luvs637

And if it is ONLY 79% on 4L then your first priority action is to turn up her O2!! :)

I saw that it says 79%, but after that it says she was placed on 4L. It should be higher than 79% on 4L or she is in real trouble...

Well the question asks for your primary area of concern...So my primary area of concern would be her breathing. I know it says they put her on 4L, but it doesn't say what her pulse ox is after that, so that needs to be reassessed. After that I would think to give more Lasix which will get rid of some of the fluid and drop her bp a bit.

Currently work at a different Advocate site and I also LOVE it. I love the people I work with and I love my tuition reimbursement. I would not leave!

...What is a level 2 CNA? Never heard of that before, so I guess I am a level 1 and I have a hospital job.

I would say your chances of getting in are pretty high due to your masters GPA and extra-curriculars. When did you take A&P though? Alot of schools would like to see it taken recently and with a good grade...maybe retake A&P to give yourself a little boost. What was your GPA on all the pre-reqs?

Personally I never did NCLEX questions. I would just study the powerpoints. I worked for a few years as a CNA in a hospital, so a lot of the stuff in 104 came easily to me. I have heard that 104 is a weed-out class, but I actually thought 108 was much harder.

The teachers write their own tests, but like I said, nothing in 103 is difficult. They are trying to get you used to being in the program, not challenge you. Everything is common sense for the most part.

All the clinical sites are done by lottery.

The info in 103 is pretty much common sense. I don't think anyone ever fails 103. 104 is the class to worry about more. Do you have to do the community project for 103? When I took the class each group received 100% on the project so those were basically free points, though I will admit that all the presentations were hilarious and took a lot of work.

I would focus on the powerpoints and skim the reading.

Lab meets once per week. Clinical meets twice per week. Lecture meets twice per week....can you account for all those sessions? I'm sure they will clarify for you at orientation.

I am in the exact same position as you--previous Bachelor's, doing ADN, 1/4th done, guaranteed a job....EXCEPT now my floor manager is leaving. So makes me wonder where my "job" is going to be. The hospital system can send me anywhere, but I was really hoping to stay on my floor I am thinking the new manager may choose a BSN with no experience over me....

Actually, that is a pretty typical salary where I am from. I made about that much last year.

Yea, I mean all of that stuff certainly helps! It can't hurt!! My bf graduated from UIC and he really liked it there. The dean was referring to the graduate entry program. The national ranking for UIC's nursing school just went up to #6 so wow I am sure it will be hard for everyone!!! :) Keep us posted!

Honestly I would say that UIC is not an option. I heard an interview with their dean on the radio last year and he said that they had over 16,000 applications for that programa and 4000 of the applicants were "perfect" --his words. It can't hurt to try, but I think it might be a long shot. Do you speak another language? It says on their website that they pretty much expect the masters entry candidates to be fluent in 2 languages. I don't know much about the program at Loyola. I didn't want to go there because they require theology classes as part of the degree. Which is fine, but I wasn't willing to pay the astronomical cost to take those classes. If I were you I would go through a program at the community college level and then go straight to a masters program at UIC once you are licensed. If you already have a BA, UIC does not require a BSN to pursue an MSN, they only require a current RN license. Also, hopefully when you are licensed you will find a job that will help pay for the expenses at UIC or a similar school.

My advisor is Angela. I heard from her today. She encouraged me to gather my transcripts and make an appointment to come in and talk. Congrats to those who were accepted today!!!

Thanks for the help :) I am waiting for a reply from an advisor, but communication has been slow...I'll keep you guys posted on what happens!!

Is this BSN or ADN?

I really want to apply here, but I know my gpa is borderline....has anyone ever heard of anyone NOT getting in??? I see so many acceptance posts on this thread, but I've never come across a rejection post...Anybody with any info on this??

Hey fellow Oakton people, There is a scrubs store across the street from Lutheran General called Life Uniform. There is another store, Working Gear, on the corner of Harlem and Dempster. Enjoy CNA class at Oakton! They do their best to make it a wonderful experience :) I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!!!!!!!!

No, I have never seen a school that offers weekend classes only. Maybe that would be an option if you just wanted to go for your LPN. I am only taking classes for Nursing right now, I also have a previous Bachelor's degree from 2009. The classes meet every single day of the week, mine happen to be right in the middle of the day because there is only one class section. Two days of lecture, two days of clinical, and 1 day of lab mean you really cannot work full time. Sorry

I would get the CNA certificate because many of the nursing programs in the Chicagoland are require it, especially the community colleges. If you work as a CNA in a hospital, you will see much more than working as a phlebotomist. At my hospital, the CNAs do all the blood draws anyway... :)

Are you guys excited about your clinical placements?

Well some people don't pass vital signs and they do have to remediate, but it is no big deal. You just come in for an extra hour and go over the skills again that you failed, and then at the end you re-do them and pass! It could be much worse :) She seemed very strict at our orientation too, but as long as you follow the rules and guidelines set out she will not try to make your life difficult.