Northern Illinois University

Published

Anyone plan on applying there? Or currently attend?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I got my acceptance letter last week...now just have to decide where I want to go.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I got my acceptance letter last week...now just have to decide where I want to go.

What is your GPA? What was your accuplacer score?

Sorry for all the questions. I plan on applying there at the end of this year and I have heard that there are SO many people that apply and transfers are picked last.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

3.8 GPA & I believe the accuplacer was 80

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Did you decide to accept their offer or are you going somewhere else?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Just graduated in May. I had a great experience at NIU. They have some great teachers who love what they are doing. I just got a job as an ICU nurse as a new grad and I think my clinical experience as well as the program were what made them decide to hire me. The last semester really lets you choose what area you want to work in and they are great about pushing their students to be as professional as possible. First semester will make you want to cry mostly because there is soooo much to learn. Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Just graduated in May. I had a great experience at NIU. They have some great teachers who love what they are doing. I just got a job as an ICU nurse as a new grad and I think my clinical experience as well as the program were what made them decide to hire me. The last semester really lets you choose what area you want to work in and they are great about pushing their students to be as professional as possible. First semester will make you want to cry mostly because there is soooo much to learn. Good luck!

Did you work while in school? Do you have kids?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

No kids. I worked part-time during most of the program. I took time off my first track and the last. I lived about an hour away so I spent most of my time driving to and from class. I know many other students who worked and had kids but a full time job just isn't possible during the entire program if you want to do your best. I would suggest working part time and picking up hours when you can. Some weeks you'll have nothing to do and can work more hours, some weeks you'll be in the computer lab until the last second trying to perfect a paper. It's tough but worth it. Passed my NCLEX in 75 q in less than an hour.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
No kids. I worked part-time during most of the program. I took time off my first track and the last. I lived about an hour away so I spent most of my time driving to and from class. I know many other students who worked and had kids but a full time job just isn't possible during the entire program if you want to do your best. I would suggest working part time and picking up hours when you can. Some weeks you'll have nothing to do and can work more hours, some weeks you'll be in the computer lab until the last second trying to perfect a paper. It's tough but worth it. Passed my NCLEX in 75 q in less than an hour.

I've got two kids (ages 2 and 8) and I work part-time as a CNA (which I'm hoping will help me!). I've been waiting so long to be able to apply and now that the time has come, I'm so nervous. I don't think I can do it! :rolleyes: I also live about 50 minutes from the DeKalb campus so I'm sure I will be driving a lot too! I heard the clinical sites are in Rockford? So are you working now? I've been trying to get certificates while completing my pre reqs. I got my CNA certificate last summer and have been working as a CNA since. I just completed the Patient Care Technician (PCT) certificate course in the Spring. So, I'm hoping that with my CNA experience, I can obtain a hospital job working as a PCT part-time while in nursing school. Hopefully that will help me once I graduate nursing school (if I can do it). :D

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Can you give me an idea of what your typical schedule was like? Did you go 5x/week? All day?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I would have class/clinical 2 to 3 days a week depending on the track you are in. Some days were from 8-4 (it really depends on the class) with clinical from 7-4. I had clinical once a week at various sites until the end of the program then you go twice a week. That isn't a bad commute. Many people in the program (including me) drove about that every day. You can pick your clinical site that is closest to you. Go for it. The worst that can happen is that they don't accept you and have to wait a year to apply again. Having kids will really help you in your peds rotation and with exams.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I would have class/clinical 2 to 3 days a week depending on the track you are in. Some days were from 8-4 (it really depends on the class) with clinical from 7-4. I had clinical once a week at various sites until the end of the program then you go twice a week. That isn't a bad commute. Many people in the program (including me) drove about that every day. You can pick your clinical site that is closest to you. Go for it. The worst that can happen is that they don't accept you and have to wait a year to apply again. Having kids will really help you in your peds rotation and with exams.

I live in the Aurora area. Do you know of any sites that are close to me (Naperville, Aurora, Oswego, etc)? Thank you for all of your help! :heartbeat

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion