Mrs.Yost

I'm in Chicago (somewhat high cost of living, but not really higher paying). Day shift $22/hr. Afternoon differential 2.50 Nights differential 3.25 Weekend differential 2.00

I took my NCLEX in November. I don't think I had any pharm questions. Several math calculation problems though.

I am a DCN online grad. This program was the ONLY option that I had in completing my degree (short of quitting my full time job and waiting through a 2 year wait list at a local school), so I obviously feel that this program is of great value(i know it's expensive, but it was sooo worth it to me). However, most of the current students probably don't know alot of the things that some of the past students have gone through in order to get this program to where it is today (still has a long way to go). There were many extremely unfair practices that went on in the early days of the program. These are probably some of the very things that poe me is still bitter about. While I agree, poe me should probably let some of her anger towards the program go, I believe her anger is probably justifiable. Nadja, I am somewhat aware of the item of great interest that you mentioned above. Is it possible for you to PM me about the details and possible ways to be involved.

Yep, the Deaconess program has become very popular since I started the program. Unfortunately, I may be quicker to go through a traditional ASN program than to wait to get into Deaconess. It can also be EXTREMELY dificult to find a hospital willing to help you out with clinical time. I contacted sooo many hospitals that I lost count. I was finally able to secure a contract at a hospital 1.5 hours from home. Not ideal, but it worked for me. An additional note on Excelsior taken from page 3 of the Illinois licensure application: "Excelsior College is an unapproved Nursing education program in the state of Illinois due to the fact that it does not have concurrent theory and clinical components as required by the Illinois Nursing and Advanced Practical Nursing Act. Therefore, it is considered a correspondence course which is identified by the Act as not meeting the requirements for licensure." I know that Illinois will consider an Excelsior grad that is already licensed in another state and has 2+ years of RN experience in another state, however when I first approached the Illinois BON about this I was told not to bother with Excelsior because it is not guaranteed that the BON will grant a license even if you already have a license and experience in another state. They actually said that they do not like when Illinois residents complete the Excelsior program, work in another state for 2 years, and then apply for licensure back in Illinois. It is sometimes viewed by the BON as deceptive and trying to get around the Illinois Nurse Practice Act. Different story though for Excelsior grads licensed and residents of another state that relocate. This is certainly not meant to bad mouth the Excelsior program. I would have definitely went with Excelsior had I lived in a state other than Illinois. The program is definitely cheaper than Deaconess!

yep, we rotate. 3 weeks on days and then 3 weeks on nights and so on and so on...... 12 hour shifts.

Back to the Original Poster's Question... Yes, IL does recognize Deaconess grads. I am a Deaconess grad and just passed my boards. Have been working in IL for 3 months as a nurse - license pending. Yes, Deaconess is very expensive, fortunately my husband and I were able to pay for it. The Deaconess program is the only one that would fit with my work schedule and other committments and therefore, was well worth the price to me. A traditional program simply was not an option for me. (Besides, if I had gone to a traditional program I would still be onl the waiting list!)

From what I understand, the IL BON has an issue with the fact that the theory portion of the program and the clinical portion of the program do not run concurrently (the CPNE taken after theory coursework is completed). The IL Nurse Practice Act requires the theory and clinical components to taken concurrently to be an approved nursing school. Of course, each state has it's own requirements, so always check with your own state BON (has that been said yet?!)

I agree, it's best to contact your state BON directly. Most of them should be familiar with the EC program and should be able to give you their state's requirements for EC grads.

Illinois will NOT license an EC grad. They will consider it on a case by case basis, only after that EC grad has worked as a licensed RN for 2 years in another state (license reciprocity).

I am starting my new graduate nursing position in a few weeks in a large Trauma ICU. I want to be as prepared as possible so I was hoping you guys could give me an idea of what items I should bring with me...I know my stethoscope and pens, but what other items should I bring?? Do I need a fanny pack or something like that to keep my supplies in throughout the shift? Any suggestions that you guys might have to help me feel prepared and organized will be greatly appreciated!

I am starting my new graduate nursing position in a few weeks in a large Trauma ICU. I want to be as prepared as possible so I was hoping you guys could give me an idea of what items I should bring with me...I know my stethoscope and pens, but what other items should I bring?? Do I need a fanny pack or something like that to keep my supplies in throughout the shift? Any suggestions that you guys might have to help me feel prepared and organized will be greatly appreciated!

I will be starting in September as a GN in the Trauma ICU at a large teaching hospital in Chicago!

I have one this weekend that is three days (12 + hours each day).

I think that you are correct about assessing for rebound tenderness in the left lower quandrant. I think that there is a possibility of rupturing the appendix (if there is in fact appendicitis present) if you palpate the right lower quadrant. The appendix is in the right lower quadrant at McBurney's point (halfway between the umbilicus and the right iliac crest). My clinical guide just has palpate the abdomen. Not too much information there.

I have seen quite a few ads for 5A-5P shifts and 5P-5a shifts.

Hi guys, I will be graduating this July (had one last stupid class to finish so May was out for me). Anyways, I am in the south suburbs (Joliet area) and I am looking for any information you guys can provide on the Chicagoland hospitals. I currently commute downtown Chicago for work so commute time isn't really a problem for me. Which hospitals should I avoid (if any)? Which hospitals have good training programs for new grads? Which hospitals have better salary/differentials? I would really appreciate any information you guys mights be able to provide. Thanks in advance

The school is not for sale. While the school is in the same location as Forest Park Hospital, the school is not a part of Forest Park Hospital.

I've gotten student loans through the DCN financial aid office but a large portion of the schooling has had to be paid out of pocket. As far as student loans go, it will depend on your family's financial situation. As far as scholarships, the only students that I know of that have scholarships are on campus students. Several of the are on the program with Forest Park hospital that provides tuition assistance with the promise of X # of years working at Forest PArk after graduation. Not sure if any web based students are on scholarships. Haven't heard of any, but it's possible.

Congratulations Amy on the run of good luck! "See" you in class on Monday. Heatherbless, I did get some student loans, but have had to pay for quite a bit out of pocket. It will all depend on your financial situation (income, # of dependents, etc.) The courses that I have taken at other schools for transfer in to DCN (microbiology, chemistry, a&p, etc.) I have paid for on my own. Not quite sure how the financial aid would work when dealing with multiple schools.

I would have preferred to take the Weber course, but I have procrastinated so long that it would delay my finishing my program. My last day of class at DCN is July 30 and the Weber summer courses don't end until August something. Not like that it a really long time, but it then takes time for the transcripts to be sent and it can take awhile to get the graduation paperwork together for the boards from what I hear. I just don't want to have anything slow down my graduation (even if it is only by a few weeks). As far as transferring to a BSN program, that might be a concern for anyone wanting to pursue a BSN. I already have a BS and don't plan on pursuing a BSN as there are several direct entry programs for MSN if you already have a BS in another subject. On a side note, I also had previous Chemistry credit that DCN would not accept. They would take the lab portion, but not the lecture portion. Weird huh?

Thanks for the info Amy. I just changed my chemistry course to the 101 rather than the 111. Hoping it will be easier. I'm starting on Monday. Did you enroll for this one?

Amy P, I'm looking at taking the CHM 111. You might want to double check that 101 is acceptable. Are you going to enroll for March 1?

I use a laptop for DCN, as well as a desktop but I've had mine for awhile so I can't really recommend a good place to get one. Might want to try dell.com, they sometimes have some deals going on. You will save some money with doing your other courses at local schools, just make sure you have your advisor approve the course description before you take the course. I had several courses that I had previously taken (Microbiology, etc.) that I had to retake because DCN would not accept them. Just make sure you get it in writing (or on email or something like that) Good luck finding your new laptop!

Congratulations! I didn't do anything special to get in either, but that was 4 semesters ago (not as many applicants) and I also have a bachelors degree.

That's great that they have dropped the general education residency requirement. I hope that is the same for those of us in the program for awhile. I will be done this summer and besides Life Span IV, the only things I had left to do were 6 general ed credits (all required gen ed credits were transferred from previous degree). Mona B, how is your semester going so far?