jmonkeyjen

@rainkissedleaves-If you know 100% you want to be a nurse-I would also recommend going to MU! Last year-right after graduation- I got into into ST Louis University's Nursing program-and im kicking myself right now since I wanted to wait to see about uic lol. Everything works out for a reason though-i hope =). Marquette has a beautiful campus, and you will likely meet many awesome, friendly people =)

@Tuckella DePaul wears navy blue scrubs lol . I am sure there are reasons for why they choose certain lab colors. I actually volunteer with a nurse who is a Rush MENP graduate; and she really enjoyed that school too! Today I asked her why she choose Rush:and she said Rush had DNP programs in psych-and she knew she wanted to work in mental health! Currently she is working as an RN; and attaining her DNP from Rush. She thought DePaul didnt offer a DNP specialization in mental health-but she wasnt positive if that is still the case. In my case, I want to be a Adult-Gerontology NP or Family NP and they do have that at DePaul. Rush's website though could use some enhancements too lol. Good luck to everyone, and I am sure all there programs are excellent. I have heard very good things about MU master generalist program too!

@Tuckella, I have heard very positive things about DePaul's MENP from current students-in terms of accessibility of the professors, clinical experience; and ability to get jobs once graduated. My first choice was UIC-due to its rank and the fact that you could specialize; but I am happy about DePaul. Not sure if you live in chicagoland area, but DePaul has information sessions about their nursing programs. I fully understand the prereqs, and you might want to look into Rush's graduate entry program too (their requirements are very similar to UIC!). I am planning to attend DePaul because I would like to start my journey to becoming a nurse asp, but I also was impressed with Rush's graduate entry generalist nursing program. I never looked at nursing schools outside of Illinois because my soon to be husband (I am getting married June 8) lives in Chicago; but there are many generalist graduate entry nursing programs that look like they would be great!

@elaurance See you at DePaul in the fall!! DePaul is a 2 year masters generalist program where you do not specialize-but graduate with MSN. Additionally, several of the graduate classes you take during DePaul's MENP program transfer over to other Masters/DNP specialized programs at DePaul. Supposedly, one can become a FNP within a year at DePaul after graduating from DePaul's MENP==as long as they work while attending DePaul's FNP master's certificate program. However, many students choose to work full time after graduating with MSN; and enrolling part time in DePaul's DNP program or NP graduate certificate program. I think UIC is actually changing their GEP program next year to be a generalist Masters Program like DePaul and Rush University (and several other universities). DePaul was first university to offer Generalist Masters Program in nursing. http://csh.depaul.edu/academics/graduate/nursing/Documents/GeneralNursingMENP6-1-11.pdf

Congrats!!

@katherinewerner I am not sure if they are sending out emails based on specialty or acceptance status-but I was waitlisted for Adult Gerontology-NP-so maybe the fact that you havent heard yet is good news! I hope you hear soon!

I am so sorry for everyone who didnt get good new;-but we will all make great nurses some day! For those who got waitlisted like me-do you know if we could call to see where on the waitlist we are ranked? My letter just said waitlisted; and they would call me if a spot became available.

I got waitlisted =( I guess i wont be joining you guys either. Congrats to everyone who got in! I will be attending DePaul's Masters entry Program instead (unless I get a call from UIC-which is unlikely)

I think it is hard not to check the board/email compulsively. I have a feeling we will hear fri may 3--but I am trying to breath and just focus on other things! Happy almost birthday sittenfield and good luck to anyone taking final exams !!

I am 25-and was also intimidated by people in my group being much older/years of career experience; but I think they look at many factors when accepting applicants. Everyone in my group was also so nice & I wish we all could be accepted. I also hope we all hear soon.

I am glad interviews went well! I also had my interview today-and it went well! My interviewer was so nice, answered many questions about the program (including how next cohort 2015 will be MS generalist, transition to DNP, and difficulties getting jobs as an rn without BSN), and said we should hear about admissions decisions by May 10. Good luck to anyone who still has to interview!

I don't think anyone gets admitted without an interview. At least that is what information session said. However, not everyone who applies makes it to interview stage --so we should all be happy that we made it to interview stage!

@katherinewerner I grew up in oak park (a suburb near Chicago) and currently live in Tinley Park (but looking forward to moving back into the city if accepted into UIC).I attended UIC for undergrad and loved living in Greektown (which is very close to UIC's east campus for anyone who isn't from Chicago). Does anyone know average cohort size? I attended the GEP information session; but do not remember the answer to that question. It does seem like a large interview group for adult geriatrics; but I am just happy so many of us made it to the interview stage. @steve21021 I am sure they understand not everyone can make it in for interviews; and I hope Skype interview goes well!

@katherinewerner I am sorry you have to fly into Chicago-but I am glad coordinator was honest about skyping being a disadvantage. I live in Chicagoland area so if you have any questions please feel free to ask.

I got an email this afternoon from the coordinator; Adult Geriatric interviews are on Mon April 22. She said they are 45 min; and in small group. I signed up for 9am slot! I hope you all hear today about your interview times! Good luck to all interviewing too!

Anyone in Adult Geriatrics set up the interview yet? I still haven't heard from our specialty coordinator yet and am getting worried (I keep checking my spam lol). I might call this afternoon or tomorrow if I don't hear.

for my specialty Adult Geriatrics primary care NP=the coordinator has not yet emailed interview spots (at least I haven't gotten that email)-but I hope we get it Mon. @rainkissedleaves-I think either a pencil skirt or dress would be great. I am planning to wear a dress (suit type dress)-getting it dry cleaned this weekend!

Thnx @[COLOR=#003366]elaurance ! I hope we can set it up today; but like you if I don't hear I'll call Mon!

@hi616 thanks for the info!

I am local so will be doing interviews at the school. If anyone has questions about Chicago or UIC (I attended UIC for undergraduate) please don't hesitate to ask!

Did you guys call to confirm interview/set up time. My email said "I am pleased to inform you that you have been selected to continue to the interview process for the GEP Adult-Gero Primary Care Nurse Practitioner specialty. A representative from the specialty department will contact you shortly to schedule your interview." so I am not sure if I should wait to be contacted.

I have an interview as well for Adult -Gero Primary Care NP!!! Congrats to everyone!

thanks for sharing @sittenfeld! that is a great list of potential ?s . I also have to work on not rambling.

Mine looks the same-where transcripts only have green checkmarks. I really hope we all hear by Friday! I think there were a list of interview questions somewhere on here-if I find them I'll post. My friends recommendation for the interview was to relax & just show your passion for nursing. Her cohort had a short one-on-one interview & then a group interview. She said it was very laid back. She didn't remember all the questions-but said it was standard stuff like Why do you want to go into nursing/specialty; what experiences do you have in medical field; what was the hardest challenge you faced in your life etc. One question that stood out in her memory was are you prepared to handle the uncomfortable situations one experiences as nurse-patients often in most vulnerable point of their lives-how are prepared you to handle this kind of situation. My friend said she "prepared for the interview" but ended up really just talking from the heart since it wasn't as stressful as she thought it would be. Basically, we need to explain why we want to go into a certain specialty; what leadership skills we have, and why we are passionate about certain topic. I still plan on preparing-just to ease my own nervesloll

@sittenfeld My friend also mentioned that the only tuition reimbursement program she was aware of was for psych specialty (working at VA hospital or working with lower income populations)-so your specialty maybe more in demand.