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This post is for anyone who would like a little more detail about Oakton Community College's nursing program than what the advisors provide. When I was looking for info about Oakton on allnurses it was generally outdated. I am new to the program, but I can explain a few things about the program. Below are some things about the program that I found important. 1. You do not get to pick the times you will attend class or clinical; nor do you have say in who your professors are. This is done "randomly" by the computer. 2. They intentionally will not place you near a hospital that is close to you. According to the chair, this is unfair for other students. 3. If you have any outstanding sciences to take, e.g. Pharmacology, A&P 2, or Microbiology, you will be forced to take them in the first semester along with your nursing courses. Therefore, it's best to get these done before hand. 4. First semester books are about $515 through El Sevier. You must purchase them through El Sevier to receive online access, as there are many online components to the nursing courses. According to the faculty, you will reuse a lot of these books in following semesters. So you may need to only purchase one or two additional books for the next 3 semesters. Also, El Sevier gives you 3 year access to the online resources so you can use them to prepare for the NCLEX. 5. For the first semester we will have lab once a week with lecture and clinical twice a week. Some clinical days are 12 hours long, and you cannot switch or change to another clinical group. Thankfully, on the 12 hour days you only attend clinical once a week. Also, some clinicals are in the day and some in the afternoon. Oh, and there is a mandatory 3 day orientation from 8am to 4pm. During this orientation, you will learn about the various things and practice your CNA skills to be tested on the last day of orientation. If you do not pass, you remediate and are tested again. Hope this helps!

Making a list of the things I need to do each week in my classes has been helpful during my studies. Stick to your schedule/list and don't procrastinate!

Hi there, I was wondering if anyone here has been to this institute and can share their experience with International Career Institute (ICI)? I'm looking for info on their CNA program. Specifically, how are the instructors? Are you expected to lift and change patients without assistance during clinicals? Were you prepared for the State Exam? Thanks!!

I'm looking for Math for Healthcare Professionals. It covers things like reading and calculating medicine dosages. I've completed Statistics online, but the community college I am considering applying to requires this specific math course for admissions. The class is full at the community college, so I've been searching for an equivalent. Thanks Everyone!

During your wait getting CNA certification and working in this field would probably be most beneficial. You would get some great hands-on experience and feel better prepared in your nursing classes. Wish you the best on your journey!

Are there any ADN to FNP programs that can be completed online? I researched this topic but most of the post on it are dated. If there are some good ones out there I'd love to hear from graduates of the program and your experiences. Would you do anything differently? My career goal is to be a FNP. I will have a non-nursing BA by the end of this year. For my career goal I thought it was better to go the Entry-MSN route. Now I'm not so sure, because I am having problems finding Accelerated BSN or Direct Entry MSN programs that fit my needs; I need one that's in a safe area, affordable, and has student diversity. Right now, I am considering not finishing my BA (so I can quality for financial aid) to get an ADN. If I do stop my BA, I would finish it after the completion of my ADN; I just have 3 more classes to go. I'm not sure if it's the best idea, but I'm not really seeing any other options. I kinda feel overwhelmed with all of this. Thanks for taking time to read this :).

Does anyone else have any input on actual schools? I really need to make a decision soon.

Hi All, Does anyone know of a community college that offers Math for Nursing and Allied Heathcare, or similar in an online format? I'm looking for at least a 2 credit class. Thanks

Thank you jlmPMHNPstudent! I appreciate your advice.

Hi Everyone, I graduate with my BA in a non-nursing field this year. My ultimate goal is to become a FNP, so I think that going into a direct entry MS or MSN would be best for me. I am open to a Accelerated BSN programs if I hope no other options. I was thinking about DePaul's MENP in IL, but I see this college has some complaints on financial aid problems and racism. I'm not sure how much of this information is true but it doesn't sound very good, and I can't find any recent feedback on the program. Also, the MENP there is quite expensive, I think around $90,000 total? Could someone provide me with advice on choosing a program? I prefer to go to a nursing program in IL but I am willing to consider other states in "safe" areas. And I don't really want to pay over $70,000 in total. Thanks!