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?
@elaurance - I originally applied FNP and have my interview for occupational health / FNP on Monday.
From what I understand at the end of the Master's portion I'm allowed to sit on the AANP or ANCC to become a certified Family Nurse Practitioner, as well as the Certified Occupational Health Nurse Specialist (COHN-S) exam. The curriculum is the same as FNP with an additional 5 classes in the last semester which is geared to the occ health sub-specialty. The school nurse/FNP specialty has the same set up I believe.
I was also FNP, and got an interview on Monday for AGPCNP. I'm not terribly upset about losing the FNP option, because I think adult-ger is actually my favorite population, but I wish I had known more about the school nurse or occupational combined options. Anyone know the liklihood that you can switch later? I know it's hard but it must happen sometime. That's if I'm accepted of course, so maybe I shouldn't even ask quite yet, getting quite a bit ahead of myself here!
I've heard that it is multiple times VERY difficult to switch later on. They do have students do it. Most of the students that try to switch aren't approved though. You have to have a very compelling reason apparently. Not trying to get you down, just want to make sure you get a realistic answer. I know many programs won't even consider letting students switch. It sounds like UIC will consider, but probably won't approve a switch anyways.
hi616, i know it's probably not an option, and like i said i'm not exactly in a position to worry about it yet. i think given the fact that i've spent years deciding on fnp, it just makes me sad that they got rid of it last minute and it's not like you can just take a few extra classes and become fnp later. oh well, i'm just focusing on the interview for now. no worries about getting me down :-)
I totally understand. I spent forever deciding on FNP myself. But you're right, focus on the interview for now! Something to consider is that if you plan on pursuing your DNP, you could always do FNP. It's more classes to switch specialties, but there are ways to do it. Or you could get a post-master's certificate. (I personally would just rather do DNP-FNP. Don't really want to spend the time and money on another master's specialty if I could apply that towards DNP. And hopefully someone else is paying my tuition at that point anyways.)
Hopefullady - From what I've been told, these extra '5 classes' take another full year to complete for the occ health and school nurse so it is a bigger commitment, which I didn't know when I switched. Either way I'm still excited and focusing on the interview. I think AGPCNP is still a great option if you want to see a wide variety of patients, it was my #2 choice along with occ health.
The great thing about nursing is that there is always room to grow and see what you like. Another thing to consider is AGPCNP is still very broad, which is a good thing if you like seeing a variety of patients. If one day (years from now) you discover you love a certain sub-specialty, your background in AGPCNP could make that transition smoother. Say vs picking a very specific specialty off the bat, it might be harder to change into something different. That's ultimately why I wanted FNP in the first place, so I can definitely relate to you!
Sittenfeld and Kwolikola - About how many mental health applicants were in your info session? Just trying to get an idea of how many people are applying. Thanks!
Heya there, so for my session there was only 7 of us. I'm not sure about the 15th, but it would be great to know. I think Sitten is the only one on here that went to that session. I was going to ask the professors but opted not to. Although I was told they interview on average 25 applicants for the PMHNP 12-13 spots. So 50/50 chance pretty much.
Heya there, so for my session there was only 7 of us. I'm not sure about the 15th, but it would be great to know. I think Sitten is the only one on here that went to that session. I was going to ask the professors but opted not to. Although I was told they interview on average 25 applicants for the PMHNP 12-13 spots. So 50/50 chance pretty much.
I had 7. There was 1 individual who the interviewers acknowledged had switched from FNP to Psych (tad awkward). My interviewer stated the 22nd had the most people.
hi616
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I initially applied FNP and got an interview. I really hope anyone who was qualified or even borderline for FNP got an interview.