Any Prairie State college hopefuls for fall 2012

Jasel, BSN, RN · May 15, 2012

Ok I see what your saying! My friend thats currently in the program I went with her to the uniform store last year and she brought a uniform there for clinicals. She went to life uniform on Harlem. I guess I'm saying lol that you don't have to buy them at orientation that's what the acceptance letter is stating. Am I making any sense? Lol

Ahh I see what you mean. Ya I don't think you have to order your uniforms during orientation, you just have to have them by clinicals. I already knew my size so just ordered mine there. But the uniforms they have you actually can purchase (the brand is Cherokee Workwear) in some uniform stores. I actually already had the exact same scrubs for the program that I wore at my previous job but didn't find out until they were delivered. Not sure if they sell them in the bookstore at school.

What color are the uniforms for fall 2012? Did you have to get a stethoscope or eye pens or anything?

The uniforms are a somewhat dark green top and pants. They allowed students to wear the old uniforms though (green scrub top with PSC patch, and white scrub pants) since some of the students we had in the fall didn't make it the first time and they were returning. That way they didn't have to buy a new set of scrubs. Not sure if they will allow that for the fall 2012 class though but they probably will.

Get a stethoscope (don't get some cheap/low quality/heavy one, get a decent stethoscope that is light and comfortable around your neck. Mine was like $30 and completely worth it), pen light, medical scissors, a roll of measuring tape (small and convenient), Black markers, stock up on Black pens and mechanical pencils (for quizzes), a second hand watch, a blood pressure cuff (something convenient, not bulky and a burden, the ones at school aren't bad but kind of expensive. I ordered mine off amazon), a small bottle of hand lotion, and some small bottles of hand sanitizer. Bottles that you can fit in your scrub pocket. The tape, hand sanitizer, and lotion are kind of optional but when you need to measure wounds and pressure ulcers you'll be glad you had the tape on hand. Hand sanitizer is usually available in the homes and hospitals but I impressed my clinical instructor when she needed some and I pulled it out of my pocket. And you do a lot of hand washing/sanitizing and your hands get dry so lotion helps.

HighPursuit23 · May 16, 2012

hey you, thanks for the reply, i got the acceptance letter about a week ago. let me know how you're doing-and don't let this school change you're profession. i know any school like to weed people out, so i am not that excited to be 1 of the 95 people. i feel like i didn't really earn to be in the program due to the fact i got 20 indistrict points. my grades are high but my confidence is low because of not getting in last year. i have to regroup and get back into gear because i work, and plan on quitting when i start this program.
if you did not receive a letter by last week that means you didn't get in, i called last week and they sent the letters out may 4th, and said they will be sending rejection letters out about a week after may 4th.
i will definitely keep you updated on the program and what to expect and i hope you get in, and if not now, then next year, make sure you keep you're grades up in communication 101, psych 101&, a&p 1&2 micro, eng 101 & 102 and humanities if you take it. dr. nelson is awesome for a&p.
keep me updated! let me know if you have anymore questions

thanks shollidd!!! but i am done with my courses as of this semester!!! not feeling sour at all about not getting in prairie states nursing program!!! i'm just going to take some classes going to my bachelors degree in the fall!!! my mind is already made up!!! :hug:i'm very young... 26 so i can wait out another year but never will i ever apply at another community college!!! sorry can't do that because now i don't know what to do... so this fall it's general chemistry and that's it!!! thanks you in advance and congratulations on your acceptance into the program!!! :w00t: :nurse:

Jasel, BSN, RN · May 16, 2012

By the way your awesome! You give great info! Just a FYI

Thx :) I know how intimidating it can be starting the PSC nursing program, especially with it's reputation for being hard. I don't mind helping people know what to expect.

shollidd · May 16, 2012

Thanks a lot!! did you buy all of you're supplies on amazon?

What is the order of the classes? Nurse 111 in summer or Fall with Nurs 101

Then spring 102? then fall 2013 nurs 201? and spring 2014 nurs 202 and 211?

shollidd · May 16, 2012

Awesome girlie, keep me updated!! St.Xavier, Governors State, IUN, UIC, Chicago State, it's a few Universities out there, let me know which ones you're interested in.

Jasel, BSN, RN · May 16, 2012

Thanks a lot!! did you buy all of you're supplies on amazon?
What is the order of the classes? Nurse 111 in summer or Fall with Nurs 101
Then spring 102? then fall 2013 nurs 201? and spring 2014 nurs 202 and 211?

A lot I already had from working as an LPN. Some you can find at nursing uniform stores (stethscope, penlight, shoes, scissors, etc). Measuring tape I forgot where but anything you need you can just get off amazon, walgreens, office supply, etc.

Nursing 111 is either in the summer or the fall. It depends on if there are enough spots open to register for it (if you're trying for the summer) by the time your number is called to hand in your registration. I recommend taking it in the summer so you don't have to take it in the fall along with 101. And you got the rest right. 102 in spring, then 201 in fall of 2013 and 202 in 2014. I'm not sure about 211. Actually I'm not even sure if there is one O_o If there is it's not being offered this summer so idk.

dcw132003 · May 16, 2012

so much information! but totally helpful! im a 2013 hopeful and this information is really helpful!!!! jansel, i do have another question, from your schedule above it looks like its one class a semester. is this right? if so, do you think its doable to take other courses along with it or will nursing be taking up all of my time? and shollidd, how many points did you have?

Jasel, BSN, RN · May 16, 2012

so much information! but totally helpful! im a 2013 hopeful and this information is really helpful!!!! jansel, i do have another question, from your schedule above it looks like its one class a semester. is this right? if so, do you think its doable to take other courses along with it or will nursing be taking up all of my time? and shollidd, how many points did you have?

You can take other classes if you want I imagine. I've never heard of anyone doing that before but I'm sure it's happened. But unless its like Nurs 111 along with Nurs 101, I would NOT recommend that. If I didn't already have my LPN and had gone through a nursing program already I don't think I would even still be in the PSC program. First semester wasn't horrible for me but keep in mind we lost over 30 students 1st semester alone. I can't imagine how much harder that would make it for someone whose unfamiliar with Nursing programs, curricula, and testing if they were taking other courses. You'll want to dedicate as much of your focus as you can to the program :)

Nursebetie · May 16, 2012

You can take other classes if you want I imagine. I've never heard of anyone doing that before but I'm sure it's happened. But unless its like Nurs 111 along with Nurs 101, I would NOT recommend that. If I didn't already have my LPN and had gone through a nursing program already I don't think I would even still be in the PSC program. First semester wasn't horrible for me but keep in mind we lost over 30 students 1st semester alone. I can't imagine how much harder that would make it for someone whose unfamiliar with Nursing programs, curricula, and testing if they were taking other courses. You'll want to dedicate as much of your focus as you can to the program :)

So being a LPN did help huh?

dcw132003 · May 16, 2012

thanks. how much were the uniforms at oreintation?

Nursebetie · May 16, 2012

Jasel:

How was the hesi and did a lot of people make it just curious my friend took hers at 9a and she said she was amazed at how many people wasn't there!

shollidd · May 16, 2012

hey dc i had 132, mainly because of the 20 indistrict points because i didn't get in last year so they added additional 10 to make it 20 indistrict points. total was 137 but hesi had taken 5 away so 132 is what i got accepted in with.