you! That’s why I’m swallowing the price. I understand it’s an investment in my future. I’ve come to an internal understanding that I will be paying for my education for the rest of my life. It’s extremely sad and heartbreaking to know but helping babies live and get stronger helps with all of that.

heythatsmybike · Jun 24, 2019

It’s cost is comparable for other private universities in the Chicago area, but definitely not across the board. As far as I saw, only one class overlaps from the MENP program to the DNP tracks and that was NURS 540, so I’m not sure that’s helpful, especially if you went to this MS program banking on the fact you’d get into their DNP program. If your endgame is DNP, you can easily do that with an accelerated BSN (if you had a prior non nursing degree, although some exist that don’t require it) and save yourself $30k like I did in almost half the time. A lot of people applied to their DNPs of choice during our last semester and do them online while they work decent nursing jobs, many offsetting the coast with tuition reimbursement. I think masters entry programs are great, but you can get to DNP in less time and less money if you do your research, just a suggestion.

heythatsmybike · Jun 24, 2019

One other thing to note, this program doesn’t have the highest NCLEX pass rate. They continually misrepresent it at their open houses and interviews as high 90s. If you’re gonna pay Rush prices, you’d want to see better results in my opinion.

http://nursing.illinois.gov/PDF/IlApNursingEdProgPassRates.PDF

Kin · Jun 24, 2019

Thank you for offering a different perspective on this, my question is how is Accelerated BSN to DNP a faster track than MENP to DNP if getting BSN or MS in nursing takes approximately 2 yrs each and then additional 1-2 with Masters and 4 with BSN? As far as NCLEX stats go, I think it’s really up to an individual and how one studies, not so much school for the most part.

heythatsmybike · Jun 25, 2019

Accelerated programs are often 12-16 months and there are more of them compared to masters entry programs, so after applying to both I was able to start my accelerated BSN program way faster than the start date to the MENP program allowing me to finish with my BSN sooner within 15 months. From then I could have immediately started the DNP program the following month after graduation, meaning it would have taken me a little over 4 years to get my DNP. Just because you have an MS from DePaul, doesn’t exactly help get the DNP faster. If you look at the classes and the track requirements on the site, only 1 class transfers into their DNP program in all tracks and that’s even if you’re lucky enough to get into their DNP program after putting yourself through financial hell. If you’re looking at MSN-DNP programs, look closely because many require a formal MSN, which is not what you get from DePaul, you get a MS in Nursing, which sounds similar but is not (I went through the application process, confirmed this and talked with the school, despite what an earlier post stated). These are ones where you have a masters in CNS, Midwifery, etc. which is not the degree DePaul awards with their Masters programs. Most DNP programs are often 2-3.5 years long. So again, be careful.

NCLEX pass rates are compared because although schools must be accredited, they offer varying courses to get you your degree. For example, there are many schools that don’t require formal pharmacology or pathophysiology courses in their BSN programs. Historically these programs exhibit lower NCLEX rates (there’s a few posts about From disgruntled students on here). It is absolutely a reflection of the school, and what you’re saying is either the caliber of students is not that great (what you mentioned: not studying enough, etc) or the material delivered is not adequate. Some schools require ATI testing, or alternative baseline testing periodically throughout the degree to test their ability to pass the NCLEX (which is a school you want) and many do not. Either way, a school with a poor NCLEX performance collectively is not a school you would want to be associated with if your desire is to get into a great DNP program. Honestly, if a community college from my hometown is delivering the material best within the 12 months of their associates degree nursing program and getting an average of 96% first pass rate, I am seriously concerned why this 2 year private program is not doing better.

I will say that when I interviewed with DePaul they offered a stipend to those who were academically doing well once in the program to TA for other classes and get a significant (i believe 25% discount) off tuition for that quarter, but it was never guaranteed, only a small amount were able to get it, and it had to be renewed every quarter. You might be eligible for decent grad aid too. Going to their open house and discussing stuff with students first hand privately was also very revealing and helpful, so definitely do that if you haven’t already.

These are all questions you will probably want to start asking as you go down this path and select whats right for you. I know nurses who have done this program and have gone on to do extremely well, but if you’re trying to save money or are on a time crunch, do your research and look around there are so many options out there.

Kin · Jun 25, 2019

Thank you for your thorough, thoughtful response. From what I have researched most DNP programs require at least 1000 hours of clinical experience as an RN. What school did you get your accelerated BSN and then DNP from?