Joliet Junior College TEAS & RN Spring 2015

student4u2 · Nov 17, 2014

Registration was exciting & crazy all at once. SO much information, and was I the only one who thought that the uniform ordering was not only there late, slowww but very un-organized??! Anyway, I purchased 2 tops with patches, and 2 jackets with patches. I refuse to wear those scratchy pants that Cherokee makes. I will go purchase my own bottoms that are softer in black. I personally love the Greys Anatomy scrubs, because they are SO comfortable. I will also probably end up purchasing the (Cherokee Grape) color tops by a different company that makes them softer, and have my patches transferred from the Cherokee scratchy tops to the new softer tops I purchase. I will be stuck with the mandatory scratchy Cherokee jackets, but that will not be so bad if I have soft scrubs. Plus we only have clinicals one day a week when they start. Anyone else been organizing like I have? I started working on my binders, and trying to get it all in order. What I picked up at registration is the ORGANIZATION is the key to success in the program. I am also OCD & ADD to a point - so I have all my paper work completed-except for my drug testing that I am taking tomorrow. I am excited and nervous about this whole journey, but SO ready to get it started. Anyone else?? :wacky:

thimble · Nov 18, 2014

Registration was exciting & crazy all at once. SO much information, and was I the only one who thought that the uniform ordering was not only there late, slowww but very un-organized??!

YES! I was the third person in my group to order scrubs (thankfully) but it took about 20+ minutes to get through the two people in front of me. They were so unorganized and unprepared, I couldn't believe it.

It was definitely a lot of information. I wish they'd made a check-list! I want to get everything done ASAP.

I've already gotten my physical and a few shots. My PCP did the first TB test but I'm a little concerned about whether or not St. Joe's will "accept" it; they made it seem like they're particular about where you have it done. Honestly, I don't know if I want to get it done at the health department...

My class schedule is the following, by the way:

Monday: Nurse 150 theory 8-9:50 and Nurse 140 10-11:50

Tuesday: Nurse 150 clinical 7-1

Thursday: Nurse 150 clinical topics 8-10

Friday: Nurse 150 theory 8-9:50 and Nurse 140 10-11:50

student4u2 · Nov 18, 2014

Thimble, it looks like we will have our classes together. It appears that we will also have clinicals together. I had all my shots, titer, TB and etc. done at my primary doctors office and that is what I am using and submitting. I had all this done for phlebotomy that I am finishing up now. They had no problems with my TB test being done by my primary, but we shall see when I turn it into the RN department. I had the urine drug screen done today, and now I am just waiting to get my results via e-mail so I can bring all this paper work in to the RN office this week.

KCAmbition · Nov 18, 2014

Registration was crazy lol, really hectic but can't wait to get started though. I purchased a jacket and t shirt with the patch because we only have clinics once a week. Does anybody know do you need to wear any extra scrubs when your practicing in the simulation Labs? I have my doctors appointment today, once I get my tests and stuff done I'll turn everything in at once.

student4u2 · Nov 18, 2014

KC, I have no clue about what we wear when we are in sims lab. I hope we get all that information in our orientation January 9th. Good luck at the doctors office today. :up:

student4u2 · Nov 19, 2014

I just finished dropping off all my paperwork off at the office. It is completed, and one less hurdle to get over. I had all my shots and etc. done by my PCP, and they were totally fine with that. The drug screening/background check was done and e-mailed super fast back to me also. So far so good...Hope that kind of momentum keeps up. LOL! :smug:

JMarie19 · Nov 21, 2014

Hi guys!! I'm finishing up 1st semester and sometimes check back here to see how everyone is doing. I used this site a lot when preparing for the program to start and had lots of questions too, so if there's anything I can help with, Id love to answer questions! I'm currently in the night program and our clinicals started at 4 and go until 10. I dont think the clinical will start at 2 unless something changed. Our other classes are 4-6 and one is 5:15-7:15pm. There is another group where the times vary slightly but the classes are typically around the same time for the evening group. You guys will only wear your uniforms at clinical, and then on the Skills testing day at the end of the semester at school. Otherwise, you will not be in your uniforms at school, including sim lab days. My biggest tip for the program is to get organized, and stay organized! They give you a calendar at the beginning of the semester with all the important dates and times, including your class schedule...and that is super helpful! I've kept that in a binder and added my assignments and other important dates to it, and refer back to it often. You will all do great if you do your reading, studying, and stay on top of things. The teachers and staff are wonderful in my experience and really do try to help you, so don't hesitate to ask questions if you need clarification on anything. I'm excited for you all! You are in for a great ride :) Welcome to Nursing!

kobydogs · Nov 25, 2014

Hey there, just throwing this out there. If you are accepted to the program, you are already a member of the Nursing Student Association. We would love to have you at the meetings starting now. You would be happily welcomed even before you start the program. The earlier you get involved the better. Involvement in NSA will look great on a future resume. They meet once a month on Thursdays at 3pm. Feel free to call the nursing department to see when future meetings are. It's a great way to speak to current students and teachers and ask all those burning question. Once the semester starts, it's a bit of a whirlwind. Congrats on being accepted!!

thimble · Dec 1, 2014

I finally finished all my paperwork, shots, tests, etc. and I've almost finished buying all my gear.

I had a question about shoes, maybe someone here can help me.

Would these be acceptable? The Dansko White Blue Smooth Leather from the Elise collection.

I want to buy my shoes ASAP so I can break them in. They also come with a smooth top

The Dansko White Smooth Leather from the Elise collection.

Any help would be greatly appreciated! If you have any other suggestions, feel free to let me know. I have no idea where to begin when it comes to shoes.

student4u2 · Dec 27, 2014

It has been a bit since I have been on here due to phleb. clinicals, finals, and the holiday. I hope everyone is still doing great. Thimble, I believe those shoes are just fine for clinicals. They have to be all white, closed toes, and leather. So you should be good to go with those shoes. I have a pair of all white leather Nurse Mates that I used when I got my CNA a few years back, and I will just use those. I still can't believe we will all be starting our new journey in 2 weeks, and that our classes open up online in one week. I have so many mixed emotions regarding the program, and I go from excited to scared to death in 1 second flat. I know this is going to be the ride of our lives. I have a friend who just finished her second semester finals in the program and is moving on to her third semester. She did tell me that we will make friendships that will last a lifetime, and that brings me much solace in knowing that we are not alone on this amazing ride. :wacky:

student4u2 · Dec 27, 2014

Oh yah, and I got a ZUCA rolling bag for Christmas for the program. Has anyone ever used the ZUCA rolling bag for books? It is quite sturdy, and nice. Our paperwork said to go with a rolling bag for the program, and I do not want to carry all those heavy books in a book bag. I have never used a rolling bag for any class, and this will be the first time. So I was just curious about any thoughts regarding the rolling bag.

Gsanch · Jan 2, 2015

For anyone still in need of nursing books for jjc nursing program I have the entire set from last semester that I am selling. I left the program due to personal circumstances and have the whole package. The entire set usually sells for around $750 but I'm selling them at a much lower price than that. The books were used for half a semester and a are still in perfect condition with no flaws at all to the cover or binding. If you still need books and are interested please contact me at [email protected]. I will be happy to send pics, answer questions, and discuss the pricing. It sucks having to fork over 3,000 dollars for the program and it sucks even more to have to dish out an extra 800 for books. Why not get the exact same books for cheaper and in the same high quality as out of the box.

Thank you, Geno