buzzj

To clarify, you will not be able to begin your master's NP clinical work until you have RN experience if you are in the acute care specialty track. The GEP program only admits people from non nursing backgrounds so no previous RN experience is expected or required for those clinical placements. I do not know if this will help your decision but I have heard from others in the college of nursing that they are considering redoing the GEP program to be more similar to Rush's and DePaul's Generalist Masters...which would be wonderful for all of you! It will be much easier to get jobs when you finish the pre-licensure coursework and allow you all to be working as RNs while you continue on for your NP. However there is one point to consider, and that is if becoming an NP is your ultimate goal...most universities are doing away with their master's APN programs and now pushing students to continue on to their Doctorate in Nursing Practice (also known as a DNP) within your chosen specialty. To obtain a DNP it is additional coursework (hopefully with clinical hours) and would cause you to be in school longer. I say this because if you want the quickest route to be a mid level provider (aka an NP or Physicians Assistant) perhaps PA school might be a better fit. One final thought...you mention the job market being flooded with RNs and that is very true and I am not quite sure that it will improve any time soon. Nursing school enrollment is at record highs, schools are opening everywhere, and nurses that normally would have retired are not due to the economy. For all of our sakes I hope it will change :) Also please be encouraged that moving into nursing has been one of the best decisions I have made and I am very happy with the career choice and I am sure you will be as well!

To add some credence to justkeepswimming's post...I am a student in the class above him/her and I also would greatly discourage anyone from applying to the GEP program. Believe what you will (as I did when I was in your shoes) but there is much merit to what justkeepingswimming has to say. The job market is incredibly tough for everyone, but having just an RN places you at a disadvantage for almost every hospital job you might apply to. I am one of few (out of a cohort of 70) that was lucky enough to get a job and it was only through personal connections. I understand that our end goal is to be an NP but RN experience is necessary and critical to be successful. Speaking with HR representatives from Advocate, NorthShore, Advenstist, and Sinai health systems it was made abundantly clear that they will not hire an NP that has not previously worked as an RN. I was told that this rule applies to both the primary and acute care settings. I should also mention that in the case of Acute Care NPs you will not be allowed to go into clinical without at least 1 year of RN experience as mandated by the director of that specialty. For those that cannot fathom working as an RN, perhaps PA school might be a better option. You have more clinical training hours built into the program and you will be better equipped to enter the workforce as a midlevel provider. If you have zero desire to work as an RN, a fast track to NP is not the way to. Just my thoughts..let me know if you have questions.

Holdsteady11 and Eidas both highlight some issues/benefits with this program. As a current GEP student I have had my fair share of frustrations with this program, but it is a means to an end. Thankfully UIC's reputation does hold up in other hospitals, and almost every nurse manager I have met is a graduate from UIC (and is proud to mention that I might add). There are issues in regards to not having your B.S.N. and for that I do not have an answer. Really, I think working in a hospital while going through this program may be the best way to overcome some of the first job hiring hurdles and challenges. Good luck to you all! Also when in the program, do not be afraid to voice the class needs. Some professors are great and others have been really disappointing. Hopefully it will change by the time you get here!

Glad to see that you all started a thread! I found it so helpful last year and it was a great opportunity to connect with people even before class began. I just wanted to echo the advice of onephoenixrising and also encourage you to do what you can to gain nursing experience before your interview. I had went through a CNA training course and while being interviewed this was positively referenced by my interviewer on multiple occasions. In terms of GPA, GRE, etc. while a great score can definitely augment your application, they truly are looking for a good understanding and commitment to the nursing profession. Think long and hard about your reasons for wanting to take part in this program and start working in health care ASAP!

onephoenix... I also have been having some difficulty finding a research methods class besides the ones offered at UIC or University of Phoenix....both are somewhat expensive and i have also checked with City Colleges and Oakton Community college and have had no luck! Please let me know if you hear anything from Julie.

sounds like a plan congrats CPA2MSN MissPriss and all the other ACNP applicants! Cant wait to meet all of you soon enough!

ACNP accepted!

Promise..I also had emailed her on the 14th and she responded with the date of the 25th.

Looks like the ACNP's are strongly represented on this thread!

My interviewer said we would hear by mid may...however when I emailed Julie specifically about my specialty (ACNP) she said that notifications and letters will be sent out on Monday April 25th.

Rachelrae, I am not sure about city colleges but I am at Oakton which requires one semester of inorganic chemistry (105 or 121) before Chem 207 (survey of organic chemistry...which DePaul and Rush accept for the orgo pre req). If you happen to attend Oakton, I highly recommend Sanvanson for either of those courses. He is an excellent teacher that provides practical and relevant education for those entering into the health professions. Hope that helps and good luck! For all those patiently waiting with me...good luck!

Miss Priss and Preety Lights I emailed Julie and she said that notification emails will be sent out April 25th and then a letter will follow. So our wait is just one more week! Best of Luck

MissPriss and CPA2MSN, Did either of you hear exactly how many people were being interviewed for ACNP slots and was there any time frame that was given to you regarding admissions decisions. Hope the waiting is not as hard for you as it is on my end!

misspriss...I will be interviewing at 10:30 a.m. with Dr. Susan Corbridge. What about you? I am so nervous/excited!

Rachel- Do not lose hope! There is still a week and a half and if your knowledge and information that you shared on this website is any indication, I bet you are a top candidate. Miss Priss it did have everyone copied in (however it could be just for April 4th) and not all applicants (however I did have a secret hope that it was just six of us...meaning we all got in!...one can dream right :) ) I have availability from mid morning on so that is what I emailed anna..what about you? it would be great to meet after its all done and recap. keep me posted.

Miss priss glad to see you got an interview. I did as well! now I am really nervous...did you however see a way to select a time, my email was blank.

sympamista and miss priss, i will definitely keep you posted should i hear something and please do the same! otherwise i am just counting down the days until april 4th.ugh...but lets be positive and hopefully we will all see one another at the interviews!

Misspriss...have you heard anything yet for ACNP I am so anxious!

misspriss...thanks for sharing your background. im sure it will be useful many aspects of nursing. and in answer to your question...Though I think there are many attractive qualities for each NP specialty, I just found myself most interested in critical care. I like the pace and work environment, the fact that many patients you see may have the potential to fully recover, and that you are working with the whole spectrum of health care professionals (nurses, doctors, PAs...from what i understand it can be a very collaborative and team oriented atmosphere which is what I thrive in. seaster...i believe that when i spoke with a rush admissions rep they wanted 3 of the 4 science classes completed and that was in november..maybe they changed the requirements? one phoenix rising...i also have had difficulty finding a research methods course...however I will wait to see if I am accepted first to look into it any further good luck everyone!

Misspriss, thanks for getting back to me..I guess we will have a little wait time to endure...but it will be worth it right? :) I have the exact sentiments as far as to why UIC is my number one choice, however there are so many different routes to take that I do feel a bit more hopeful about the whole process in becoming a np. Should UIC not work out, rush and depaul's program will allow for some of your master's work to be completed anyways. Though the shortest time to become an NP would be about 3.5 years for UIC..depaul and Rush would be about 4.5-5 however their programs start in June and August respectively. So the difference in time is not as great as it seems. One question I have for you though is in regards to your professional background and volunteer/health experience...mine is limited to volunteering at a hospital and CNA liscense. Have a good tuesday!

Miss Priss, Glad you found this site as well...I am also applying for the ACNP program and am nervous and excited to see how this all turns out! In the past I believe they have informed people of information by specialty so lets try and keep one another up to date. Best of Luck!

i think city colleges are a great option, also I would definitely look at the suburban community colleges as well. Currently I am taking my A and P classes at Oakton Community College and I have been very impressed by their facilities and education. We were able to work on a multitude of cadavers (both human and animal) and their you will meet many with similar academic aspirations which is nice for networking, etc. One thing I would note about the University of Phoenix is that many other programs require that A and P be done with a lab component and I am not sure if those credits would be as universal then if you did it a regular community college or university. Either way best of luck with your application!

the program is competitive and I am nervous as well...but its definitely a great program and worth a shot.. when i went to the info session the admissions counselor claimed that the most applied for programs are for FNP, Adult and Geriatrics, Peds, and Midwife....i also heard that acute care is a popular program as well. not sure about administrative studies in nursing but who really knows.

Glad to see that someone has started this thread..I have just completed all my application requirements and am very apprehensive about the whole process. Anyone else applying for acute care NP? best of luck to you all!