Thinking about applying to UIC's GEP program. Anybody here applied and was accepted? What were your stats?
My stats: 3.2 Overall GPA/3.5 Sci BA in Sociology. Office Manager in home health care, tech in a medical equipment co, medical assistant (no cert) in dr's office and later office manager there. Volunteering in Nursing Home around 120 hours...
From what I can tell on their website, after completing the NCLEX, you immediately start the master portion of the program. Is this correct?
@girlincali - yea I pretty much got the same email right after I sent that message, interview is April 22nd. The first hour includes everyone and is an information session about the specialty. And then we separate into groups of 2-4 for small group interviews.
It said the same thing about this specailty taking an extra year, which I didn't know. It's only an extra 5 classes, so I wonder if you are working at the same time? Definitely have some more questions to ask about that part. because I'm surprised that it said it takes another year for only 5 classes, it must be heavy in clinicals or working or something.
Sitten- we don't have group interviews, do we? It said no such thing on the invite.
And is there any way to know how many people are coming for the interview with our evites?
I have no idea. I didn't see a mention of group interviews. If anything it will probably be very small groups and then a one-on-one.
"
The faculty of the PMHNP concentration invites you to an applicant interview session. We have set aside three days for your choice, but there are limited seats for these sessions so please sign up early. The sessions run for three hours with the first 30 minutes spent in discussing the program and answering general questions. Afterward you will have a chance to meet individually with faculty and get your individual questions answered. We look forward to meeting with you."
The overview session is very informative. The coordinator was very honest about the program. When it was brought up whether or not students were having difficulty getting jobs without a BSN, she was realistic. Yes, students are having a lot of trouble getting into hospitals in the area because of magnet status, but if students are willing to be flexible in where the work and make an excellent impression on nurse managers, it will be okay. It might be tough in the beginning, but it will be okay. That being said, they are eliminating the GEP and our applicant cycle will be the final cohort admitted into the program. Also, it's really important to keep in mind that BSN applicants are also struggling in the Chicago area. Once you get the NP license, the lack of BSN doesn't matter.
I hung around the nursing building for about an hour prior to the session because I was paranoid of being late. I was really impressed with the student community and the interactions I saw between faculty and students. It seemed like a very supportive and cohesive bunch.
While I only met one of the faculty members, I really believe they are all going to be pretty great. In the session, we were told of some very specific things that the faculty have done for students that I was happy to hear about. Also, while the college does arrange all preceptors for students, they really seek out your input on what you want which has provided students with some really awesome clinical placements.
I won't really say much more because the rest was PNP specific. I'm not sure which each of the specialties will be saying about the first 15 months of the program so I wanted to share what I received.
The overview session is very informative. The coordinator was very honest about the program. When it was brought up whether or not students were having difficulty getting jobs without a BSN, she was realistic. Yes, students are having a lot of trouble getting into hospitals in the area because of magnet status, but if students are willing to be flexible in where the work and make an excellent impression on nurse managers, it will be okay. It might be tough in the beginning, but it will be okay. That being said, they are eliminating the GEP and our applicant cycle will be the final cohort admitted into the program. Also, it's really important to keep in mind that BSN applicants are also struggling in the Chicago area. Once you get the NP license, the lack of BSN doesn't matter.
I hung around the nursing building for about an hour prior to the session because I was paranoid of being late. I was really impressed with the student community and the interactions I saw between faculty and students. It seemed like a very supportive and cohesive bunch.
While I only met one of the faculty members, I really believe they are all going to be pretty great. In the session, we were told of some very specific things that the faculty have done for students that I was happy to hear about. Also, while the college does arrange all preceptors for students, they really seek out your input on what you want which has provided students with some really awesome clinical placements.
I won't really say much more because the rest was PNP specific. I'm not sure which each of the specialties will be saying about the first 15 months of the program so I wanted to share what I received.
Great! Thanks so much for this information. We better be the best cohort! #finishstrong
Oh one more important thing to note. The coordinators send all of their remarks about us back to the Graduate College and THEY make the final decisions; not the coordinators. Class size will be about 56 and 5-6 for peds.
@hi - wow thanks for all the info! very helpful for the rest of us. Can't believe this is the last class for GEP. Weird that the coordinators don't make the final decision. Glad to hear your interview went well!
I'm sure the decision to eliminate the GEP is partly due to the push for all NP's to have DNP's. Its clearly going to take longer than 2015 for that to happen, but schools have already been changing programs because of it. I know Rush changed their program recently because of that which is why they have a generalist entry program I think.
The other reason for the change sounds like it stems from the fact that the faculty are also disappointed with how hospitals are viewing students in the GEP program the same as A.D. nurses when it comes to hiring after the first 15 months. Even though we are just RN's at that point, it sounds like hospitals are not giving any credit to the fact that we are all enrolled in a graduate program and have proven we have college level skills (I.e. communication, reading, writing, etc.) that can still be applicable to the nursing realm even if we weren't directly trained to use them in the nursing arena. It sounds like students with bachelor degrees in other fields who go the A.D. route for a career change are often looked at in the same light meaning that they aren't given any sort of credit for their college degree if it ain't a BSN. The magnet hospitals wanting BSN nurses is unavoidable, but it sounds like there are still positions for RN's and UIC students are being put in the same playing field as those without a college degree.
UIC recently reached out to hiring agencies and hospitals in the area to explain the rigor of the program to anyone willing to listen so that they could explain just how competitive and highly regarded the program is. It sounds like they had a dozen or so people representing different practices/ hospitals in an open house setting. I don't remember the full details on this because it was barely touched upon but I encourage other people to bring up the question of how UIC has tried to reach out on our behalf.
hmmm very interesting, I'm definitely going to be bringing up all those concerns in my info session, but that's not till the 22nd.
a little frustrating it's like that though, because you need a bachelors degree to get into GEP! lol why would be go back to get another bachelors degree just because it's not in nursing? When we are doing the nursing part in a separate 15month program!
I guess once you are an NP it doesn't really make a difference? For us that's ultimately the goal so try to concentrate on that. Hopefully for those who are making connections and proactive on getting a job while in the master section will find one, and the job market a little better by the time we get there. Because the job you have as an RN/BSN is not going to be the same job you have as an NP, or for the rest of your life. Of course it's important to gain real experience and work but I think in the next couple years there is going to be a greater need for RN's and NP's.
I guess my main concern would be is getting a job as an NP if you don't have a lot of work as an RN extremely hard? I'm guessing it would be.....this all still is making me kinda nervous!
One of my friends who is an NP sent me this article recently, you guys should check it out.
ncami10
42 Posts
@girlincali - yea I pretty much got the same email right after I sent that message, interview is April 22nd. The first hour includes everyone and is an information session about the specialty. And then we separate into groups of 2-4 for small group interviews.
It said the same thing about this specailty taking an extra year, which I didn't know. It's only an extra 5 classes, so I wonder if you are working at the same time? Definitely have some more questions to ask about that part. because I'm surprised that it said it takes another year for only 5 classes, it must be heavy in clinicals or working or something.