CLC students?

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Are there any CLC (College of Lake County) students out there?

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Yep! There are a bunch of us that peruse this site. I'm Colleen, and I'm in my 3rd semester at CLC. Anything I can help with?

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I just have your basic questions. Is it as excruciating as I've been hearing? What is the average student age? Are you nights or mornings? I'm 36 and felt like the eldest in my CNA course. I worked my but off to get in, so determination is my strongest tool right now. Good for you, you only have one semester left!!

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Well, I don't know if I'd call it excrutiating, but it is a tough course. NOT for the faint-hearted for sure! I asked that same question about age when I was considering the program, because this is a second career for me. I'm 42 now, and when I entered the program in Spring of '08 I was told that the average age for the folks entering the Spring '08 semester was 41. So I fit right in! There will definitely be students younger than you, but there will be lots of students older than you too. Lots of ladies (and guys) start families and wait until their kids are in school, etc. before starting a rigorous program like this.

One of my friends, Lori, works full time and has a 3 year old daughter. She is in the night class, and I cannot even imagine how tough it is on her. I'm in one of the day sections, and only have one child who is away at college, so it's much easier for me I think. I work part-time as a Student Nurse Intern at a local hospital, but only 1-2 shifts per week, so it's not too bad.

Did you take the NLN exam already? Have you gone to the info session for the nursing program? Have you been accepted already? Questions, questions!!!

Seriously, if you have any other questions, fire away!!! We're here to help!

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I went to the info meeting in October 08, I took my NLN in December, applied in January, took the CNA course, and received my acceptance letter the end of March. Seemed like eternity. And I really didn't expect to get in, but I did alot of praying. I am very excited and grateful, and actually looking forward to the hard work. My kids are still fairly young, my youngest starts kindergarten in the fall. But I have full support from my husband, kids, and parents. I am very lucky!

Have you gotten to watch a surgery yet? If so, please tell!

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First of all, CONGRATULATIONS!!!! It is HUGE to get accepted into the program, so give yourself a great big pat on the back for that. As you've probably heard, the college has changed the curriculum starting in Fall of '09, so you're in for a whole new experience. And it sounds like you've got a great support network, so I'm sure you'll be fine.

There is a thread on this site (in this Illinois nurses section) called "We got into the CLC nursing program, now what?" that one of my friends started way back in the fall of '07 when she got her acceptance letter. Here's a link: https://allnurses.com/illinois-nurses/we-got-into-258427.html It's really long by now - I think 40+ pages, but it has TONS of great information in it that will help you prepare for the program. Someday when you have some time, grab a cup of coffee or glass of wine and read through it.

I got to observe in surgery my first semester, and saw a 9 week old baby have a hernia repair and then went right into another surgery where a 40-ish man had a hernia repair. It was interesting for sure! 2nd semester we had OB, so I observed 2 caesarian births (one with tubal ligation) and that was amazing also. This semester I was in surgery for 2 days and saw some of the most incredible things! I saw a CABG (coronary artery bypass graft - open heart surgery), 2 cholecystectomies (gall bladder removal), a hernia repair, an I&D (irrigation and drainage) of a MRSA infected wound, and last but not least an AKA (above the knee amputation). That last one was really gross (lady was diabetic and entire foot was necrotic - pitch black and looked like burnt wood), but it was fascinating!!!

Did you register for your classes for fall already? Who is your instructor?

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I cannot register until I take my CNA exam tomorrow. I'm a little nervous just because it's the only thing that can prevent me from getting in, and there has been over a month gap since class. Other than that, I have all my ducks in a row (I think). I just don't know how to go about the fingerprinting process.

Sounds like you have seen alot in 1 1/2 years. VERY COOL!!

Thanks for the link. I think I will read it (with a glass of wine, or abeer or two.)

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Good luck with the exam tomorrow. I'm sure you'll sail right through it! I'm not sure about the fingerprinting... I don't think we had that - just a criminal background check.

Let me know if you have any questions once you review the link. (If you just type CLC into the search box up in the upper right you might find some other threads. I know the "We got into the CLC nursing program" once wasn't the first one I particpated in.)

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Question.

I'm currently a Licensed Practical Nurse here in the state of Illinois, employed and residing in Lake County, IL. Would like to pursue RN Program at CLC, how do I go about starting the program? I attended the Info Sessions last two yrs ago. Do I still have to take NLN given that am already an LPN?

Thank you.

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To my understanding you will have to take the NLN. I have a friend who is a LPN, she contacted CLC to see if they would accept her as a 3rd semester student. They refused - if she wanted to go to CLC she would have to start from scratch. In addition to that, some of her science classes were older so she would have to take some additional science classes. I don't know what she ended up doing, but she didn't go to CLC. I hope this helps...good luck!

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Have you taken any classes at CLC? The science classes (chemistry, bio121, A&P, Micro) do not expire. I had to confirm that because my bio and A&P are fairly ancient. But they do not usually take transfers because the curriculum between different schools differ. Your information meeting cannot be more than 2 years old so you may have to attend another. They select 60 students per semester solely on the NLN exam scores, provided you have the pre reqs (eng, math, chemistry - high school or college, bio121, and now they have added CNA). You can retake the NLN every 6 months ($50 a pop) to improve your percentile. Go to www.clcillinois.edu and it covers everything you need.

CLC is very competitive for the simple reason: three times the amount of students apply than they allow in, so they do not bend rules. This fall semester I believe had 142 applicants. I am probably student number 60, but I'll take it!! they just added the CNA as a requirement, so I think that is what saved me, and probably shyed some students away.

Good luck! Check out the website and let me know if you have other questions. Don't get discouraged. Be determined and press forward!! (that's what i keep telling myself, and will be for the next 2 years)

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I thought I remember something about the fact that you can test out of the first 2 semesters if you're a licensed LPN. This may be old information though, because they are changing the curriculum starting Fall '09. Give the nursing department at the college a call, and they can help you I'm sure.

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