Direct entry and graduate entry programs II

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Hello all,

Its been mentioned before about ending our thread and starting a new one. Think it was tried a few months ago.

Maybe it is time now, seeing as the thread is 72 pages long. That is sort of hard for a new reader to sift through to see where we are now, don't you agree?

Gen

p.s. still waiting for my interview information! agh

Big Mexican population in Chicago in neighborhoods like Little Village. You can buy elotes on the street corner, aquas off of carts (so many recipes for Orchata you are bound to find one you like) and my personal favorite, mangos on a stick. My neighbor used to make chicken tamales every weekend that were so great, that is all I would eat all weekend sometimes. THere are also really good restaurants in of all places, Ukrainian Village, which is more Mexican than Ukrainian these days. So I wasn't thinking of the Bell!

in reference to chicago!

:rotfl: as a 2nd generation southern californian you made my day with this one. :rotfl:

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Thank you, Jen and fotografe! I do so appreciate your thoughts on this. I suppose I just need to figure out if I truly intend on being in New England after graduation or not and then I can make a good decision. I have heard so many great things about Chicago...the people are much nicer than those from new england, it is a much slower city compared to Boston, and there is so much to do and see in Chicago! The cultural diversity has also certainly been highlighted. You know what else someone told me? They said that the medical practices are also different in the midwest compared to new england. For instance, where new england does not push testing (on the patients) and medical facilities tend to be understaffed, the midwest do lot's of testing and are overstaffed. Have you guys heard this as well? I find that really interesting and am curious as to why there is such a difference between different parts of the country. I am sure that a lot of these differences are rooted in money/cost factors, but I still find it interesting.

And thank you also for the mexican food descriptions! Mmmm, I love mexican food!

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Hmm, I only know Chicago from a patients point of view, but it seemed a lot fewer tests were ordered vs. here in Boston (for me personally anyway). I also had much less time waiting for appointments here in Boston. This was 10 years ago, but you never know.

I have heard that NPs have a rough time in Illinois (I think they are much more regulated and limited than in other states), and you should talk to those practicing there. I don't know how it compares to being an NP in Boston. I did have a great gyn NP at the WOmen's Health Center at Illinois Masonic (might be where DePaul does some of it s clinicals). Post on the Illinois board to get more info from the source.

I love Chicago, not so much Boston, but I am a Midwesterner and we are kind of fish out of water here on the east coast. I think having the opportunity to live in another city is something not to pass up. You may well end up back here in New England because of family (and that will really matter when you have kids!) Opportunities sometimes present themselves one time only. I tell college students the same thing about studying abroad. Go now, cause when you are older it is hard to pack up and go like that.

I jumped at the opportunity to live in NYC, DC and Philly when I was younger and I am glad I did. I am even glad I moved here to Boston, even though I pine for the City of Big Shoulders. Chicago is more metropolitan than Boston -- it is bigger, faster and has all the ups and downs as any city of its size does.

You may love it, you may hate it and run screaming back to New England, but you will have the experience. That for me is worth it alone.

The other thing you might do before you decide is talk to some places you might want to work as an NP here in NE. Ask if they see it as a negative if you train in Chicago.

Good luck.

Thank you, Jen and fotografe! I do so appreciate your thoughts on this. I suppose I just need to figure out if I truly intend on being in New England after

graduation or not and then I can make a good decision. I have heard so many great things about Chicago...the people are much nicer than those from new england, it is a much slower city compared to Boston, and there is so much to do and see in Chicago! The cultural diversity has also certainly been highlighted. You know what else someone told me? They said that the medical practices are also different in the midwest compared to new england. For instance, where new england does not push testing (on the patients) and medical facilities tend to be understaffed, the midwest do lot's of testing and are overstaffed. Have you guys heard this as well? I find that really interesting and am curious as to why there is such a difference between different parts of the country. I am sure that a lot of these differences are rooted in money/cost factors, but I still find it interesting.

And thank you also for the mexican food descriptions! Mmmm, I love mexican food!

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Specializes in Postpartum.

I have heard that NPs have a rough time in Illinois (I think they are much more regulated and limited than in other states), and you should talk to those practicing there. I don't know how it compares to being an NP in Boston.

I've heard the same thing about the regulations on NPs in Illinois- it's definitely something to look into. A friend of mine's sister was an NP in California and moved to Chicago and was disgusted that she could no longer prescribe without a cosign from an MD. She ended up going to medical school and leaving nursing behind altogether- so if she moved again she wouldn't have to worry about her autonomy being limited- a MD is an MD anywhere you go in the US.

-Jess

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Specializes in Postpartum.
Hello everyone,

I emailed the graduate coordinator at UIC to ask if they knew the estimated date of final decions yet...couldn't resist!

She emailed back and said they are trying their best to mail out the letters on May 16th.

Oh gosh, a week and a half or so...

Gen and Courtney- the letters could quite possibly be in the mail today!!! Yikes! Fingers crossed for both of you!

I got some great unexpected news from BC today. When I got my acceptance letter there was nothing in it about any tuition remission scholarship awards- like they said there would be if I had qualified (they are competitive and merit based). So, I assumed that I was good enough (or maybe lucky enough) to get in- but that more qualified candidates must have been granted the scholarship money. Well, I got a letter today from BC saying I'd been awarded 11 credits of tuition remission for this school year!! I can't believe it! Some accepted applicants who were offered the scholarship money earlier must have decided to go to other programs, I guess. I'm so psyched!!! Just had to share!

I'm about to start Organic Chem tomorrow and my Micro online (yipes!) class starts in two weeks. How is everyone else doing?

-Jess

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Gen and Courtney- the letters could quite possibly be in the mail today!!! Yikes! Fingers crossed for both of you!

I got some great unexpected news from BC today. When I got my acceptance letter there was nothing in it about any tuition remission scholarship awards- like they said there would be if I had qualified (they are competitive and merit based). So, I assumed that I was good enough (or maybe lucky enough) to get in- but that more qualified candidates must have been granted the scholarship money. Well, I got a letter today from BC saying I'd been awarded 11 credits of tuition remission for this school year!! I can't believe it! Some accepted applicants who were offered the scholarship money earlier must have decided to go to other programs, I guess. I'm so psyched!!! Just had to share!

I'm about to start Organic Chem tomorrow and my Micro online (yipes!) class starts in two weeks. How is everyone else doing?

-Jess

Congratulations! That is SO FANTASTIC! You are one lucky woman! :balloons: :balloons:

Smile123

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I'm about to start Organic Chem tomorrow and my Micro online (yipes!) class starts in two weeks. How is everyone else doing?

-Jess

Hi Jess,

I'm stressed because I'm in the throes of moving! I am sorting, tossing, recycling, storing my "stuff" - what stays in storage in California, which gets mailed to Hopkins , and which goes with me in my little car as I drive across the country. I think moving can be cathartic, but I find it amazing as to how much stuff I accumulated over the years! :uhoh21: Once I'm on the road, I'll be fine. But this final week will be very intense! Good luck on your classes Jess! You'll do great!

Smile123

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Specializes in Ortho, Med surg and L&D.
Gen and Courtney- the letters could quite possibly be in the mail today!!! Yikes! Fingers crossed for both of you!

I got some great unexpected news from BC today.

Well, I got a letter today from BC saying I'd been awarded 11 credits of tuition remission for this school year!!

I'm about to start Organic Chem tomorrow and my Micro online (yipes!) class starts in two weeks. How is everyone else doing?

-Jess

Hello Jess,

Nice to hear your good news!! How very nice!! You deserve it!

I could not help but to check my email all day yesterday because I was hoping that it would be emailed as well as mailed, (the first cohort got emails I think but, had short notice...)

Friday was the last day of my semester but, now I am still completing a senior seminar project, (oh my gosh, working my tail off day in and out, poor hubby had been waiting for that --final weekend of the semester--but alas, he got not dinner from me and all I did was work at the computer!!) What a good one he is, to bring me dinner and not make a fuss while I was working.

Sigh, I better make sure to consider him and his side of things (when) if I get into UIC, (or DePaul!)

Gen

p.s. the minute I get any news at all....I coming here!!

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Specializes in Ortho, Med surg and L&D.
Hi Gen,

My interview went pretty well. They are accepting 8 or so out of the 15 who interviewed.

I was dying to know when they are letting us know. Not until the 16th?? I was hoping to know any time now. What a bummer.

I'm glad your interview went well. Good luck!

Courtney

Hello Courtney!!

Good for you! Wow, they are taking 8/15? For medical surgical it was 2/40!

Holey cow, I am anxious though, you must be too!! I have my fingers crossed Courtney and truly, truly hope that the two of us get to meet in Pathophysiology class!!

As an alumni I can audit classes at my current school for free and am auditing Pathophysiology this summer, (and taking Nursing Mathmatics in the fall).

Was your interview in the main nursing center? Ours was in room 145, Kate was there as well as several others and Patrick took us on a little tour of the practical clinical room and then up to the donated museum from Cook County Hospital, (before it became Stroeger).

I also hope that you and I get to eventually sign up on the--UIC GEP 2006 yahoo group!-- I have been reading the UIC GEP 2005 group, to watch the first cohort's reaction. Its tough!

Ahhh, the wait, the wait, we can make it!

Gen

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Specializes in Ortho, Med surg and L&D.
Hi Jess,

I'm stressed because I'm in the throes of moving! I am sorting, tossing, recycling, storing my "stuff" - what stays in storage in California, which gets mailed to Hopkins , and which goes with me in my little car as I drive across the country. I think moving can be cathartic, but I find it amazing as to how much stuff I accumulated over the years! :uhoh21: Once I'm on the road, I'll be fine. But this final week will be very intense! Good luck on your classes Jess! You'll do great!

Smile123

Oh Smile!!

Good luck, relax, sleep, (if you can) hydrate, eat, pack some nourishment, your mind must be going a mile a minute and your body is probably running on high energy.

Hydrate, eat, try to rest, (I know,probably not possible!) repeating...

Good luck!!! Try to check in with us if you can while you travel, okay? Post a note from the highways and byways so we can encourage you.

Have you driven cross country before? I am sure you will do great!

:)

Gen

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Specializes in Global Health Informatics, MNCH.
in reference to chicago!

:rotfl: as a 2nd generation southern californian you made my day with this one. :rotfl:

You'll be happy to know that Columbia HSC is near some of the best Mexican restaurants in the city, especially if poblanan food is your style.

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Specializes in Postpartum.
Oh Smile!!

Good luck, relax, sleep, (if you can) hydrate, eat, pack some nourishment, your mind must be going a mile a minute and your body is probably running on high energy.

Hydrate, eat, try to rest, (I know,probably not possible!) repeating...

Good luck!!! Try to check in with us if you can while you travel, okay? Post a note from the highways and byways so we can encourage you.

Have you driven cross country before? I am sure you will do great!

:)

Gen

Thanks Gen and Smile for your congrats!

Gen- I have fingers and toes crossed for you as you wait for your letter from UIC. I sooo remember that wait- and it is excruciating! It will be over soon enough and you will be on your way to planning out the next phase of your life!

Smile- eat and hydrate! That's great advice. I've always wanted to drive cross country! I think it will be fun- and yes- do email from the road and let us know how you are doing and what you are seeing!

-Jess

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