BeezRN

I've spoken to an admission counselor and she said the first year is all online. The second year requires about 15 hours of clinicals a week which is not much. So I intend on keeping my fulltime job through the program. I have a full time job now and I'm in an accelerated BSN program so I'm sure it will be fine.

I don't doubt that Chamberlain is not a respected school. I have a few friends enrolled in the BSN program. I guess it's just a personal preference to not choose for profit schools. I looked at Resurrection university too since its non profit but their program is almost 3 years, too long for my preference. I am strongly leaning toward Olivet as well but not until their August or October 2016 terms. ERLaw14 let me know how the program goes once you start! It would be great to hear an updated review of their FNP program. :)

Have you gotten any feedback in during your research? I'm not considering Chamberlain, I don't trust for profit schools. I'm really considering Olivet because their fnp program is just 24 months. All the other schools are much longer, and even though I do have the grades to apply I would hate to spend more than two years in school just for a masters.

How did the program turn out? I'm interested in going there for my FNP as well and I am strongly considering it since its just 24 months long.

$705?! I rented mine for $90 but then again I am doing the evening/weekend. It was 3 books for term A and I'll just have to rent 1 more book for term B (reusing Health Assessment books for both terms.

I get paid 9.20 with no differentials at a nursing home in Chicago

Hi everyone, I'm not really sure where this post belongs but since I'm a CNA (certified in July) I decided to post it here. I'm feeling extremely disappointed and defeated to say the least. I've had to change my plans several times because of setting goals way too high for my capabilities I'm sad to say. I went from wanting to get into UIC or Rush's accelerated BSN program to now doubting even my community colleges would accept my low grades To make the story short: After high school I went to a University (doesnt have a nursing program) because for some reason my parents (being immigrants and not knowing better maybe) looked down at community colleges. I've always been interested in nursing but wasn't sure how to make it happen but my 2nd yr in university I decided that my goal was to become a nurse. I decided to do my science pre-reqs (endless list since i was looking at UIC and Rush at the time) at my school and obtain a bachelors degree in biology. THe plan was that I'd have a 4.0 GPA and get accepted at the schools I wanted to (I'm such a dreamer). This past summer I took my CNA course to get an idea of what it would truly be like to be a nurse and that was about the only thing that went as planned this year. I was an A/B student some semesters and others I would completely blow it, like this semester. In my gen eds I have 2 C's, but what lowered my GPA the most was my math. It took me 3 times to finally pass it! meanwhile I got an F first, then a D, then a B! Why didn't I drop it you may ask, well because I was too shy at the time and thought my parents would kill me if I dropped ANY class. In General Biology I i got my first C and then it was followed by General chemistry II with a C as well. I thought ok well I got C's but I'll get straight A's from now on! But guess what! I didn't! This semester I BLEW IT! I failed both of my science courses with an F. They were cell biology and organic chemistry I. I didn't drop them because I thought I would magically improve my grade but of course it didn't happen. Now I'm stuck with a 2.8 GPA. I knew I would end up failing those classes but figured I'd just retake them and that it would be ok. But reality is setting it (it does every once in a while) and I've realized that this is my 3rd year and i have a crappy GPA and not that many opportunities to raise it. I wish I would've just went to my community college where they offer those medical terminology and anatomy I & II classes that my school doesn't offer. I feel stuck! I've been feeling this for a while but kept adjusting my plans but now I feel like I've completely fudged myself for life. I'm evening thinking of dropping out of my school and going to my community college to take those anatomy courses and other pre-reqs I need for any nursing course. I'm seriously looking at to take the next step after CNA which is LPN. I feel that is my best bet at the moment but then again I feel they'll take one look at my crappy grades and say NO! I feel like I've fallen so low. I have no one to blame for myself but I don't know what is my best option for now. I feel like I am drowning at my school because I have so many more science courses I have to take for a biology degree that will get me no where and whats the point of graduating if i can't get in anywhere with my horrible grades. I've registered for this spring semester at my school but now I'm feeling like its pointless. My best bet I think is to take the anatomy classes at a community school but I think they might be filled up by now since the new semester starts in less than a month. I was hoping to get into the june admissions for lpn at wilbur wright college here in Chicago but that is probably me just dreaming the impossible. If any one happens to read this from Chicago I'm interested in wright college and would like to know how long their waiting list is. Yes I've read other posts asking the same but they're mostly from 09'. Sorry I know its long but I just feel I had to vent some way thanks if you read it all or just skim through it. I want to know I wasnt the only one in this predicament and any:idea: ideas would be appreciated. Sorry for many typos too thanks you all :redpinkhe

thanks guys..bed pan is a great idea. Most of my residents are in isolation so they can just take bed baths. I guess i wasn't doing such an improper bed bath and thanks for giving me better ideas :)

How to give a proper bed bath is one of my main conerns... I know how the book describes it but most of the time (since I'm new working about 3 weeks) I'm pretty slow and I can't take forever with one resident. I end up taking forever regardless and miss my breaks but at least I want to get it done. I don't know if i do it properly: i use two washclothes. One for soaping up and the other for rinsing off the soap and stuff using clean water. of course i start with the cleaner areas first then move on to the private parts last. Can some one give me a step by step process for this. because I'm pretty sure I'm doing it improperly and would hate to hear a complaint about it. I try to get them clean at least tho so they're "areas" don't smell. What about the hair what would be a quick way to wash with out taking too long.

I agree with jen, you do get slightly numb after a little time. I was like you and got attached to 2 residents during my orientation and would come home and cry because some cnas were a little mean and rough wit them. I've been told the same thing by residents, that I'm the nicest and if ill work tomorrow or that they love me. I think, especially after you get a job, you might get attached to some residents but after reality sets in about the job and how busy you'll be you will notice you won't have to much time to think about your emotions. Not only that but you will feel better that your taking care of them at least for that one shift and not those mean cnas. Plus the residents like happy faces not sad because they can confuse it with anger and will become hostile.

Thanks guys, made me feel better :) work has been better since I've kind of gotten to know my residents. I did work a different floor and even though I didn't feel as lost I did feel nervous since I knew none of the faces corresponding to the names on the door. I was afraid to lose one lol. Thankfully I believe it went well. Thanks again guys :)

Yes I'm definitely thankful for having helpful nurses and fellow CNAs. I didn't think I would after reading posts on here so I was surprised how helpful everyone is. I'm not getting paid for any extra time I spend there, that was made clear my first day which I'm fine with since I only stuck around a half hour or so. Nurses did tell me to leave it for the next shift but I tried to finish everything. I met the person who took my section for the next shift and he was also nice and told me he would let me know how he thought I did for my first official day (I'm assuming by looking around the rooms and by in what condition I left the residents). Tomorrow will be my second day alone so hopefully I finish on time at least. I'm also a little concerned since it seems that on fridays I will be moved around to a different floor. I'm worried it will be like the first day all over again! Its not so bad that I want to quit but I guess would just love to be like those more experienced CNAs. For that I know it will take some time. I need to stick it out and be patient because I do want to be a nurse and thought this would be a good place to start. Now when it comes down to actually getting accepted into a nursing school with my horrible grades....well that's another thread I guess :) Thank your for your words of encouragment :) feels good that I'm not the only one to feel this way and to know that I will most likely improve my speed and care (without hurting my back.) Guess I was doing something wrong because its a little sore. Again thank you :)

I had a list that had almost everything I needed to do, which is why I felt I was prepared. But at the end I was just rushing and everyone was telling me to go home that I forgot the last foley I had to empty. I was not happy with what I saw during my orientation when it came down to how they treated their residents that I couldn't wait to be alone. And all of the nurses and cnas constantly check on me or are helping me that it is like if I was still in orientation. I figure I just have to keep practicing until I get quicker at it. But I'm scared I won't ever and they'll fire me or something.

Hi everyone, I was hired at a nursing home full time which it took me forever to find this job. I had been looking for over 5 months and though I would've preferred a part time job since I'm in school I took the opportunity. Its better than having no job. I had 3 days orientation and felt confident I could handle it on my own. I always heard nursing homes were crazy busy but during orientation we had time to relax and watch tv with the residents or just waste time sitting down. I was surprised and thought "well this is a lot easier than what I imagined". Yesterday was my first day working alone having a section to myself. I was busy the entire time! I did not do a wonderful job as I thought I would and feel like a failure. I would take a very long time over 10 or 15 minutes just to change one person. For some reason during orientation I would go a little faster but now I don't. It took me forever to change everyone about 2 hrs for the 14 or so residents I had. I think 3 of them were able bodied so I didn't have to worry about them so much. I also forgot a resident in the dinning room, I just wanted to die! Thankfully I had other cnas helping me out, with out them i'd probably still be there until 1 or something. I feel so bad asking for help and having others do my job since I know they have their own residents to take care of. I feel bad that I'm so slow when it comes to changing and stuff. I didn't even do a shower since there was some confusion. I probably would've never finished if I had to do them. I do feel terrible and have no confidence in my skills anymore. I got out at 11:30pm while the next shift was asking y I was still there. Even the nurses who worked with me were telling me to go home and leave the garbage for the next shift. I didn't think that was fair though so ii tried finishing my job. When I got home I remembered I forgot to empty a foley so now I feel even worst. The nurses would check on me periodically and ask if I was ok and would tell me they worry about me. I was glad that they check up on me but it made me feel like the worst can in the world! I don't want anyone to worry about me The only thing I was happy about is that through all of the stress and rushing I was able to keep my cool in front of my residents and was kind and tried to talk to them while I was changing them or whatever. At least I feel I did my job of taking care of them even though I took forever doing it. I'm just so embarassed because usually I'm good at everything and fast. This has just completely lowered my confidence I guess this was more of a vent but I would like to get any advice or your experiences when you were a new cna . I hope I get quicker at it so I'm not so embarrased.

So i called the places i had applied to and they all just kind of blew me off. Either they never called me back or just explained that they havnt reviewed the applications and that if theyre interested then theyll call back. Im feeling hopeless because at the last place i applied to everyone was nice and it is a pretty nice facility. I havnt even gotten an interview

If i would be so lucky to get hired on the spot lol. This might be a silly question but what does ADON OR DON stand for? I always see people write about it but im not sure what it is. And do you say the individual letters or is it a said like a word...i know im so silly for not knowing. thanks guys ill definitely call.

Hello, I've had my CNA certificate for about 2 months but have not found a job. I applied a few weeks ago to a couple of places but havn't recieved any call backs. I'm wondering if maybe I should give them a call instead. But I know some places ask that you not call to ask about your application so I don't know if it's appropriate. If I should call, what should I ask for? or who do I ask for? your answers will be appreciated. I've been delaying getting a job out of fear but now I'm worrying I'll never find one. Everyone always said I would get hired quickly at LTC facilities but then why havnt I gotten a call?

Thanks guys. Honestly I have not even made an attempt to make a resume, I was feeling hopeless but I'm feeling better now after reading your response. I think what has been holding me back the most is fear. I'm terrified not of the work necessarily but that I won't be good at it I barely remember anything I learned in class and I'm worried I'll do something wrong to get myself in trouble ex:drop a resident . Or I'm worried that when I do start looking I it won't be as easy to get a job, since I've only wanted to apply at places that have at least a 3 out of 5 stars on the Medicaid website. I applied online for one LTC and have been to terrified to apply in person at the others. I'm worried that I won't get hired But thanks much for your words of encouragement, gave me courage. I've wasted enough time being scared, so I have to get the ball rolling lol..

I figured they needed one since on their websites they give an email to send in resumes.. When applying is it better in person? Would i just go in to their receptionist and say I want to apply? Im extremely nervous about this, idk why. and if they were to ask for a resume, I would would hate to say dont have one, what would be a good response? Thanks XOXO

I just passed my state exam about 2 weeks ago but I have yet to apply for any jobs since I'm not only terrified that i won't do a good job but also because I have no resume. I'm worried since i have no relevant job experience no one will hire me I've only had regular jobs as a cashier at my local grocery store and as a sandwich maker at a fast food place. I did absolutely no volunteer work or am i in any clubs nor do i have any awards of any sort. All I have to say is that I am a Junior in college and majoring in Biology but plan on attending nursing school after I graduate. I have no idea what to include in my "objective statement" of my resume either since I dont have really any special skills. I really need all the advice I can get and what you guys (those who were in the same position) wrote on your resumes.

Wow those schedules all sound great. I would definitely want to work on the weekends so I hope that helps. I hope that wherever I get hired they'll be as flexible.

Hello , I am planning to enroll in a 5-week CNA program this summer. I am hoping that after the exam i can get hired quickly (doesn't matter if its in a nursing home). But i'm concerned that i will have trouble finding a job that doesn't interfere with my school schedule. I'm going part time during the summer twice a week in the evening, but once fall semester starts i will go full time. I want to only work part-time since school is my main priority. I have heard some jobs are more flexible if you're enrolled in a nursing school but i am not there yet. I basically just want to know if I'm limiting myself since i only want to work part time. are there many jobs looking for part time? and what would a usual part time shift be like and how many days a week?:)

I will wait for this semester to end and then ill enroll in the cna program. but i have also enrolled in summer courses but i have made sure that they don't overlap. i will enroll in a 5 week program, i just hope i can get a job fairly quickly. I don't mind working in a nursing home even though i hear they dont pay well i dont mind. I just want to experience this field so i can make up my mind.

Hi Everyone, I am currently going to a university that has no kind of nursing program but I am interested in nursing. I feel trapped so decided i would do all my pre-reqs for nursing school while getting a bachelor's in biology since some of the courses overlap anyways. The plan was to then apply to an accelerated BSN program but they are not available at many schools. I'm really just depending on one school UIC. I regret my decision of coming to a 4-yr school when i could've just gone to a community college and did the nursing there. Too bad I didnt know what to do with my life then. So now I have decided to be a CNA while still in my school. I figure I will actually get hands on experience and see if that IS in fact what i want to do . I figure it would also put me ahead of other applicants in the accelerated program I'm interested. I guess my question is if it is easy to find a job as a CNA anywhere, like in chicago or the suburbs. And if doing that while still in a non-nursing school is a good idea. Also has anyone felt trapped like i do at a regular university and what did u do about it? I really wish there was a way I could just take my gen ed. and some science credits i have to apply it to a nursing degree instead.

Well currently since i just decided i wanted to become a nurse i have none of my science pre-reqs. I wont be done with them by fall of 2010 which was the deadline to start the nursing in fall of 2011. I only needed to have 3 of the 5 science courses but i won't even have that done. I did consider taking some summer courses but i still wont meet the deadline. I am also working and planning to go full time. I think i will just graduate with a degree in Biology and see if i could use the same credits toward a bachelors in Nursing. I don't know if thats even possible but i'm hoping it is.