Acute/Chronic Pediatric Nurse Practitioner FAQs

HOW ARE PROGRAMS OF STUDY DEVELOPED?
For masters students the programs of study (POS) first are based on the quarter in which they start the program. Next comes whether students want more live or more on-line courses and when the courses are offered. It is like a jigsaw puzzle. A class may be on-line in one quarter and live two quarters later. It also may be a pre-requisite to another course. On-line education requires the ability to be more self-directed so consider this when making a choice. Some students wish to condense their studies and others need very part time schooling as they are either working full time or have young children at home. If there is a quarter off that the student needs for marriage or the birth of a baby we also try to work around those events. If the student will be receiving tuition reimbursement or student loans we also try to work within those confines. Students must take at least 5 credits in quarters they receive student loans. A minimum of 700 clinical practicum hours are required for the master of science in nursing degree. Additional hours may be added to the program of study to meet competency requirements.

For post-masters students the programs of study are individualized based on previous graduate work. Certification requires that the graduate degree be in nursing. No two graduate programs look the same. Each school covers required content in different ways. It also depends on when the previous graduate degree was obtained. National requirements have changed over time. We will need a copy of the previous graduate degree transcripts and key syllabi in order to determine the POS prior to application. A minimum of 500 clinical practicum hours are required for the post-masters certificate. Students with extensive AC PNP experience may be credited a portion of these hours through a practice evaluation by their collaborating physician using the AC PNP clinical Post-Masters Credit Form. Contact the Program Director for further details.

Either masters or post-masters students may wish to transfer in course credit from another institution to meet their program of study requirements. A copy of the course syllabi is required along with a request for transfer of credit form available on-line through the Rush University website. The similar course director at Rush will evaluate the course for content. Most schools do not cover the same content in any given course. Regularly, the result of the review is that the student receives partial transfer credit and is required to complete a 1 or 2 credit independent study at Rush to cover unmet content. The transfer of credit evaluation may be initiated after acceptance into the program.

CAN I COMPLETE BOTH THE PNP AND AC PNP PROGRAMS?
Many students have completed both programs. Ideally the student would complete one program then come back 3 months later to complete the second program which takes approximately 6-9 months. We have had students complete both programs concurrently but this is not recommended as the workload is extremely heavy.

ADMISSION

WHEN DO I HAVE TO APPLY?
See the Rush University website for admission deadlines and the application packet. Deadlines are firm. Programs of Study are designed for Fall and Spring starts only. The earlier the applicant applies the better. Programs fill up quickly and entrance for a particular year cannot be assured; there may be a waiting list. A maximum of 12 credits may be taken by students-at-large while they are in the application process. Course enrollment is not guaranteed while in student-at-large status.

The application process can be lengthy. Transcripts and recommendations may not be sent to the University in a timely manner. Be sure to contact all schools that you have attended post high school for your transcripts. This includes transcripts for Advanced Placement courses taken while in high school. They must be sent directly to the Admissions department. Also, on your application, please make clear every name that you have been known by. Transcripts may come in under a different name and the Admission department must know which application they are for.

DO I NEED TO TAKE THE GRE?
If the applicant has an undergraduate nursing GPA of 3.0 or greater or a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 the GRE requirement is waived. GRE test scores are not required of those with previous graduate degrees in nursing.

HOW MUCH EXPERIENCE DO I NEED TO APPLY?
Students must have at least two years of full time pediatric experience before starting the clinical portion of the program. A part time program of study can be developed that allows you to work full time while you obtain the two years of required experience.

CAN I APPLY AS A NEW GRADUATE?
New graduates are not accepted directly into the Acute/Chronic Care PNP program. New graduates may apply for either the Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist or Pediatric Nurse Practitioner programs. After at least 6 months of full time experience in a hospital based pediatric setting the new graduate may apply for admission or transfer into the AC PNP program.

WHO SHOULD I GET AS REFERENCES?
We suggest nurse managers and other APN colleagues who can evaluate your ability to be successful in graduate school and as an APN. Co-workers or subordinates are not acceptable.

WHAT SHOULD I WRITE ABOUT FOR MY ESSAY?
The topics vary significantly for the essays. Some potential students have written about key patient encounters that have been life changing. Others write about family/friend experiences in the health care system. Some applicants write about what they want to do with the degree and why this is the career path for them.

HOW WILL I HEAR FROM THE ADMISSIONS DEPARTMENT ABOUT MY APPLICATION?
The Admissions department will use the email address you provide for all contact regarding your application status. If you do not hear within a reasonable time there may have been a delay with the receipt of transcripts or recommendations so please contact them at 312-942-7100. When your application is complete you will be informed that you can contact a member of the faculty for the admission interview.

WHAT HAPPENS TO MY APPLICATION AFTER I COMPLETE MY INTERVIEW?
After your interview with faculty, your application is forwarded to the Admissions and Progressions committee of the College of Nursing. It is their charge to offer admission to qualified candidates. This committee only reviews graduate applicants once/month thus the need to heed published application deadlines.

CLINICAL SITES

WHERE WILL I GO FOR CLINICAL?
Clinical sites are available at Rush University Medical Center and throughout the Chicago metropolitan area. Distance clinical sites must be negotiated on an individual basis. These contracts can be very time consuming for both sets of lawyers and success is not guaranteed. Early planning is highly encouraged. All students will at least spend time in the PICU, NICU, ED, Pain Service, ID, Palliative Care, Radiology, CV Surgery, and Child Life. The student will spend greater time in areas of career interest. Other clinical rotations such as with peds surgery, hem/onc, nephrology, or endocrine can be also be arranged.

SPECIALTY COURSES (ALSO REFERRED TO AS MANAGEMENT COURSES)

SCHEDULE
The specialty coursework starts the last year of the program of study. All AC PNP, NNP, and PNP students take NUR 533F Primary Care of the Child I. After this course the programs diverge to their specialty content. AC PNP students then take NUR 533R and NUR 533S Pediatric Acute/Chronic Care I & II. These courses are offered in a compressed format. NUR 533R is winter quarter only and is scheduled the entire first full week of January. NUR 533S is spring quarter only and is scheduled the first full week in June. Graduation for masters students follows the next day for those who will be completing their coursework by the end of summer. This schedule works well for distance students to reduce the number of trips to Chicago while still meeting the needs of live discussion with lecturers. It also allows for more flexibility in practicum scheduling throughout the rest of the quarters.

WHERE WILL I STAY?
We seek volunteer hosts for distance students. The hosts may be other classmates, College of Nursing faculty, or other nurses from the Rush family. Housing, however, is not guaranteed and hotel stays may be required. The University is located just outside the downtown area on a major expressway. It is also conveniently located near mass transit lines from both O’Hare International and Midway Airports. Traveling in this manner takes approximately one hour from either airport. An information sheet with housing suggestions is available upon request.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

WILL I BE ABLE TO FIND A JOB WHEN I AM DONE WITH MY TRAINING?
Graduates of the AC PNP program work with patients and families to meet the demands of their disease, illness, or injury in a variety of settings that include, but are not limited to: intensive care, emergency care, specialty service, inpatient unit, and transport team. Job opportunities in these areas are extensive with not enough AC PNP graduates to fill the available positions. If you are interested in relocating, certain areas of the country such as in Houston and Dallas, have more job openings than others.

STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT

IS THERE ANY HELP AVAILABLE TO REPAY STUDENT LOANS AFTER I HAVE COMPLETED THE PROGRAM?
Graduates often fear the debt load that comes with graduate education. Occasionally, employers provide loan repayment (full or partial) as part of employment packages. There is also a government loan repayment program available. Information for this Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program can be found at http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/nursing/loanrepay.htm Please see the Office of Financial Aid for more information on available assistance.

CERTIFICATION

DO I NEED TO TAKE A REVIEW COURSE PRIOR TO CERTIFICATION?
The AC PNP program of study prepares the student to sit for the national certification examination. There is no recommendation to also take a certification review course although students may choose to do this on their own.

WHEN WILL I BE CERTIFIED?
Most students complete their coursework during the summer quarter and apply for certification at that time. Transcripts will not be prepared and sent out to the certification company until after the end of the quarter. This usually occurs by mid September. When the certification company receives all the required information the applicant is contacted and a testing date is determined. Results of the exam are usually available by mid October.

IS THE CERTIFICATION RECOGNIZED BY EVERY STATE?
The AC PNP certification has been accepted by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.

DNP

WHAT IS THE DNP AND DO WE HAVE TO GET IT TO PRACTICE?
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) graduate is equipped to affect change and be a leader in the business of health care.
Rush University College of Nursing is one of the first colleges in the nation to award the practice doctorate (1990). Building on the established role of the master’s prepared nurse, the DNP program at RUSH provides real world experience in strategic planning, communication to affect change, data management, and application of critical business concepts.
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) recommend that schools of nursing prepare those entering advance practice do so at their highest practice degree, the Doctor of Nursing Practice. This change is to take place by 2015.
It is not expected that those already in the workforce return to school for their DNP in order to continue practice; though, some may choose to do so. Neither the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board, nor the National Council of States Boards of Nursing anticipate such a requirement at this time.

DIVERSITY

WHAT IS THE UNIVERSITY’S POLICY ON DIVERSITY?
In keeping with its goal of promoting diversity through its equal opportunity and affirmative action programs, Rush University is committed to attracting students who will enable the student body to achieve the educational benefits of diversity, and to provide services to all students, faculty, and other employees on a nondiscriminatory, equitable basis. Discrimination or harassment against any member of the Rush University Medical Center community because of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status or parental status, disability as defined by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act, or any other category protected by federal or state law is prohibited and will not be tolerated, nor will any person for those reasons be excluded from participation or denied the benefits of any program or activity within Rush University. Beverly B. Huckman, Associate Vice President for Equal Opportunity in the Office of the President, has been designated to oversee the implementation of this policy and can be reached by telephone at (312) 942-7093, by mail (Suite 128, Professional Building), or via e-mail at Beverly_B_Huckman@rush.edu.

Faculty contact for the Acute/Chronic Care Pediatric NP program
Beth Nachtsheim Bolick,
RN, DNP, APRN-BC, CPNP-AC, CCRN
Office: 312-942-3646
Fax: 3120942-2549
Beth_N_Bolick@rush.edu