colleenm

Congrats to all of you!!!!! Regarding the CPR class, you need to have taken that prior to starting clinical. Which won't happen for a couple of weeks into the semester. So if there's a January CPR class available it should work too. Double check with the nursing office on that, but I'm pretty sure that's the way it is still. You'll have an orientation to attend in early January, and a lot will be explained then. CONGRATS again!!!!

Hi Kiki, I am in 4th semester at CLC now, but I remember being in your shoes. The waiting is TERRIBLE! Seems to me I found out in early to mid November. I remember the deadline for submitting your application was early September. I know for sure that we knew by Thanksgiving. Good luck to you, and feel free to PM me with any questions.

Interesting debate here... I personally am interested in the RN to MSN program. I am currently in my 4th semester of an ADN program. I've been told by many people (co-workers, managers, current instructors) that the RN-MSN route would be a great idea. That being said, can anyone tell me how the clinical portion of this program is handled? They say it's entirely online, so how do you handle clinicals - or aren't there any required? I'm interested in the MS in Nursing Education track. Thanks!

To all of you who responded to my post - THANK YOU! I appreciate you taking the time to share your feelings and knowledge. I love this forum! Barb & TraumaRN - would it be OK if I pm'd each of you with some specific questions?

Hi Barb. I am in my 4th semester of an ADN program, and my goal is ultimately to be a FNP. I have read several threads on allnurses.com regarding Frontier School. It seems like a wonderful place, and a great online learning environment. There are many programs throughout the country (both online or face-to-face). I'm just wondering if you will share why you decided on Frontier. You see, I have heard from many people that you should go for the school with the biggest/most easily recognized name. Not to take anything away from Frontier, but many people I've asked about it have never heard of it. From what I've read here, and the passion I've heard people on allnurses speak about Frontier I would love to go there. I just worry about being marketable when all is said and done, and wonder if the degree from Frontier would be as well respected (to a future employer that is) as one from, say, University of Illinois or University of Wisconsin. Is there some information someone could point me to that details what the nursing world thinks of Frontier's credentials?

You have to apply to the program once you have your NLN score complete and all your pre-reqs met. I took the NLN in the summer of 2007, applied to the nursing program by the early September 2007 deadline, and then heard from them in early November 2007. I began the program in January of 2008. Good luck to you!!!!

Hi ya Kelly! Good to hear from you again. Well, the first thing I realized when we entered 3rd semester clinicals was that it felt more "nurse-like". We were allowed to do more for the patients, and it was cool. You'll have clinicals 2 days per week, so often times you have the same patient 2 days in a row. It's cool because you actually get to see if some of the interventions you implemented actually work! Plus, you'll get to see changes in their condition including lab values, which really start to put the pieces of the puzzle together. You'll learn all about IV medications, and will actually get to hang IV bags, change tubing, administer meds through IV line, etc. If you don't already have an IV drug book, I'd highly recommend getting one. I have the Davis drug guide on my Palm, so I got an electronic version of the IV drug guide as well for the Palm. Very helpful! You will NEVER be able to complete all the reading, so again focus on what the EBOs are asking for. If you have any specific questions, or need anything else - just drop me a PM or an email. Good luck! Before you know it your 4th semester will be here, and then you'll be an RN!

Hey girl! How are you? A new puppy?!?!? You must be in heaven! What's her name? I'm sure things will go well for you this semester! Hang in there!!!!

You've got part of it right. I did take that A&P class, and I did sit next to Britnee in lecture (between Britnee and Patrick), but Diedra is the one that has the daughter wanting to get into nursing school (she was in class with us too with her daughter). Send me a PM and give me more info on who you are!

I'll be entering my 4th semester of the College of Lake County (CLC) nursing program this fall. Prior to entering the nursing program I went through their phlebotomy certification program (12 weeks). For the clinical portion, at least the hospitals CLC used, they were NOT very flexible with hours. You were expected to work daytime hours for the 3 weeks of clinical. I have worked part-time all through nursing school. It's not easy, but it can be done. It really depends on how much support you have at home, what the kid situation is, etc. I have one daughter who is away at college, so my situation might be easier than yours. I do have a good friend who works full-time in an office, has a 3.5 year old daughter, and still somehow goes to nursing school at night. I am convinced she is Superwoman in disguise! But it CAN be done!!! Good luck!

The College of Lake County (up in the far northern suburb of Grayslake) is a 2 year ADN program that offers both Spring and Fall starts. Check it out at http://www.clcillinois.edu

So, how did the exam go?

I thought I remember something about the fact that you can test out of the first 2 semesters if you're a licensed LPN. This may be old information though, because they are changing the curriculum starting Fall '09. Give the nursing department at the college a call, and they can help you I'm sure.

Good luck with the exam tomorrow. I'm sure you'll sail right through it! I'm not sure about the fingerprinting... I don't think we had that - just a criminal background check. Let me know if you have any questions once you review the link. (If you just type CLC into the search box up in the upper right you might find some other threads. I know the "We got into the CLC nursing program" once wasn't the first one I particpated in.)

First of all, CONGRATULATIONS!!!! It is HUGE to get accepted into the program, so give yourself a great big pat on the back for that. As you've probably heard, the college has changed the curriculum starting in Fall of '09, so you're in for a whole new experience. And it sounds like you've got a great support network, so I'm sure you'll be fine. There is a thread on this site (in this Illinois nurses section) called "We got into the CLC nursing program, now what?" that one of my friends started way back in the fall of '07 when she got her acceptance letter. Here's a link: https://allnurses.com/illinois-nurses/we-got-into-258427.html It's really long by now - I think 40+ pages, but it has TONS of great information in it that will help you prepare for the program. Someday when you have some time, grab a cup of coffee or glass of wine and read through it. I got to observe in surgery my first semester, and saw a 9 week old baby have a hernia repair and then went right into another surgery where a 40-ish man had a hernia repair. It was interesting for sure! 2nd semester we had OB, so I observed 2 caesarian births (one with tubal ligation) and that was amazing also. This semester I was in surgery for 2 days and saw some of the most incredible things! I saw a CABG (coronary artery bypass graft - open heart surgery), 2 cholecystectomies (gall bladder removal), a hernia repair, an I&D (irrigation and drainage) of a MRSA infected wound, and last but not least an AKA (above the knee amputation). That last one was really gross (lady was diabetic and entire foot was necrotic - pitch black and looked like burnt wood), but it was fascinating!!! Did you register for your classes for fall already? Who is your instructor?

Well, I don't know if I'd call it excrutiating, but it is a tough course. NOT for the faint-hearted for sure! I asked that same question about age when I was considering the program, because this is a second career for me. I'm 42 now, and when I entered the program in Spring of '08 I was told that the average age for the folks entering the Spring '08 semester was 41. So I fit right in! There will definitely be students younger than you, but there will be lots of students older than you too. Lots of ladies (and guys) start families and wait until their kids are in school, etc. before starting a rigorous program like this. One of my friends, Lori, works full time and has a 3 year old daughter. She is in the night class, and I cannot even imagine how tough it is on her. I'm in one of the day sections, and only have one child who is away at college, so it's much easier for me I think. I work part-time as a Student Nurse Intern at a local hospital, but only 1-2 shifts per week, so it's not too bad. Did you take the NLN exam already? Have you gone to the info session for the nursing program? Have you been accepted already? Questions, questions!!! Seriously, if you have any other questions, fire away!!! We're here to help!

Yep! There are a bunch of us that peruse this site. I'm Colleen, and I'm in my 3rd semester at CLC. Anything I can help with?

I'm 5'10.5", and I usually do fine with the scrubs from JC Penney outlet in Gurnee Mills (I live on the WI/IL border) - they are just long enough. Have you tried ordering "tall" scrubs? Remember, some of the boxier scrub pants don't fit exactly like your jeans would. I know that the crotch of the scrub pants never quite hits me the same as regular pants would (rides lower). So that 32 or 33 inseam MAY be ok if you try it on. Also, at the JC Penney outlet I have seen fluctuations in length of pants of the same size and style. I guess that's why they're at the outlet store! So it always makes sense to try them on. I got a pair of Cherokee scrub pants, in TALL, at a uniform store that is in Gurnee Mills (near the Burlington Coat Factory). They are REALLY long! Good luck!!!

I agree with Diedra. The NLN Study Guide was a big help to me. And don't just go right to the part about the questions. Actually read the introduction and "how to take the test" part because there is valuable info there. Where are your strenths/weaknesses? It had been quite a while since I did a lot of the algebra type stuff, so I went online and found a great site that took me through basic algebra. Some people I know have struggled with the vocab part, and they've found ways to break down the words into stuff they know. Good luck and keep us posted how you do!

I agree with you in a sense... although in my case they were the "cute" kind of scrubs with patterns that I wore to work at an endocrinologist office. Still, there are all kinds of "bugs" that you can transport around, and one can't be too careful. We also have a very strict dress code for clinicals. I think it's important - makes you appear more professional. (Even if you're shaking in your boots!)

I wore scrubs my first day of nursing school (was going to work straight from school so I thought it would be ok). My instructor was very nice about it, but basically used me as an example when telling everone what NOT to wear to school. Ugh! She said it had to do with the fact that the school views the health care environment as a place where germs can be spread about, and I shouldn't be wearing scrubs to or from school that might be worn at work so as to avoid spreading germs.

Third semester is a blast, but VERY different. On the one hand, I feel much more "nurse-like" in general. On the other hand there's lots and LOTS of stuff to know. But it is all starting to come together, which is very cool. In 3rd semester it's more about WHY things are the way they are, and what other factors can influence what's going on with your patient. I keep telling people it's like we are taking everything we've learned so far, and then figuring out how to connect the dots. Fun! If you want any help with PE practice, let me know. Last semester (for our 2nd PE) a group of about 7 of us got together at my house to go over what to expect with a friend of mine that is a level ahead of me. It was really helpful. Of course no one could tell you the exact scenarios or whatever, but it helps to prepare. I'd be happy to meet with you (and a few of your friends if you'd like). Just let me know. Last semester Janet and the other 1st semester instructors had my friend Heather and I do a PE Demo for their classes, which I think helped a lot of them feel more comfortable. I think it's good to see how it all works, you know? They haven't asked us yet to do it again, but maybe they have someone else in mind to do it this time. Anyhow, keep in touch and hang in there! You're now halfway through your first semester!!! Only 3.5 more to go!

Just trying to check in with Dawn & Lisa. How are you handling the semester? Make sure to let us know if there's anything we can help with!

Sure Lisa, I'd be happy to send it to you. Just send me a PM (private message) with your email address, and I'll send it to you right away.

I typed everything! I am a MUCH faster typist than handwriter. I do know of some people who, due to problems with computers or whatever, had to turn in handwritten stuff. I think that you can do either. P.S. The reason Janet wants things typed is probably because she's afraid she'll get homework from someone whose handwriting is as bad as her own! LOL - her handwriting is as tough to read as some doctor's I've seen!!!