Kathyz

Hi, all! I just graduated from an ADN program in December. I work part-time (3 days a week) as a CNA at a hospital. I love this floor (Med-surg and Hospice) and last fall my boss offered me a position as an RN. So needless to say, there were many...

I had a Master's in another field when I decided to get my nursing degree. There are so many entry points for becoming an RN. I finally chose an ADN program. It's so cheap and most hospitals, like mine, pay the same across the board no matter what...

I started working at Glenbrook during my last semester of nursing school as a PCT. My manager knew I wanted to be hired on her floor as an RN. Therefore I was very lucky to get my job. However, I'm not sure if was luck as much as foresight. I lov...

I am a new grad and just completed orientation for NorthShore Healthcare (Evanston, Glenbrook, Highland Park and Skokie Hospitals). They offer $7,500 sign on bonus with a two year commitment to the system. The first year you have to stay on your fl...

I work 7 miles from my job. There's a hospital right in my town, about 1 mile away. However, I love the health system I'm in.

You can get CEU's through in-services at your work, magazines and seminars. However, Illinois has not yet designed a date when RN's will need to earn CEUs.

I love the Pyxis too! My only problem is that it takes a while for it to recognize my fingerprint and sometimes not at all so I go to the other Pyxis. It is possible to override meds for a patient so just be sure you double check at the bedside too...

They don't call off new grad orientees or their preceptors during orientation. Now that it's over I want to be put on the "call off" list but my manager told me to wait a little while longer.

I know how you feel!! I have been off orientation for a week now. I thought things were going well into last night.... I took verbal orders over the phone from an MD (tons of meds, she was rattling off labs, etc). I felt like a complete idiot. I ...

:yeah:Hi, everyone! I work on a Med-Surg, Hospice and Oncology unit. I was a PCT for 8 months on the same floor while finishing my ADN degree. I've been on new grad orientation for the past 12 weeks at my hospital. I was of course a little worrie...

Thanks everyone!!:wink2:

I don't know much about Illinois Masonic. Actually Advocate Luthern General is right on the Des Plaines border which is a lot closer to where you're going to live. However, I heard they having a hiring freeze. Illinois Masonic is having an open ho...

I did really well on my school's exit HESI. I used the HESI book along with their CD. I didn't feel the test was very hard and like the OP said, it does not help with critical thinking at all. I felt the HESI was much easier than the NCLEX. Good l...

Fingers crossed!

Good luck!! Mine stopped at 75 last week and I passed. Hang in there and keep us posted! Kathy

I'm sorry you have this delay. At my school they told us up front we needed to have fingerprints done along with all the other expenses. Don't let this throw you for a loop. Keep studying. Good luck.

These are really good! Do question trainer #6 and #7. They keep getting progressively harder! Keep studying and doing the Q-bank and you'll pass.

Congratulations, new RN!!

I took Kaplan too and just passed the NCLEX-RN last week with 75 questions. I think the Qbank questions were the best!! You really learn a lot. Your diagnostic score was really high. That's great. Don't postpone that test. You know more than yo...

I just started my orientation this week for Res. I'm going to be working at RMC as a nurse extern/PCT. They were really quick with me. Just give them a call or e-mail to follow up. Also, don't you have to wait until you pass boards to officially w...

I did my first med-surg rotation at Alexian out in Elk Grove. Very friendly people. However, I still think they're mostly paper charting but trying to get away from that. I would choose that facility.

My husband knows the owner of Trace, Pat. Small world.........He uses their services at his nursing home!! I did my clinicals at Glenbrook. It's a great hospital but extremely, extremely small. Not sure about their ED department. U of C has a un...

I subscribe to Nursing Made Incredibly Easy, LPN2008, RN2008, AJN, RN and Advance for Nurses (bi-weekly magazine which is free; subscribe at advanceweb.com!). I keep them all and over the summer I re-read pertinent information.

I live a few miles from school and just started a Nurse Extern position in a hospital 3 miles away. (That was one of the biggest draws!) I'm not a fan of driving far. My husband drives 48 miles one way but has a Prius and gets a car allowance!! :...

I applied for the May 2006 start and am wondering what to expect. Thanks!