SweetHomeChicago

How did you start?!

Thanks for the update! Fingers crossed for you!

Just curious if you had any update?

Just curious if you heard anything about your second evaluation???

I've been following the travel forum for quite a bit the last couple months and I completely agree with Ned & Argo. Wolf's glass is always half empty, if not already empty. While yes they talk about their pay specialities being higher I don't think they brag- they're informing those who are asking about their experience just as wolf does negatively. I think Ned's previous posts are the most helpful. Open minded, tells it like it is, and is up front about most everything you ask. Not every company is for every person.. that could also be applied to this job. It's not for everyone. You, and you alone, have to decide what's the most important. Especially when first starting out. I figured breaking even or more than my current salary is a win on the first assignment. Allow yourself to get into the groove before you start chasing what dollar signs may be out there. Comfort, stress in transition, and location are foremost to me when picking my assignment. Money will always come. But again, I'm not a crazed money hungry, demanding, or high expectations kinda person. Best of luck to you! Remember, at the end of the day, week, month, assignment... it all comes down to you!

Hi!! I was wondering how your feelings have been since you've posted?! I'm in W. Michigan (GR to be exact) as well and am planning on traveling within the next month or so. :)

Just checking to see what luck you may have had

Hi Ned! That's really one of the things that threw me for a loop. I was kinda taken back by it. I sent my recruiter an e-mail, just awaiting a response.

Hello all! So I finally did it, I've been working with a recruiter for a couple weeks now and altho I've been hopeful to land a position in Abilene, Tx she talked me into "putting more eggs in the basket". So she recommended Washington DC. Well a Medstar hospital, offered me a position- I'm a PACU nurse with pre/post op experience. $42/hr 36 hrs, rotating D/N 2250 taxed housing stipend and it's a PACU holding, pre/post op position. I haven't talked to anyone from the hospital but did get a call from them today- but have been in flight back home from vacation. any thoughts? Suggestions? It would be my first travel position and any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!!!

Thank you so much for the quick reply, congratulations, and insight. It's greatly appreciated. Thanks for the heads up. I went and visited Spectrum when I was there in September. Needless to say, I was treated quite rudely by anyone except the volunteer staff. At that point it turned me off and I haven't been looking as seriously into it. Still in the MI area?

Hi all and Happy Holidays! Just got my FIRST call back about a RN job in Grand Rapids. I will be going up (since I live near Chicago) after the first of the year for an interview with HR and then she said with the unit manager. - Any tips as a new graduate nurse interview? It's a PACU position (I've worked 4.5 years in a hospital in an ICU & tele tech position) - I've looked in past posts about starting range for new grad nurses pay in the Grand Rapids area and a few years ago it was about $22, I would think it's relatively the same amount a tad more just wondering if anyone had any recent experience with the pay amount. I'm just trying to figure out rent/traveling/living expenses. I'm just really excited, want to ace this interview, and make the best impression I can! Thank you all for your help and hopefully I'll be calling myself a Michigander soon!!!

Sorry, for the misreading but none the less that is a LARGE amount of people. You could have simply stated the specifics in knowing the difference between the two courses. You do not have CNA clinical time in addition to your RN clinical time. You can't sit for the CNA test, but they do test you in the program. Obviously, the school does not tell you much about the program and that explains why no one knows about the 80% rule. I'll break it down, so you understand- your semester is 1000 points, say 750 of those points are tests/quizzes, and the other 250 is papers. With that 750 points, you have to have an 80% in order to pass the semester, in addition- pass with an 80%. So you can fail by having a 79% testing average, but still get an 81% as an overall grade. Get it? You pass on the account that you pass the entire course with >80%, and test/quizzes >80%. Considering I wrote the message at 318am, while working fulltime, going to school, and having a family. I didn't know this site needed to have pristine grammar. Your assumption of me being a poor student (afterall, I'm in the program) therefore would be wrong. Unfortunately, I have not the slightest idea if other students come on here and share their experience nor do I have control of making them do so. If you'd like to hear their opinions, I can bet if you walk down the hall and ask if they like the program, are enjoying it, and getting all they can out of it- people will talk and express their opinions. Your friend obviously, completing it 2 years ago, has been out of the JJC network for awhile. And things were much better then, I have friends that graduated then. In 4th semester, they ask students to come down and talk to the 1st semester students- they had no one volunteer to do it. Why? Because people are unhappy with the program. I, again, did not do thise to upset, anxiety induce, steal your joy, or ruin your idea of what lies ahead just wanted to let you know the cold facts and allow people to really take into perspective if this is their primary choice.

Hi y'all. I'm a 3rd semester student and let me tell you all.. turn back and run now! Run to the nearest university or other college, anywhere except JJC. This school is skewed in so many ways, and makes us students slaves to their beckon call. They are not there for support, as friendly and warm welcoming as they may seem to you all now- be warned they are not helpful in way and will not help you in your success as a nurse. I do not find it odd that supposably only 100 people applied. After this past year and how students have been screwed and failed- no one wants to promote or even vouche for the school. Having a medical history, background, job helps TONS and is more than likely where you'll learn a lot from. As far as having your CNA v. 140- it is an advantage because you'll basically be taking a 6 week CNA class while taking your nursing 150 class. It's up to you if you rather increase or decrease your workload, and since they have the new 80% rule- I'd opt for as little workload as possible. Keep in mind, I am not a bitter student or one that has always had this view but once you're in the program I hope you all understand. Be prepared to be in meds, more than most of our class is on anxiety and attention controling meds. I feel terrible for the the wrong and betrayed image this school imposes on people. It is not all rainbows and butterflies like they say.. so hopefully you'll take this with a grain of salt and really beware the ides of JJC! If you have questions or concerns I'm more than welcome to help!! good luck to you all!!

We've only had one instructor so far.. and she's been fine. But to each their own. Not sure what kind of help you were looking for????

The lottery was too difficult and problematic, that's why they do it all themselves now. You do not have to purchase your scrubs the day of orientation (maroon or white) but you do have to purchase the lab coat because it's JJC logo. Scrubs are expensive the day of orientation, you can get them elsewhere as long as they're the right colors.