DePaul

Another question--

Is anyone enrolled in or a graduate of DePaul's Masters Entry Program? I'm considering attending and would love some first-hand impressions of the program, the teaching, the coursework, and what sort of jobs people did upon graduating.

Thanks.

Hello there,

I am half way through with a year to go to graduation, knocking on wood.

From what I have experienced, local hospitals are happy to hire us and have us, so far the reputation of the alumni before us is going well. As for the teaching, coursework and program, we are held to a high standard and have lots of stress imposed upon us. It may seem ridiculous but some of us, myself included, got frustrated and uptight over the smallest things until we got settled into the flow of it by quarter three. Some people went to ICU's upon their MENP graduation and others went to CCUs and so on.

I am happy with the program versus my initial choice of UIC's GEP program, turns out that I will complete my MSN/RN by the same time I would have merely completed the certificate to sit for the NCLEX-RN at UIC. However, each program is different and each of us chooses our program based upon different reasons too.

DePaul is costly, the two year tuition for the 107 credit hour program is costing me 42,000 alone. So I am living on my alternative student loans! WOW! What an investment!

For me, its worth it.

My suggestion is to really, really research the different programs in the area versus what you can commit to and what you are seaking.

Gen

I went to DePaul for undergrad.. they are very kind and really care about their students. I would highly recommend it. Its more like a family but very expensive. I guess its an investment.

I just graduated this past June from DePaul's MENP Program. It is OK. Not great, just OK. IMHO, Loyola would be a better choice. Most of the people I graduated got hired into the ICUs. There were a lot of people that went to Children's memorial. The cost is outrageous.

I guess it all depends on what your career goals are. I initially chose depaul so I could get a masters in a shorter amount of time. My long term goal is to get an NP certificate. If you really want your masters, then depaul is a decent choice. I would however, recommend that you gain some clinical experience working in a hospital as their clinical instruction is not very strong. I graduated with people who never saw a foley put in.

They focus more on nursing and family theory, research, the advanced practice nursing role. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Could you explain why you think Loyola would be a better choice? I'm definitely interested in one day pursuing masters-level nursing (either as an NP or CRNA) and I'm looking a both programs.

Well, I think Loyola is stronger when it comes to clinical instruction. I know students who go there and they have to have a checklist filled out with all of the clinical skills they practice in the clinical setting which depaul doesn't do.

Also, some of their clinical instructors haven't practiced nursing in a very long time so it makes a difference for the students. I do think that overall depaul is a good school.

I guess it depends on your career goals. If you plan on doing the NP or other type of advanced nursing program, then depaul is an ok choice. However, if you plan to be an RN without doing an advanced degree then a BSN is sufficient.

PM me if you have further questions.

Well, I think Loyola is stronger when it comes to clinical instruction. I know students who go there and they have to have a checklist filled out with all of the clinical skills they practice in the clinical setting which depaul doesn't do.

Also, some of their clinical instructors haven't practiced nursing in a very long time so it makes a difference for the students. I do think that overall depaul is a good school.

I guess it depends on your career goals. If you plan on doing the NP or other type of advanced nursing program, then depaul is an ok choice. However, if you plan to be an RN without doing an advanced degree then a BSN is sufficient.

PM me if you have further questions.

Hi,

Um, DePaul does have a checklist. We got it the very first day in 301, (for those who don't know how a master's entry course goes, the clinical portions for the first year are like a junior year BSN clinical courses).

I am totally stunned that you have cohortmates that graduated the program and never inserted a foley as my cohortgroup was doing this in our medical/surgical rotation in our second quarter, as well as inserting IVs? Maybe you clinical instructor was much different than ours but, we are rocking and rolling in our program, after the first quarter that is.

Gen

edited to add: three of my current clinical instructors are all currently working in the field. I suspect I know who your instructor was...you should have made arrangements had you not felt prepared, I am sorry for you.

Hi,

Um, DePaul does have a checklist. We got it the very first day in 301, (for those who don't know how a master's entry course goes, the clinical portions for the first year are like a junior year BSN clinical courses).

I am totally stunned that you have cohortmates that graduated the program and never inserted a foley as my cohortgroup was doing this in our medical/surgical rotation in our second quarter, as well as inserting IVs? Maybe you clinical instructor was much different than ours but, we are rocking and rolling in our program, after the first quarter that is.

Gen

edited to add: three of my current clinical instructors are all currently working in the field. I suspect I know who your instructor was...you should have made arrangements had you not felt prepared, I am sorry for you.

Well I STARTED THE PROGRAM in 2004 and WE DID NOT get a checklist! I HAVE ALREADY GRADUATED from this program so I can only speak from my experiences, not anyone else's. I have to say I really don't appreciate the condescending attitude, Miss Gen. I stated the truth when I said that there were people that were lacking skills in our program upon graduation. Like I said, that was MY EXPERIENCE. Even though you may be aware of who my clinical instructor was, you should realize that there was no way for me to make arrangements to have clinical with a different instructor because Depaul Department of Nursing is an INCREDIBLEY DISORGANIZED department as you may be already aware but choose not to admit to it. There were many a time when the department was SCRAMBLING to find clinical instructors the WEEK BEFORE THE QUARTER STARTED! Needless to say, this truly screwed up some people's schedules, not to mention their clinical experiences.

Anyways, I am sorry for you, Miss Gen, because I do not appreciate anyone questioning my integrity or my judgement. I have told the truth and if it is not pleasing to your ears, Miss Gen, then I would suggest that you choose not to comment on my experiences.

look at the other direct-enty MSN programs in the area, like UIC or Rush ... compare before you decide. Rush seems just as good, plus they have their own affiliated hospital/medical center while DPU doesn't (forcing students to run all over Chicago for clinicals) plus Rush is shorter overall.

oh yeah - also plan on having the RC viewpoint/dogma on ethical issues crammed down your throat