LiL_121

:w00t: We Did It!!! :w00t: Today was my last my of this first semester! I am so happy I passed, I was definitely on the chopping block! Studying hard payed off GOOD JOB EVERYONE!!! ENJOY THE BREAK :cheers:

For 3/4 of this school year I used this cute puma backpack, but it tore. I guess the it couldn't keep up with my book load :) did I mention I'm a prenursing student? since ill start nursing school in the fall, I bought a camping backpack my friend suggested to test out It's great! Since it was made for camping there is tons of room and pockets everywhere! Shoulder straps are very comfortable and there are extra cushions on the back so you dont feel the hardness of textbooks you are carrying (i hope this makes sence). You can check it out right here http://www.campingsurvival.com/ouprmodaypa.html The price listed is $35, I got mine in Marshalls for $20, but I drove to a couple stores since I heard that those backpacks sell fast. hope this helps!

Hi everyone! I just received acceptance for fall 2011, and just like many others i'm excited / nervous to begin the program. Should we make an official oakton student thread [unless one already exists and i just cant find it] so that we can share tips tricks and get advice from people like drgngnr2002 who are already in the program. (without any NLN questions lol)

Congratulation to all that got in :) I have few questions about early admission / waiting list:: early admission: online it says that you have to complete 3 of 5 science courses, does this mean that you do not have to complete the rest of 57 pre-requisite courses in order to get into the school? can you take the pre-requisites once you received early admission? waiting list: once you are on the waiting list what happens? how long do you stay on it? do you get in once someone else drops out or are you considered for the next year?

gonewestaz, Other options you have is making friends with nurses/techs in the hospital* or volunteering**. *in some hospitals nurses/techs have an option on the sign in screen called "refer a friend", or they can simply walk down to HR and recommend you, thats one option for you and it worked for a friend of mine. ** you can volunteer 4hr a week --> many applications ask you if you volunteered with the hospital before, volunteering looks great on your resume, and you have a chance to interact with hospital stuff!!! (not to mention it is really fun and helps you want to be in the healthcare field that much more) I hope this helps, -Lela

Thank you so much, I'm new to this site and I did not know there was an entire site for military nursing. again thanks so much :)

Irinasal, Just wanted to get an update from you and see if you got into UIC from the waiting list or ended up going to Truman. I would really appreciate your reply :)

I am looking for a job as a PCT for 2-3 months now. I can honestly say that I applied to 40+ jobs (with Advocate hospitals, Northshore University Healthcare System, Swedish Covenant......) And out of those countless applications I got 3 interviews (both with Northshore). I feel the same way you do! When I was taking CNA class all I could hear was that there is a shortage and getting a job would be very easy, they lied!!!!

I attended Loyola University Chicago nursing program for 1 semester (they dont give a lot of financial help to their international students) and one day we had a presentation about military nursing. At the time I didn't have my green card and could not join. Now that I do have a green card and want to go back to school and pursue a nursing degree, military nursing is on my mind. Can someone with experience in military nursing help me by answering these questions: 1. Which came first the chicken or the egg --> do you join the military first* or do you need to be accepted into nursing school? * if joining military comes first, do you receive priority being accepted into nursing school? 2. In LUC military recruiter mentioned that the tuition is payed by the government and you also receive "spending money" monthly. Too good to be true? 3. What happens after nursing school? How many years do you serve? Do you ship out to war zones? 4. Is PTSD common for military nursing? (scared about war zones :[ ) 5. Army/Navy/Air force/Marines ......? any advice? 6. Training/boot camp for military nurses? 7. Lastly, you can join the military without citizenship?

I was recently interview for a PCT position in two different units: Cardiac Telemetry and ICU :). I never worked as a PCT before and I cannot make a decision about which unit I would get the best experience. If you work(ed) on either of these units (as a nurse or PCT) please share your daily experiences to help me make the right decision :) I am 20 and applying for nursing school.