weezbug123

I haven't heard anything about orientation, but I think it is usually held in July. I haven't heard anything from the financial aid office either, and I'm starting to get a bit nervous.

Congrats to everyone that got in!! I accepted my seat as well and can't wait to start. I have a BSN already in an unrelated field and was considering doing a direct entry program for a master's in nursing. But, I really think this is the way to go - cheaper tuition, closer to my home, and uh, did I mention cheaper? I still want to eventually get my NP, just not sure what specialty. Is anyone taking the CNA class over the summer at CoD?

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I think that is exactly the response I needed! I cannot tell you how long I have been agonizing over taking the seemingly 'less sophisticated' way out with a community college. (bad way to put it, I know -but I can't think of a more eloquent way to put it) Money is an issue since we just bought our first house and are planning a wedding. I almost put aside College of DuPage completely, but I think I'll dust off their application that's been sitting on my desk for months! Hopefully I can actually get into their program!! Wouldn't that be ironic, if I didn't! Thanks again and, really, best of luck to you in your new career!

Thanks so much for the response!! I keep going back and forth with whether I want to do the run-of-the-mill ADN program for 2 years and save money, or get the schooling quickly and start my real career. So, after reading some of the comments about Loyola's and West Suburban's ABSN, I was super dissapointed. Your comments were very helpful. :) I'd love to eventually become an NP or PhD-RN, but I'm just not sure what fits with my finances, if I can stand to be far away from my fiance, and if having a BSN is really that much more respected than a regular ADN with a BA in a different field. How was the loan situation at Loyola - Was the financial aid office willing to work with you? How long have you been looking for a job? (if you don't mind me asking) The economy and job outlook has to start improving, so keep your chin up. I'm sure something will land in your lap soon!

RNIllini, couldn't help notice that you seem a little unhappy with Loyola's ABSN program. It was one of the programs I was interested in, but after doing some research on this site...wow! It seems like there are an awful lot of unhappy Loyola graduates! You mention the politics of the school, what do you mean exactly? Are the professors good? How is the atmosphere? Sorry for all the questions, just curius for some comments from a student that graduated recently. Thanks!

I absolutely agree with you!! This is a ridiculous field to get into, and I am sooooo frustrated! I graduated in 2004 magna cum laude with a degree in philosophy and pre-med. After college, I took a job as a patient representative. I got some experience in a hospital setting and realized I wasn't so sure that being a doctor was what I wanted. I was drawn to nursing, but it is next to impossible to satisfy the ridiculously specific requirements each different program has!!!!! I had all the pre-reqs necessary to get into med school, but apparently not to get into a nursing program!? There's seriously something wrong with that! I recently attended an open house for an accelarated BSN program, and apparently, I have to take a history course! How do you graduate school without a history course of some sort. You can't! - but b/c the class doesnt match the EXACT pre-req the program wants, I have to retake history. No exceptions. Oh, and the year long sequence of organic chemistry that I took (and got A's in) does not match their LOWER one-semester course sequence of organic the program requires. So, I have to re-take that class as well. Ridiculous! So, students work their butts off to get into nursing school. They work their butts off once they are IN a program. They graduate, and can't even find a JOB? There is something seriously malfunctioning in the field of nursing, and I'm beginning to feel like maybe the root cause is not due to budget cuts, a nursing shortage, etc. I'm beginning to think it starts at the very foundation of a nurse's career! If we (potential/current students) are this jaded by nursing already, there is something wrong with that! I'm with you....to be OR not to be a nurse? That is the question!

It was the only program I applied to at the time - I wasn't sure if I wanted to go to DePaul or Rush's MSN direct entry program b/c you only graduate with a Clinical Nurse Leader designation (which isn't as recognized as an actual NP). I know, you should always apply to more than one program. But, at the time, my fiance and I were in the process of buying our first house, and applying to other programs seemed way overwhelming (not to mention the fact that the deadline for UIC program doesn't coincide with any other schools). My plan was to apply to other schools later in the year when their deadlines rolled around. I was frustrated with UIC, and began questioning if I really wanted to be in school, away from my fiance, racking up an exorbitant amount of debt, for about 2.5 years just to have a masters degree that may not necessarily be recognized by potential employers. I started looking into Loyola's accelarated BSN program. But, the expiration on my A&P I class I took 5 yrs ago is up. So, I'm currently re-taking that class, just to be able to apply to any programs. Oh, plus they say I have to take a freaking history class before I can even apply! Oh, and another accelarated program that I looked into said that the year of organic I took in college (which I rec'd A's) is not the same pre-requisite that they require. So, I now have to go back and take a lower level of the organic that I aced. I'm beginning to feel like nursing may not be for me. There are just too many hoops I have to jump through. Taking a history class....seriously?! That is on their list of what's crucial for students? My original degree was philosophy and pre-med - I'm considering going back to the med school route, maybe law school. It's longer schooling, more money, but I stand to make more money in the long run. And, at least with a law or med program they won't waste my time with remedial requirements. Sorry to be a bit of a downer. I think nursing is an excellent field, don't get me wrong. I wish I had gotten my RN instead of a philosophy degree, but I'm tired of all the hoops! I haven't given up on it altogether...yet, just venting. What other program are you looking into?

Hi Hopkins! U sound like an excellent candidate for the GEP program. I think your experience and background will definitely improve your chances. I graduated magna cum laude in 2004 with a BA in philosophy. I worked at a hospital for about two years doing non-profit work. I didn't have much experience in a health care setting, so your 10 yrs experience will be a plus. I think they receive the highest number of applications for Family and Acute Care NP. So, the other specialties may not be as competitive. I applied for the Acute Care NP program, and they have about 7 seats open every January (or did for 2009). They asked about 40 people for interviews for those 7 seats, and I was one of them. But, didn't get a seat. So, what I say next may seem a bit bitter... The program has an amazing reputation, however, going into the interview, I had some concerns about the school itself. If you go back to about March/April 2009, you'll see many frustrated posts from applicants to the GEP program. The school had some serious internal miscommunications regarding the whole interview process. People from the office were giving out incorrect timeframes for when applicants would be notified if they made interviews. They were WAY behind schedule, which is totally understandable given the number of applications. But instead of telling applicants something vague like, 'you will be notified within the next two weeks', they'd say something specific like 'if you were requested for an interview, you will know by this Friday". Of course, when Friday rolled around and still no one from ACNP had been asked for an interview, we all called and called, and the person in charge of Admissions (I think his name was Chris Ocampo in 2009) was out for vacation. Then, applicants that were asked for an interview were given only 2 weeks to request time off and make travel arrangements. Again, not such a huge deal. The kicker though, was the actual interview. In the email notifying us of interview time and location, it said the whole interview process would last several hours. With a group interview the first hour, then a tour and open house of the school. Very vague. We get through 45 minutes of interview, then the interviewer actually ask US where we should be going next. We all look at one another, and go 'uh, we were hoping you might know.' So, she just dismissed us. A week or so later, I get a rejection email. A paper letter may have been a bit more official and even weirdly gratifying, but, alas ... it's the age of technology! So, these are all really small issues. The school has a great reputation and an awesome program. Maybe, they were having a few rough weeks, so it wasn't an accurate reflection of the entire program. But, I couldn't help thinking, if the school was that messed up just through the interview process, how would my financial aid or something equally important be handled? Again, tremendous program, just be prepared to wade through a lot of issues when applying. Good luck!

Thanks, Judr. To be honest, my interview was absolutely HORRIBLE (I was practically in tears by the time I left!) - so I'm not surprised by the rejection. I'm looking at Rush and DePaul's master's programs. But, they are so expensive and are full-time for longer than UIC's program. I'd hate to be away from my fiance and dooger for that long! I'm also considering Loyola's accelerated BSN program as well. I eventually want to get my NP, but I don't really want to pay Rush or Depaul's private school tuition rates. I'm thinking I may be better off getting my BSN in 15 months, working to get experience, and then have my employer pay for grad school. But, good luck to you - I think it's a good sign you haven't heard yet. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for everyone else!

I applied to Acute Care, and I found out last night I was rejected. Yuck. Good luck to everyone else, and congrats to all who do get in!

I don't know what the format will be - I hope it isn't a group interview. Those can be so intimidating! Ast8 is A&P the only class you are taking? I'm in the second half of A&P II as well, but I still have to take the research methods course. None of the schools near me offer Research Methods, so I may have to take the expensive online one.

Me too! I'm so excited! Now I have to start my search for an interview suit...

Judr - where in Chicago are you? Any other Chicagoans? I work in Naperville and live in Plainfield.

Thank you so much for the info Judr! I'm still holding my breath too until I get the email. Let's hope they actually send it today - b/c if they don't, I think we will all be 100 times more confused, nervous, and frustrated than we are now!

Congrats on DePaul, Krindy!