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I was told that I would receive 6 days orientation, however I got 4 days and then I was put on my own. I am a new graduate and it was completely overwhelming to me but I got the hang of it. It's been 5 months and I still learn something new every shift because like the other poster said there's somethings that you can't learn till you experience them yourself. I also made a "brain sheet" like they did, and it has been key to a sucessful night. Good luck!

I soo needed this thread. Last night was my 1st after 4 days of orientation. It was rough even though I had already made a cheat sheet of how each resident took their meds but I made it though it. I needed to hear that it will get better. I don't feel like nursing school clinicals prepared me at all for handling this client load but I will get into the groove soon.

The way it seems to work in NW IL is that new CNAs usually have to start off at a LTC facility. They can make anywhere from min. wage to about $12. Once you have at least 1 yr experience at LTC the hopspitals will actually look at your application and you can make anywhere from $12-16 depending - as a PCT I. Then they further train you to become a PCT II. Doctor's offices usually hire MA or CMA and pay $14-18, depending on if you do phlebotomy. In my opinion, MA or CMA, have easier work & better hours but CNA can be a stepping stone to Nursing if that is what you're interested in.

Don't feel discouraged! I was where you were 4.5 years ago. I started one evening class at a time, knocking off all the pre-req and co-reqs that I could. Now I'm in my last semester of Nursing school :) It took me 3 years of all the pre's and co's before I started the program. It probably won't be possible to work "full time 40" while you're in the program but worry about that later. There are lots of single moms making it work. It will all work out! I don't know where you live but I hear Oakton has a great nursing program. What kept me going was I made a plan of what classes I was going to take each semester and where my child would be during that time. It literally was a 5 year plan but it helped me focus on step by step. Our instructors encourage us to continue on for BSN but it isn't necessary to get a job. It may become that way but it's not there yet so don't worry about that right now either. Focus on getting good grades on all the stuff you have to do now because it's important for getting accepted into a program.

no they do not currently....

No problem! You will get the info on uniforms and stuff at orientation but you need a nice watch with a second hand (would be good if it also showed date and 24hr format), pen light, goggles (like you wore in Micro), comfortable white sneakers (no specific kind), the uniform is from Dove and it costs $58 per top. Shipping is crazy but me and 3 other girls ordered together and split the shipping. I also ordered 2 tops because there are weeks that you will have 2 clinicals and be in the lab so you may need a back up. There are some signs up in the Nursing locker room for people who are selling theirs also. Dove also sells pants but all you need are white scrub pants. I would give you the book list but they change that all the time. I emailed the bookstore and asked what was in the book bundle (because that's how they sell it) and then when I had the list I ordered it from Amazon. I'm not going to lie, Nursing school is hard because there's a lot of content and it's not just memorizing it's applying what you have learned. You end up juggling what class is important this week beacause there's an exam. Get into practice lab as soon as you can to practice CNA skills for that test. And make friends right away to you can form a study group - it's a necessity! I have a great group of girls that I study with all the time and I only knew one of them ahead of Nursing school. Also you can start getting your immunizations that you need at the Health Center and your physical there too. I'd call now to make an appt because they book up fast. Any other questions - ask away!

Congrats! I am just finishing up 1st semester and things are going great! What classes are you registered for for Spring? I know a couple other people that are starting this Spring also. I would recommend buying your books off from Amazon. You can register as a student and get free shipping for 2 yrs plus there's no tax. Their prices are cheaper than the bookstore and it saved me over $300. Wait till the 2nd 8weeks to buy the nursing kit from the bookstore. There are many books that you probably don't need to buy till later if you can't afford everything, let me know if you really want to know and I'll list them. Ask for a good stethoscope for Christmas. The Littman line is recommended - either the lightweight one or the master classic is good enough. Also I started out with a seperate 3in binder for each class but it was a pain. If I had to do it again I would've done one 3in binder with dividers that have pockets. Some people type their notes in a laptop but I absorb more writing and the professors don't go soo fast that you can't keep up. Good Luck!

Amazon was WAY cheaper than my bookstore PLUS they don't charge tax so that's a huge saving right there. I bought 7 books thru Amazon new for $396, got my Pharm book new on eBay for 13.99, and another recommended book on test taking for $9.00 also new. Got Evolve at the bookstore for $33 and I still need to buy the nursing kit for $100 later. So my total when I'm done should be at about $550. It pays to be a smart shopper!

The book was a quick read. I think they just want everyone to understand how difficult the next 2 years are going to be. Did you see that they changed the math requirement for 2011? Now you would have to test out of MTH080 NOT into it. And I also saw that Fall semester is full so they're not taking anymore applications.

Are you girls going to the Monday AM orientation or the Tues PM orientation? Did you buy Mosby book? I'm going to the Tues PM one....

YaY! I'm soo excited (and nervous)! Let me know if either of you want me to email you the syllabus for Patho and then if you wanted to you could start studying during the summer.

So did any of you register? I registered on Monday. I got into the Tues morning class with clinicals at ABMC pms. I'm also taking PSY228 this summer. Anyone taking summer classes?

You can also view the clinical hours from this spring schedule to give you an idea too. Clinicals start the 2nd 8 weeks. Luckily my 3 yr old is in preschool and the school she's at has daycare avail from 6:30am to 6pm so when she finishes preschool they take her right to childcare if I'm not there for pick up. And psy228 you can also take online.

I think that's the best way to go too. I got my letter of intent from Harper today so yours should be in the mail too!

that's funny! i got that letter too and was hoping it was the "official" letter too! i just want to see it on paper to make it more real! i wish they would at least put the fall schedule up so we could see what is going to be available. i have 2 little kids schedules to work around and it's hard trying to plan things out 6 months from now! i don't have a job right now to work around so that helps but i would love to have a part time one if i could handle it. it's good that both of you have most of the other coursework finished. you'd be amazed at how many people go into it with a 18 credit hour first sememster of nursing!

Congrats Erica & cityofwonder....I also applied and was accepted! I'm soo excited! I have a bunch of friends in the program now and the only advice I have for you is if you haven't already taken Micro or Psy228 take it before you enter the program. There are soo many people struggling because they are taking Micro, Psy228, Patho, and the core nursing classes.

I am currently in Micro now. I agree with all the suggesting of the above poster, they're all great. In addition a basic biology review would be great. Basic biology is the foundation of the class so if it's been a long time since you've take it - it will help alot. You don't want to read all the chapters of the book or memorize all that's in them b/c it may be way more than you need to know. But if you have the class syllabis it may help tons to weed thru the info. Good luck, I have found it to be a very interesting and fun class!

I also took it at Harper and I think it was well worth it. I would suggest scheduling your NLN exam right after the prep class for maxium retention :) It's now $225 and it's under their continuing education section.

Hello! I think I am going to try to apply for Spring. Where do I get a copy of my NLN score or will a regular copy work? Thanks!

I am taking Micro this fall. I was wondering if there was any "pre-studying" anyone would recommend so that I could go into the class feeling more solid? Or anything that was a lifesaver to them while taking the class? Thanks!

I took an NLN prep class offered at the college and that helped I think because it was designated study time. I also registered for the NLN the week after the prep class ended. I highly recommend the NLN review by MacDonald. I thought there were several vocab words from there. Also I tried something new (that was taught in class) for comprehension. Instead of reading the article, I first read the questions and skimmed for the answers. Then when I had time to go back and check over my answers if I had time to read I did. This took some practice, I did it for every practice exam and my scores improved everytime. As far as Math goes, that was super hard for me. I ran out of time actually. Make sure to practice your timing because it's not good enough to be able to figure out the answers...you have to figure them out quickly. Science I found that studying the NLN review book was right on too. Good luck!

FYI Micro classes are OPEN now! girlfriday...thanks for the advice!

Sandy's great, I had her for Physio. So what Micro class did you get put into?

Thanks for posting for your friend! I started there last week and things are going very well!

From what I was told by the dept head is that they have Micro (1 Monday and Weds evening class and 1 Monday and Weds late afternoon class) reserved for nursing students only. You can't even see it on the schedule but it is scheduled. So if you're trying to figure out your schedule you can pencil that in.