Rush University GEM Program Spring 2023

I also applied for this program for Jan 2023. I submitted my application beginning of August and received my invitation to interview today! 

1 minute ago, natalierose02 said:

I also applied for this program for Jan 2023. I submitted my application beginning of August and received my invitation to interview today! 

Hey! I received an email to interview last week but today I received another email to sign up for my interview slot! How are you preparing for the interview? Also good luck ?

1 minute ago, les1020 said:

Hey! I received an email to interview last week but today I received another email to sign up for my interview slot! How are you preparing for the interview? Also good luck ?

Yes I signed up for my interview slot today as well. I have heavily researched these forums and found people posted a lot of the questions they were asked, all saying it was pretty laidback. I will probably briefly review my answers to those questions and mostly try to not overthink it. Seems like it's not too tricky--mostly like why you want to go into nursing and they just want to feel you out as a person! Good luck to you too ?

1 minute ago, natalierose02 said:

Yes I signed up for my interview slot today as well. I have heavily researched these forums and found people posted a lot of the questions they were asked, all saying it was pretty laidback. I will probably briefly review my answers to those questions and mostly try to not overthink it. Seems like it's not too tricky--mostly like why you want to go into nursing and they just want to feel you out as a person! Good luck to you too ?

Gotcha! I will do the same. Update this thread as you hear more information ? 

Good luck to you all. Current GEM student going into my final term. Don't sweat the interview; it is VERY laid back...Tell me about yourself, why nursing, a challenge you have overcome. My interviewer also asked me about a weakness. Best of Luck!! Any questions, feel free to ask ? 

5 minutes ago, RNLara said:

Good luck to you all. Current GEM student going into my final term. Don't sweat the interview; it is VERY laid back...Tell me about yourself, why nursing, a challenge you have overcome. My interviewer also asked me about a weakness. Best of Luck!! Any questions, feel free to ask ? 

Thanks so much! A few questions: 1. Did you consider an ABSN or ADN program? And how did you decide on Rush? 2. I'm super hesitant about the cost--how are you handling this and do you feel like it's worth it? The thought of having like a $700-1000 monthly student loan payment afterwards (based on my calculations including living expenses) is really terrifying me but I'm also maxxed out on loans for second bachelors degree. I live in Chicago and it's my understanding the major hospitals don't take ADNs etiher. 3. How has your experience been overall? 

I honestly did not consider ADN or BSN programs, as I already had my bachelors. For one, many hospitals do take ADNs but, they require them to get their BSNs within a certain amount of time.  The thing about that is, that BSNs/MSNs are preferred over ADNs since hospitals know that they don't have to worry about possibly replacing an ADN if they do not obtain their BSN.  I applied at DePaul and Rush, but decided going to Rush because Rush is a known teaching hospital and healthcare is all they do.  So, I knew I would be going into an environment where healthcare is their only priority. 

I cannot speak to finances, as everyone's situation is unique and different. Rush does offer scholarships and grants, you should reach out to their financial aid office, as they have been very helpful in my opinion.  Many of my classmates got roommates and others commuted to campus.  Of course it may have been easier on my cohort to stay at home, as we were mostly on Zoom the first 3 terms, it wasn't really until Term 4 that classes were back to in person for us. 

Rush is not perfect, but I do not regret my choice of coming here.  Being in Rush has opened a lot of doors for me.  They expect students to perform 100 volunteer hours (they call it professional development hours), while this seems like a lot, there are many opportunities to and it's a great way of networking.  On top of that graduating from Rush allows you to sit for the CNL exam, which is a great plus!  

I also have an interview coming up for the Spring 2023 cohort for the GEM program. I have some jitters about it, but after speaking with a friend that graduated from the program, now works at Rush, and has conducted these interviews I am more relieved. As other post state, I was told the interview is used to put a face/personality to the application. The questions that are asked want to know why you choose nursing, why Rush. She also mentioned they are big on diversity and inclusion. 

Interested on knowing how others experience went while in the program. Did the school create a friendly environment amongst students or did it pit you against each other for rankings in the program? Did you have time to work part time? F

On 8/26/2022 at 2:10 PM, RNLara said:

Good luck to you all. Current GEM student going into my final term. Don't sweat the interview; it is VERY laid back...Tell me about yourself, why nursing, a challenge you have overcome. My interviewer also asked me about a weakness. Best of Luck!! Any questions, feel free to ask ? 

Hello, I’m a incoming GEM student. Do you think buying books for your first semester was needed? Thanks for your time!

Hi, the only book that you definitely need is the Nursing Care Plan book, that one is used a lot throughout various terms.  The Physical Assessment book was also helpful (since I am a visual learner, and it contained a lot of pics). The other books are not needed, as everything comes from the PowerPoints. 

Has anyone had their interview yet? How did it go? 

On 9/9/2022 at 12:29 PM, natalierose02 said:

Has anyone had their interview yet? How did it go? 

I had my interview earlier today! I thought it went really well and wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I reviewed a ton of different interview questions so none of them caught me off guard. I was told we should be hearing back end of September/early October.