Emerald2

Hi everyone! First, I usually spend about 5-6 hours a week reading, studying and doing assignments outside of class. When we have a test, I would say I add another 2-3 hours to that. Second, the nursing schedule does follow the college schedule in regard to holiday closures and things like that. That being said, you do need to be flexible. There are many times that a simulation, orientation or special seminar will be offered in addition to your normal schedule and if you are an evening student like I am, sometimes it's during the day. So, I would just always be prepared to make changes, it will happen and that's just how it is! Next, if you are in days and you want evenings or vice versa, you have to find someone who's willing to switch with you (which is hard because you don't really know anyone yet) and have it approved by the nursing department. I don't have any advice on how to contact anyone to switch, other than spread the word among the people you do meet and try to send an email through angel to the all Nursing 150 students. Ok, I hope I answered everything, let me know if you have any other questions. Just FYI, the evening and day schedule both meet for theory twice a week for 2 hours, clinical topics once a week for 2 hours (usually on the same day as one of your theory classes) and the third day you have clinical (my day was Tuesday for 1st and 2nd semester in evenings, but that's not for everyone) for 6 hours 1st semester and then you move to 7 hours second semester and then 8 hours 3rd semester. For 150 you will go to the nursing home first and then the hospital.

Hello everyone, I'm currently a 3rd semester evening student at JJC and would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have. Congratulations to all that made it! Just keep your eyes on the prize, remember how much you want to be a nurse and how hard you worked to get here and in 4 semesters, you will be there! I think that JJC prepares you, yes there are things about the program that frustrate a lot of people, me included, but that's life! Work hard, READ (for pete's sake, READ) and just worry about how you are doing, not everyone else. There will always be people that do better on everything, but passing, is passing, you all end up at the same finish line. It's the same prize for first as it is for last and no one knows who gets what place anyway! Feel free to ask any questions and enjoy the few months before school starts!

Hi everyone- Just wanted to touch base to see how everyone is doing first semester. It's been a challenge for me, but I'm hanging in there. How does everyone else feel?

Dancingkayla25- I was really surprised that the average test score for the first theory test was 80%. I did a little above that, but still didn't do as well as I had hoped. I'm really lucky to have an awesome clinical instructor who really helps us to keep all of the stuff we have to do this semester prioritized and on track. I am sure you will succeed, I know it is a lot of work though! Keep your head up and feel free to message me if you want, I know exactly how you feel!! It is only 4 semesters and you got here because you earned it and you deserve it!!

Good to know! It was just worrysome, because there were 2 particular teachers that I haven't heard anything good about!! You are right, the goal is to pass and you can't change who you get! Thanks, glad to know you are doing well! Keep up the good work skimstah!!

Hello Everyone- You all sound so helpful and I have a quick question about 2nd semester instructors (I know we can't use names, but initials and I can figure out who you are talking about). I'm in the evening program first semester and have heard some not so great things about a few teachers, just hoping someone has something more positive to say!! Any help is great!!

Jem8945- I'm pretty sure if you have all the prerequisites done you can just apply to the nursing program, but I would apply to the college first because you have to have a student email and I'm not sure if you can do that without being a student (not 100% positive on that). Anyway, the nursing program itself is 4 semesters and there is no way to shorten that unless you just want to go for your LPN, which would be 2 semesters. After you apply to the nursing program you will get an email to take the teas and then you will be notified if you are accepted. The nursing application dates are 2 times per year, Feb 1-10 and August 1-10 (double check these dates, I'm going off of memory). I know that Lewis and USF have programs for BS to BSN, which depending on what upper level classes you have taken, you would have to just take the nursing upper level classes and whatever other classes you don't already have (statistics, chem etc.). Hope this helps!

From what I understand, the first 4 weeks of clinical time are spent in the classroom, my time is from 4-10 for the evening program, but I think when you start out you are only in class for 4 hours and then after the first 4 weeks you move on to the nursing home where you will be 4-5 hours and that lasts 5 weeks, then you finish at the hospital which will be the full 6 hours. I don't know this to be absolute, but I've been told this by a few people. Hope that helps!!

I have a 3 year old, so I know how you feel! My husband works a lot and sometimes works nights, so the good part is that it's only for 8 weeks each semester. Do you have any family that can help out?

I vaguely remember being told at the informational nursing meeting a few months ago that the clinicals would be the 3-11 shift, but I'm not sure whether we work until 11 or get off a little earlier. We should find out for sure on Wednesday at registration. Sorry, hope that helps, see you there. Are you going to the 2 additional lab and organizational meetings?

That makes sense then! Thanks!! I do have a regular dr., but he doesn't do injections or labs at his office, so I'm using a dr. out of channahon that has all of that on site. If you are going to have to pay out of pocket, I would suggest trying either the Will County or Grundy County Health Department. I know when I was in high school, for my CNA class, we got the hep B there. I imagine they could do everything for you, but I have no idea how much it costs. If you can I would suggest going to the Grundy County HD, because I have a friend who takes her daughter to Joliet and she seems to have to spend 1/2 a day there. Hope that helps!

I had a few quick questions for anyone that knows the answers!! Just wondering if we need the background check completed before orientation on the 27th and is it mandatory if we are not already CPR certified to complete it at JJC? I can do the same Health Care Provider CPR at Morris for $25 cheaper. It didn't sound like the background check had to be done but I wanted to double check and it did sound like you could complete the CPR course anywhere as long as it was the Health Care Provider class, again just double checking! Thank you everyone for your help, it's very much appreciated!!

I think I will just keep my books, just in case. I should probably get rid of my cadaver, I was unaware that it was illegal!

Great information alma! Thanks! It's reassuring to hear that you did it being a single mother, that's a lot, congratulations!! I did have a question as to whether you ever used your A&P book for nursing. I'm contemplating whether to hold onto it or sell it, I didn't know how much would be included in my nursing books and don't want to have double books. Thanks for your help!!:)

I took underwood online and I loved her, I got an A and she did an awesome letter of recommendation for me. I do know that some people didn't like her, but if you do the work, it's not a bad class, but you will have to put in the time if you want to do well.

Hi guys! I was in another thread and didn't see this one until today. I'm in the evening program. Congratulations to all of you!

Great advice LilRN on the books. There's a girl in my Bio 251 class that uses the Incredibly Easy book for that and chemistry and she says they are awesome, so I will definately look into that. I will start reading over the summer for sure. You made me feel better about my CNA skills! I will have to practice my math as well. I used to work for an endo dr and I constantly had to calculate insulin dosages as well as other types of injections. I've actually given injections before, but only prefilled flu shots so I don't think that really counts! Thanks a lot for the info, it's hard to not know what kind of schedule you have, especially when you know you have to cram a lot into the time you do have. Thanks again and keep in touch!

Thanks LilRn, that helps a lot, thanks for your help! For some reason doing caths and injections is less nerve racking to me than doing bedbaths! Crazy right! Am I correct that the first semester the clinical times get longer after the first 8 weeks? I've heard that you are only in the lab at school for the first 8 weeks and the second 8 you start at the clincal site, is this correct? I'm trying to work (because I have to) and fit in enough time to study, spend time with my 3-year old and go to school, so any info helps!! Thanks again for your help and congratulations on only having 1 semester to go, I bet you are so excited!!

Thanks for joining the conversations! I actually do have some questions, if you don't mind LilRN. I don't know if you are evening program or day, but do you have any idea what the earliest the start time is for clinicals or class for evening? Also, what types of skills do you learn first semester. I am a CNA, but haven't actually used my skills in a while. I have worked in an office as a CNA for almost 9 years, not in a hospital setting and am not sure I remember how to do mitre corners on beds and do those types of things. I'm wondering if I just buy the nursing 140 book and practice over the summer, if that will cut it. What do you think? Thanks so much for the help!!

Congratulations!!! I feel so much better just knowing! Good luck to everyone else!!

Did you get your email? I got mine I was accepted into the evening program!!!!!!:):heartbeat

I hear we are supposed to get the email letting us know tomorrow 4/1. Good luck;)

I hope we both get in too! This waiting is making me nuts! Good luck to you and let me know if you get in!!

Just wondering if anyone knows what the average teas score is for people who were accepted in the last few semesters for the nursing program. I know that they use a certain % for each criteria and base that towards your acceptance or denial into the program, but I have no idea if what a "good" score is. My overall teas score was a 79.3%, reading was 92.9%, I've got 5/6 classes completed and out of those I have a 3.8 GPA. I still have no idea if this is even close to being good enough to get in! Any thoughts and comments appreciated! Thanks!!!