AveryJane

I was actually shocked about that part - it got here really fast. After I talked to them, it arrived two days later or so. So - that part is speedy!

Noviciate - thank you so much! That's just what I needed - it is kind of hard to figure out about the smaller hospitals in such a big city when you're not from there. I applied to a few of those and already heard back about an interview from one place - so really - thank you sooo much.

I haven't sat for the NCLEX yet. But, I've been told that as long as you apply for licensure in the state you plan to work in - you can take the test in any state. Hope that helps - let me know if you have any other questions!

I am moving to Illinois from another state as well! I was told to apply for licensure in Illinois. It is kind of a challenge in Illinois though. :) This is how I did it: I applied online first for the appropriate license. Then, I gave my school the ED-NUR form which you can print off from the internet as well. You also have to have your school send your official transcript to them after you graduate. For the fingerprints - you'll have to contact the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation to have them send you an out-of-state fingerprint card. Then you have to go a local police authority, get ink fingerprints. Then, you have to find a place in IL that will process your fingerprint card. The directions for this will come with the out-of-state fingerprint card. Then, you submit the FP-NUR to Illinois as well - it's a form stating you completed this fingerprinting process. The fingerprinting part is the worst - especially if you are out of state. And, when you call the IL dept of professional regulation, be ready for it to be busy ALOT. I usually try to call in the morning and just call repeatedly, you'll get through eventually. Then, you'll need some time to be on hold - I've called about 3 times and never been on hold for more than about 20 minutes..so it's not too bad. This sounds awful I know - but you can do it! It's all available online. I spent a long time trying to get it all right - so if you have any other questions once you get started I might be able to help. Good luck!

Hi Everyone - I have been searching around these forums a lot throughout nursing school, and today I thought maybe I could use a little help. I'm graduating in May (yay!) from nursing school with a BSN. I live in Kansas City now, but I'm moving to Chicago if I ever get a job. Therein lies the problem. I have applied at quite a few hospitals, but I'm just not hearing back from places yet. I'm learning now that while there is a nursing shortage, hospitals really aren't all that eager to bring on a whole bunch of new graduates who they have to train completely. I just thought it'd be a little easier for me because I'm pretty flexible about what I want to do - I'm willing to work nights, in fact I want to work nights. I'd like to start out in Med/Surg, but there are only a few areas I wouldn't want to work in. I just really don't know what to do now, and it is really really starting to worry me that I have no job and no prospects. I've applied to Rush, Northwestern, University of Chicago, Lincoln Park Hospital, Advocate Illinois Masonic, and I think that is it. Does anyone know of other hospitals (that wouldn't be impossible to get to from Lakeview with no car) to apply to? Any advice is greatly appreciated - I'm definitely into freak-out mode now.

This is the stethoscope that I just got - the PureTone with the antimicrobial SafeSEALS. So far so good...I bought it at a store run by a retired RN. She and I both compared it to the Littman and agreed that the sound on the PureTone was better. And it's a soft, colorful rubbery seal over the diaphragm and bell that is resistant to bacteria!