j0190

I finished my first "segment" of the clinical rotation, and now I have to go to another hospital for my second clinical rotation. During my first clinical rotation, I met a caring instructor who gave me great advice and guided me though my rotation. She is role model, and I'm very thankful that I had a chance to learn from her. My school had some schedule conflict, and I had to leave the hospital in such a short notice. I didn't have a chance to say goodbye to my instructor. Would it be okay to send a thank you card to my clinical instructor? I don't know her email, and we are not allowed to personally contract hospital staff while we are in the program. So the only way for me to contract her is by sending her a card to her hospital mailbox. And I will have to wait until I'm done with the program.(I have about 10 more months left.) I'm thinking about sending a thank you card and a badge reel. Would it be "awkward" to send her a thank you card 10 months later? During my clinical rotation, I was a quiet student and I made a ton of mistakes. I'm worried that she might not even remember me. I really want to thank her for everything she has done for me, but I'm not sure if this is a good idea.

I recently took the CNA Exam and I think I passed it. I'm going to start looking for CNA jobs, but I'm not sure how much hourly pay should I be expecting. I heard some places even asks you to put your desired hourly pay range.. What would be the reasonable pay range for new CNA? I'm going to look for jobs in the suburb. Is there a pay range difference between hospital and nursing home/rehab jobs? Also, is there a lot of difference between working at hospital and nursing home? (types of work that you have to do, working hours.. etc)

I will be applying to the Oakton's RN program in the near future. I looked at their RN program website, and it seemed like they only look at the NLN score.. Is this true? (seemed like it's their only factor that determines your admission) (I know that you have to complete prerequisites and be on the CNA registry..) Also, on the website it says that if you take more than 12 credit hours at Oakton, Oakton's GPA will take precedence. I have taken classes at other colleges. So if I take more than 12 hours at Oakton, is this mean they will not look at my cumulative GPA from my previous colleges? Do they not look at your GPA at all for admission? (As long as you meet the minimum requirement..) Or is it better if you have higher GPA? I know that it varies from year to year, but what would be the NLN score that I will need to get to get into the program? Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thank You!

Hi! I'm planning on applying to Harper College RN program in near future.. (but not fall 2014..) Do you guys know what is like the "point line cutoff" for getting into the RN program? I know it varies from year to year.. I have not taken NLN yet.. what worries me is I'm struggling in bio 160. If I don't get any point from bio 160, would it be hard to get in? I'm going to take bio 130, but it will be after I submit my application. (As I'm waiting for my decision, I will be taking bio 130) On harper website, they said you need A or B in bio 160 and 161, and NLN score in the 80's to 90's. what is like the actual point need to get in? Do you guys know if there's anyone who got in with lower score? Any help will be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

I'm going to start RN program at a community college in near future. All of those posts about "no jobs" worries me. Is it really that hard to find a job in Illinois? (I'm not only talking about the jobs in big hospitals, but also in nursing homes too..) I will probably have to find jobs in suburbs/Chicago area.. To be more successful at finding RN jobs, what are some things that I should do? (I'm planning on getting BSN after I get my RN, but it is going to take another year or so). I'm really concerned that I wouldn't be able to find a job even after I finish my RN program.

What is starting pay like for new CNA in Chicago and suburbs? I searched online for more information, but every website came up with different pay scales. What would be the typical hourly wage for new CNA in those areas? Thank You for the Help! :)

For the college that I'm looking at, one of the requirements to enter RN program is to pass CNA registry exam. (and have active status as Illinois CNA) However, I'm not sure if the "CNA registry exam" is something that I can study on my own. Do I have to take the CNA class to be eligible to take the CNA exam? I know that the college that I'm looking at is offering a CNA course. And I think that course includes clinical rotation. I'm not sure if I have to take this class because since this class is one semester long, this means that I have to wait one more semester to actually apply for the RN program. Also, is it hard to get a job as CNA in Chicago & suburbs? And what is the pay scale like for new CNA in these area? (I'm thinking about working part time as either CNA or pharmacy technician. I just can't decide what would be the better choice for me. (in terms of pay)) Thank you for the help!

I'm going to start taking RN courses soon. I want to work while taking those classes. However, because of the class schedule, I cannot get a full time job. I know that once the clinical and rotations start, it will be hard to work. But, at least for the first year, I want to work. I'm thinking about working as a pharmacy technician. What other jobs should I look into?

I will be graduating college with BS in biology next month. I want to take classes at a community college and get AS degree in nursing. However, I'm not sure if I will be able to get a job as RN after I get my associates degree. It seems like a lot of the hospitals want BSN. I have been struggling to find a job with biology degree, and I want to make a career plan change. I'm worried that I would be in a same position even after I get a RN degree. As a new grad of RN program, would it be hard to get a job at hospital in Chicago area? Thank you for the help!