ANY from JJC?

Glitter Bug · Mar 20, 2009

Hi Kimbly9,

It didn't take too long at all to get the acceptance/denial letter. I believe it was only a few weeks.

Good luck to you!

cubs1977 · Apr 15, 2009

Are the prereqs at Trinity similar to JJC, or are there a lot that are different in addition to the extra B.S.N. requirements? I only have Microbiology left at JJC, and would hate to have wasted all that time just to transfer... but I'm also afraid I'm not going to get in this August/September.

cubs1977 · Apr 15, 2009

Dr. Sam Kongpricha offers free tutoring in Chem. He is always there hours before his classes begin. Call to find out his schedule. Totally free-

ChicagoICU_RN · Apr 16, 2009

No trinity requires more pre-reqs then trinity...(Im considering trinity) they require chem101-and 108...the require statistics...and I believe a philosophy class...i may be leaving a few out.

I will be taking micro in the fall...with belles (thank God i got in his class...it filled up in like 20 minuates) did you registar for micro in the fall?

thanks for the tutors name!!

Good luck,

H.A

David1 · Feb 25, 2010

In the Chicagoland area and you are trying to get into the nursing programs. Don't fret.

There are many community colleges that offer the major. I am a Nursing Home Administrator contemplating getting my R.N. license. Yes I have to fulfill the general education requirements. If one place will not take you find another place to study.

Here is my take on the issue. The programs want to give the students a sense of accomplishment like their R.N. program at any particualar school is the "Cats Meow." Like you finally made it. There are many schools who will teach you, accept you, and take your financing. If you can't get into a particulary school, apply for another. Go to a four year institution, go private. Take out loans etc. So if you have a time frame to accomplish your goal do it. Don't let the program directors tell you can't, your not good enough. The last twenty years program directors have tried to tell inquirng students don't apply you will not get in, the wait is too long. I noticed that recently they don't voice this sentiment as hard, but they do say that, I think to keep you working hard to acheive. I think they are testing one's resolve and desire to become a nurse. Believe you/me. As a leader of nursing staff, I have seen nursing staff who are so incompetant it was amazing they had the skill to even graduate the program, let alone, have the personality to be a care giver.

Don't lose hope.... There are other schools, private and public, many two year and four year schools. When they try to tell you it is tough to get in. Don't get angry at them. With economy it is hard all over.

This is the scoop.

1. People lose interest, drop out of the program, move away, can't hack the program or the job, or can't handle the site of blook or witness the pain of an individual. Therrefore you could get a call to join the program mid-semester. They get married, get pregnant, move away. So apply at many schools. I was told by one nurse who attended C.O.D. and was told that there is a two year wait. Well-she got in the spring class right away. The program directors just go down the list.

2. Hourly pay for LPN is average $23 at Rosewood Joliet and Bridgeway in Bensenville and $27 Wynscape/ RN average $28 at Rosewood Joliet and Bridgeway $38 at Wynscape. Want proof. check out the IDPH long-term cost reports. the pay scales are listed third or forth from the last page of the nurisng home you look at. I don't know about hospital pay scales. http://www.hfs.illinois.gov/costreports/ they are called IDPH Long Term cost reports.

3. Find a school you can acheive your goals, transfer out, take the loans, you will make money.

4. As an Adminstrator. As an employer. This is what I would like to see in nursing staff.

a. As a floor nurse, you are in charge of your patient. Ensure you know everything about that patient and be proactive on giving them the tender loving care they crave, give them their medicine on time, chart during the day because the Director of Nursing is going to chew your but off when you incure over-time. But there is lots to have-O.T.

b. Since you are in charge of your patient you are a leader of your Certified Nurse's Aide.

c. You must have a heavy hand in direction that C.N.A. and yourself by observing the patient in change of condition, ensure they have water to drink every shift if is not contraindicated. Protect them from falls, skin tears, and abuse. The C.N.A. are very underpaid and don't care as much-well some do care very much, but they are very over worked. So intentional and unintential mistakes happen. That is why you need to use good managerial techniques inworking wiht your C.N.A.

d. Always be willing to help, toilet, and guide the paitent.

e. Be willing to help your C.N.A. teach your C.N.A. what you expect. There are too many nurses out their that let C.N.A.s do what ever they want to do and let them to thier own devices. Don't do that. That is when paitents are left for hours in their own excrement, urine, they have a potential to fall and have skin tears. With that said a Nurse must be a leader for her crew, team, etc.

f. Don't give up.

g. Teas test my but... just apply yourself...

h. don't loose sight of your goals and career aspirations.

I. Learn to become a Director of Nursing or MDS Coordiantor. Job secrurity is good. Job secuirity is good for LPN adn RNs too.

cubs1977 · Feb 25, 2010

I cannot agree with David enough! I am a tech right now and am about to begin at Chamberlain College of Nursing on March 1st. I agree with him in regards to his views about being accepted into a program... there is one out there for you. But if you do not have the time to sit and wait to be accepted to a community college, you may have to apply to a private school, like I did. It is more expensive, but in the long run it will benefit you. You will end up with a BSN degree, which many hospitals are looking for from new grads anyway. Chamberlain has a 3 year accelerated program (if you are starting from scratch with no prereqs completed). I have many prereqs completed, so I am looking at taking about 2 years from start to finish to complete my BSN degree.

I also agree with him in regards to his advice about working on the floor. Being a tech, I understand the importance of guidance of a good nurse. Working as a tech (CNA) is extremely hard work, and without a nurses guidance, it is nearly impossible to be confident in your skills. Some nurses are not willing to help with taking patients to the bathroom. I will get a call on my phone from the front desk stating the room 02A has to go to the bathroom. The same nurse will call me 30 seconds later and tell me that room 19B has to go to the bathroom. This is all while I am taking ANOTHER patient to the bathroom. Obviously I cannot be in 3 places at one time. That means that the nurse would rather have 2 patients wait to go to the bathroom. And this is when patient falls happen- people get impatient (I wonder why?) and get up to go to the bathroom on their own with a nerve block still in effect.

So, it is really important to not only train your CNA well, but to be willing to help them out when they are getting backed-up.

Thanks for the advice, David! I really appreciate it!

peaceluvinurse2b · Feb 28, 2010

I cannot agree with David enough! I am a tech right now and am about to begin at Chamberlain College of Nursing on March 1st. I agree with him in regards to his views about being accepted into a program... there is one out there for you. But if you do not have the time to sit and wait to be accepted to a community college, you may have to apply to a private school, like I did. It is more expensive, but in the long run it will benefit you. You will end up with a BSN degree, which many hospitals are looking for from new grads anyway. Chamberlain has a 3 year accelerated program (if you are starting from scratch with no prereqs completed). I have many prereqs completed, so I am looking at taking about 2 years from start to finish to complete my BSN degree.
I also agree with him in regards to his advice about working on the floor. Being a tech, I understand the importance of guidance of a good nurse. Working as a tech (CNA) is extremely hard work, and without a nurses guidance, it is nearly impossible to be confident in your skills. Some nurses are not willing to help with taking patients to the bathroom. I will get a call on my phone from the front desk stating the room 02A has to go to the bathroom. The same nurse will call me 30 seconds later and tell me that room 19B has to go to the bathroom. This is all while I am taking ANOTHER patient to the bathroom. Obviously I cannot be in 3 places at one time. That means that the nurse would rather have 2 patients wait to go to the bathroom. And this is when patient falls happen- people get impatient (I wonder why?) and get up to go to the bathroom on their own with a nerve block still in effect.
So, it is really important to not only train your CNA well, but to be willing to help them out when they are getting backed-up.
Thanks for the advice, David! I really appreciate it!

Are you in the Joliet area? I'm starting at JJC this summer to begin my prereq's for the nursing program but I want to work as a CNA while I go to school. I checked out JJC's CNA program but it looks like it's about $1,100.00. I've been trying to find another program somewhere else but haven't had much luck. Where did you take your CNA course? Thanks for any info you may have. Peace & Love,

Nicole

David1 · Feb 28, 2010

Yes I am in the Joliet area. I have talked to the JJC Nurisng Director. Becoming a C.N.A. is not required to get into their nursing program. Nursing 140 is, or it's an elective, unless I am mistaken. (I am not sure, but I am checking into the program and I have not made up my mind to attend to it). Nursing 140 is an overview course on nursing that could give you heads up if you want to become a nurse.

You can become a C.N.A by going to Spectrum, PCCTI, I believe their tuition costs are lower. They are located in Oak Brook Terrace.

Being a C.N.A. is nothing like a nurse. Talk to the nursing dean at JJC for advice. $1100 is a lot of money to become a C.N.A. $1100.00 is just about four full time classes at JJC (one term). That $1100. would be better spent paying for other courses you need.

The pay for C.N.A.'s is low and it is very hard work. The pay is $9.75 hour to $10.50 an hour. The schedule that you would work is not as flexible as you would think. My daughter works as a bank teller. Her hours are wonderful, and she makes more money than a C.N.A., while she is going to get her pre-reguisites done at JJC.

Oh working in assisted living facilities pay the same but not at much risk and lighter duty. Provena Hospital two years ago paid my wife in the dementia Domiano unit as an Activity Aide on the weekeneds close to $14.00 hours. She did not even have to become a C.N.A.

You could check out a medical technician type course that is less expensive, like phlebotomist or a medical assistant. You could work in a doctors office (nicer work environmnet). Get a job at a hospital of some sort, or if you are a C.N.A. work in a doctors office too.

If you can, get your BSN in nursing. You can then be assured placement in a hospital. I feel being a C.N.A. in a nursing home carries too much risk where you could be accused of abuse and neglect if you are not careful in carrying out your duties. I feel that C.N.A.s are special type of people for what they do and put up with from residents and fellow staff members. They do not get the credit that is due them and the burn out is high.

Good luck to you. If you do become a C.N.A. that is great. I don't want to discourage you. We need loving capable people out their to be C.N.A.s.

Reese2012 · Jul 22, 2011

Are you in the Joliet area? I'm starting at JJC this summer to begin my prereq's for the nursing program but I want to work as a CNA while I go to school. I checked out JJC's CNA program but it looks like it's about $1,100.00. I've been trying to find another program somewhere else but haven't had much luck. Where did you take your CNA course? Thanks for any info you may have. Peace & Love,
Nicole

Try Spectrum Nursing in Bolingbrook, IL. I went there for my CNA class and it was about $700.00. Pretty reasonable. Your clinicals were held in Westmont.

Good luck

determined_30 · Feb 5, 2012

Anyone still here taking prerequisites at jjc?