Rush MSN Program.

GEM2010 · Feb 18, 2008

Are you talking about the GEM program?

Chicago13 · Feb 19, 2008

Thanks for your reply. I am talking about the Masters of Science in Nursing Program.

Chicago13 · Feb 19, 2008

Sorry, yes, it is the GEM, I just made sure.

Any info about it? Appreciate your help.

3chicago3 · Feb 22, 2008

So glad you posted this, I'm wondering the same.

livingthedream, APN · Feb 23, 2008

This program is new... the first starting class for this is this summer.... not sure you will find anyone in this program at this time. But good luck!

3chicago3 · Feb 26, 2008

Ah, yes that makes sense now.

I just heard that a wave of acceptance letters went out for the Rush GEM program. Does anyone who was accepted or not accepted care to share what their GRE scores, GPA & from what school or what sort of experience in health care or non-healthcare they had going into the interview? Since the program is so brand new, I'm trying to get a gage on what they are looking for in a candidate. Do they weigh what school you attended for undergrad and take that into consideration for the GPA? Any insight would help :) I'm very concerned and am curious to hear from those applicants who are willing to share. Thanks!

livingthedream, APN · Feb 26, 2008

DePaul has had a MENP (masters entry into nursing pratice) same as Rush's new program for about 5-6 years. You may want to check them out too. I am in that program now.

3chicago3 · Feb 26, 2008

Thank you for your reply. How are you liking the program so far? Is it 7 quarters like Rush's? Do you mind telling me a little about it. I've looked on their website and read some about it but it's always good to hear about it first hand. Also, do you have children by chance? I will have 2 by the time I "Plan" on starting a program and I know it's going to be hard. If you do, how are you managing your time?

livingthedream, APN · Feb 26, 2008

It is 7 quarters, I think Rush may have mirrored a lot of what dePaul does. Although the classes seem to be in a bit of a different order from what I have heard.

I do like it, although there is one very odd teacher that we have. But then there usually is one in every bunch. Outside of that, I like it, we only have 34 in our cohort and we stay together the entire time. I am lucky that I have a great group, everyone gets along and we really all have a good time with it.

I don't have children, but there are a few that do in the class. I cannot say how hard it is for them - but I will tell you that you should not have a job while doing this program. There is one girl that I am friends with who has a little girl and she had to leave her job to be able to have enough time to "do it all". She is a single parent.

The only thing to remember about both programs is that they are masters programs - so for depaul we use the masters grading scale. 100-96 is an A, 95-93 is a A- (and that minus impacts your GPA). 92 starts the B and so on. That scale scared me, but now that I am used to it, I am ok. I am doing just fine, actually better than I expected.

Good luck and I hope you get into both schools and then have to decide!!!

3chicago3 · Feb 26, 2008

That's nice that you have a good group. 34 is a perfect size class and that's great that you all get along. It's a real gamble, you never know if you're going to get a bad class so that's wonderful that you got a good one- it makes all the difference in the world.

I think your friend was smart to stop working. I work full time go to school at night and my husband does the same- that's hard enough, but to do it as a single parent? That's really something- good for her.

Thank you for your advice and input. I may have a few more questions down the road, but for now this is really helpful. I appreciate it.

Take Care!

GEM2010 · Feb 26, 2008

Ah, yes that makes sense now.
I just heard that a wave of acceptance letters went out for the Rush GEM program. Does anyone who was accepted or not accepted care to share what their GRE scores, GPA & from what school or what sort of experience in health care or non-healthcare they had going into the interview? Since the program is so brand new, I'm trying to get a gage on what they are looking for in a candidate. Do they weigh what school you attended for undergrad and take that into consideration for the GPA? Any insight would help :) I'm very concerned and am curious to hear from those applicants who are willing to share. Thanks!

I was accepted into the program and will be starting in June.

I didn't have to submit GRE scores because I had a cumulative GPA higher than 3.25. Rush will take all your GPAs into consideration and they'll take the average.

As for experience in health care, I've been in education for the past 6 years with little health care experience. So to answer your question about what kind of candidates they are looking for, it's hard to say. I'm sure they will be attracting all types of people with varied backgrounds who want to have a career in nursing.

During the interview they definitely asked what I thought nursing is about, what nurses do, etc.