GEP programs (questions)

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I've been looking into the GEP programs in the Chicago area. I'm a bit confused because I was first looking into the program at UIC and it says the FIRST part of the program takes 15 months, the master's portion takes another 2-4 years beyond that. However, the Rush site, though it doesn't give as much info, seems to say you complete the entire MSN in less than 2 years. Is that true? When you graduate, are you a Nurse Practitioner in a specialty (Family practice, pediatrics, mental health, etc)??? Same with DePaul, the entire program is less than 2 years... Are the programs at DePaul and Rush just different from the program at UIC?

Also, I did pretty well in undergrad, but I haven't done much since graduating a couple years ago (I have a young daughter and I've been mostly home with her). Do they generally only accept people who have lots of clinical experience?

Last, what are the approximate hours of these programs. UIC says it's about 30 hours a week for the "full time" portion. Rush and DePaul don't say. And are the hours pretty much scattered (as in some nights, some weekends, some days)? Do you have a regular schedule week-to-week? Just trying to figure out the child care end of it.

Thanks in advance

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Specializes in Burns, ICU.

DePaul's program is full time and you have a masters in nursing at the end. You do NOT have an APN. UIC's not sure about.... same with Rush. And DePaul is full time - so think of it like a full time job - that many hours if not more a week.

Good luck

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Specializes in Urgent Care NP, Emergency Nursing, Camp Nursing.

Am at DePaul, can second what livingthedream said. It is a two-year program, especially if you enter in the Winter cohort rather than the fall since you get an extra summer term. You'll end up with a generalist master's as well as your RN, but get half the courses for an APN done. You'll still have all your APN clinical hours left to do, plus a few other classes. The schedule is more or less consistent on a week-to-week basis, but the schedules do change from quarter to quarter.

As for Rush and UIC - UIC kicks you out with an APN, which you apply directly to when you submit your application. I know that UIC is full-time for the RN and then encourages you to work through the master's portion, though apparently you know that already. Rush does a generalist master's but is set up differently from DePaul. I know you get your CNL certification, whatever that'll do for you, but I'm not sure if you'll get any APN work done.

One of the reasons for DePaul and Rush doing a generalist-entry masters rather than an ABSN program is that doing a master's opens up Federal GradPLUS loans to students - making it easier for students to finance and, if you're very, very lucky and get into the right program, have the government forgive the loans.

If you have further questions, don't hesitate to ask!

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Thanks for the responses. I get the feeling that DePaul's program is very good from the posts I've read. What are the approximate hours? As in, is it a 40 hours a week 9-5 type thing?

I'm also looking into the possibility of just doing a BSN program first (looking at Lewis since that's nights and weekends which would make child care a bit easier). Are there any major advantages of doing a GEP program? Should I have hospital experience before applying to a GEP program? Do you generally take out private loans to pay for the remainder of the tuition? It seems that the programs are all pretty expensive and federal loans don't totally cover the tuition.

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AIt is a two-year program, especially if you enter in the Winter cohort rather than the fall since you get an extra summer term.

Are you saying it is BETTER to enter in the winter so you get that extra semester?

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Specializes in Urgent Care NP, Emergency Nursing, Camp Nursing.

Wouldn't know - I'm not in both cohorts at once, so I can't compare. :-P

The major advantage to various graduate-entry programs ("GEP Program" is redundant...), besides the money situation, is that they get you a lot closer to being an APN than just an ABSN program. If that's what you want to do, they're a good option. If you just want to be a floor nurse, other options might be better.

Again, you really need to look up the GradPLUS loan - it DOES cover most/all the tuition, and then some.

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Specializes in Burns, ICU.

I am in the shorter version of the Cohort... I did it this way since it is shorter - ie. less tuition, and more potential $$.. on the other hand, graduating off season in Dec. may make jobs easier to find in todays economy.

I find that if you want to be an APN or just do anything in management later (hospital) the Masters will help. My current bosses job is open.... and it requires a masters and two years supervisory exp. So BSN would not help there....

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

To give you an idea of the amount of hours you are in class (the time you put in outside of class is of course up to you) here is my schedule for this quarter (third quarter of the 7):

Monday: Theory 5-8pm

Tuesday: Psych/Rehab: 1:40-4:40, Advanced Assessment: 5-7 (sometimes 5-9 but then I don't have lab on TH)

Wednesday: Clinical 7-2ish pm

Thursday: Lab 5-7 (when I don't have it on Tuesdays, so about five weeks)

Previous quarters were similar, with one day a week being an 8 hour day, one clinical day, and one or and two other days being light. I find that I am capable of working 10-15 hours a week and still excelling in my classes as well.

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Thanks for that schedule. That really helps. What program are you in?

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