Depaul MSN/FNP vs. UIC MSN/FNP

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Hey all,

I've applied to both of these traditional MSN/FNP programs as I am already a BSN, RN. I just got accepted to Depaul's program. I am having trouble finding a lot of good information on the website, I've left a message with the academic adviser in an attempt to gain more information to make an educated decision.

I had an interview with UIC which I thought went very well, but you never know as they had a lot of people for only 30 or so seats!

I want to know if anyone here attends either of these *traditional* programs and how they like it?

Does anyone attend either of these part time and work full time? (this is what I plan to do but I'm not finding any part time information on Depaul)

I know UIC matches you to a clinical site so you don't go out looking for your own, how are Depaul's clinical sites?

I know UIC has a lot of classes online, but how about Depaul?

I understand that people say UIC is cheaper but I don't see how that is true, based on my calculations since they do per year tuition depending on a range of credit hours, it seems as if UIC will cost around 50K. Currently Depaul is 43k (but im sure the $$/credit hour will increase throughout the years).

UIC has a set tuition/year - will that include any classes taken in the summer semesters as well?

Sorry for the many questions, I've attempted contacting both institutions but they are closed at this hour it seems. And also looking for just some personal insight from anyone who did these programs.

Thanks in advance!

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Specializes in Emergency.

I went to DePaul for the MENP (Masters Entry to Nursing Practice) degree- which left me with an MS, RN and now I am currently in another state attending FNP post-grad program. Anyways, I liked DePaul and really had no problems with the nursing program. The professors are mostly the same for the Direct Entry MSN prgram. I thought they were all current in practice and were good educators. I felt VERY prepared when I started the workforce. I think I had a leg up on some of the other new nurses. There wasn't too many online courses, but i finished in 2008 so maybe they have incorporated more. I think I took 3 total and they were summer courses.

Problem is, if I were still in the Chicago area, I probabaly would have applied to UIC for the MSN program instead of finishing at DePaul. For some reason, I think DePaul was a little unorganized and not as good of a program. Most of my classmates are completing their MSN at DePaul though, and I think they are having a good time . I think DePaul matches you for a clinical site as well...that's how it was for my program...but I don't know.

Hope this helped at all...I know it was a different program, but i thought I would throw in my 2 cents....

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Thanks for your response!! Did you attend full time? Or did you know anyone attending part time?

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@TeleMeMore: Just curious, which start date did you apply for? I was looking at your post date, and assuming fall 2011. Is that correct?

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@TeleMeMore: Just curious, which start date did you apply for? I was looking at your post date, and assuming fall 2011. Is that correct?

Correct!

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Congrats!! There is a thread for depaul fall 2011, looks like youre the first to find out. When did you submit your app?

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I am graduating from DePaul's FNP program this June. The program is AWFUL. They just hired a new faculty member in August of 2010 and she is ruining the program! She failed some of my friends out of the program and drove some of them to leave DepAUL. The student's complained to the dean about this instructor and instead of them firing her, they promoted her!

She told the students in the cohort behind mine that DePaul's course of study for the FNP program was not acceptable according to DePaul's Department of Nursing or the Certification Agencies' standards... So, a lot of the students may not be able to graduate on time.

DePaul does not help you find clinical sites. They expect you to find your own... and if you don't you may end up in a Take Care Clinic for many semesters!

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I went to DePaul for the MENP (Masters Entry to Nursing Practice) degree- which left me with an MS, RN and now I am currently in another state attending FNP post-grad program. Anyways, I liked DePaul and really had no problems with the nursing program. The professors are mostly the same for the Direct Entry MSN prgram. I thought they were all current in practice and were good educators. I felt VERY prepared when I started the workforce. I think I had a leg up on some of the other new nurses. There wasn't too many online courses, but i finished in 2008 so maybe they have incorporated more. I think I took 3 total and they were summer courses.

Problem is, if I were still in the Chicago area, I probabaly would have applied to UIC for the MSN program instead of finishing at DePaul. For some reason, I think DePaul was a little unorganized and not as good of a program. Most of my classmates are completing their MSN at DePaul though, and I think they are having a good time . I think DePaul matches you for a clinical site as well...that's how it was for my program...but I don't know.

Hope this helped at all...I know it was a different program, but i thought I would throw in my 2 cents....

Hi,

I know this is kind of late, but I was reading your post and wondering if you could answer a few questions for me. After graduating from Depaul's MENP program, how long will it take you to become an APN-in your case FNP? I am interested in depaul's program but my goal is to become some sort of APN, and UIC has a program directly linked to APN. Any more advice, information, or experiences you would like to share would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

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Specializes in Emergency.

I am in a 2-year post-masters program right now. There are shorter ways to do it...basically if you stay at DePaul you can finish in another 3 semesters. Everyone in my program('08) was interested in working at least a year first- the first round of people I graduated with finished up last spring (2011) with their APRN. There are direct entry type programs, but my personal advice is, unless you have a very specific goal in mind that you know you will love, do your RN first and get some hands-on nursing experience. If nothing else, it makes other RN's respect you more. But there are definitely benefits to each type of program...Good Luck!

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thanks for your response!

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Hi De Paul Graduates and incoming cohort,

What were your stats like ? (GRE, gpa, extra curricular)

Thanks !!

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Hi, amb123456

I am new to this nursing forum/thread. I am getting accepted in DePaul MEPN program for Fall 2013. I have a questions regarding your post that you could continue your education as a FNP directly from MENP "if you stay at DePaul you can finish in another 3 semesters". Is it true? What qualification that let you do that (GPA, etc)?

I also have a question regarding job market after finishing your MENP portion. Is it hard to find a job without experience in nursing before?

Thank you

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