Tstef_1

I would go for the adult ED if you already work as a tech in the peds ED. Sure, it's not RN experience but it's still peds experience you can use if you want to transfer later. You'll lose a lot of your adult knowledge working only in peds and you will need it when you want to work with adults and kids. As the other poster said, ideally you would just work in a mixed ED that sees both adults and peds if you want to end up working with both.

Now that it's been a few months, what did you end up choosing? Did you start yet?

Just wanted to come to say I LOVE all of these answers! Super great. I've only worked in the ED and I don't regret my choice at all. From what I've heard from others, it's so much easier to transition from ED to ICU if you want later on. You get experience in EVERYTHING in the ED so I feel like it's a better choice (overall, but especially if you're not sure about what you want yet) and gives you so many more options in the future. 100% recommend starting in the ED. But I'm totally not biased at all ? Side note I did have a fellow nursing student start in the cardiac ICU and she got burnt out really fast because those patients are heavy, emotionally and medically.

I do not think it would be possible to work full time. Some people have managed to keep working 1-2 days/week max. Classes and clinical take 20-30 hours a week, plus assignments and class work at home take a lot of time. Class and clinical are only offered at one time so you would need a flexible job that you can schedule around. Maybe it's different with the online MENP, I'm not sure how that works.

I completely agree with this. I actually went to Elmhurst for undergrad and I loved it! Then I went to a huge research university in Belgium for my masters degree and I did not like the experience of being at such a big school (obviously many other things were different in this situation as well, but everything else was positive except the size). The community, faculty, and whole experience at Elmhurst is amazing. Everyone is super supportive and helpful. Another plus for me is that Elmhurst has a much better location and I wasn't super keen to commute downtown. I look forward to starting with you in the fall!

Sorry I don't have any specific insights into the programs, but one thing to consider is if the CNL certification is important to you. I'm not positive, but I believe only the Elmhurst and Rush programs offer the CNL certification and not UIC or DePaul. I've also heard that you're pretty much guaranteed a job at Rush after graduation from the program so if you're really interested in working there, that'd be another thing to consider (assuming you're also admitted there).

I'm not sure if there are more, but DePaul also uses the MENP title for masters entry in nursing practice. Every school seems to call it something different though. Elmhurst did start a DNP program this year too.

Yes, I accepted! Elmhurst was my first choice ?

Hi! I had my interview in mid December and received my acceptance the first week of January. I don't think you need to be worried about the writing portion. Assuming it's the same, they sent me something to read a few weeks before the interview and they sent the writing prompt the morning of the interview (even though they said they wouldn't send it until after the interview portion). As long as you've read the document they send you, it should be fine! It was like 3 paragraphs of writing so I don't think they expect a huge essay or anything since you only have 30 minutes (again, they said 30 minutes in the email, but at the end of the interview, they just asked to email it to them by the end of the day - I still sent it in 30 min to be safe). The interview itself was also fine, they're all very nice. It was pretty short, they only ask a few set questions (strength and weakness, why nursing, about your support system, one word to describe yourself, etc) and some conversation in between. Good luck!