Resurrection Health Facilities in Chicago (eg Saint Mary of the Nazareth)

meganWCNA · Apr 6, 2009

I am a CNA in the Resurrection system however I didn't take the class with them but I hear it's really good, I'm pretty sure you get placed in a Resurrection facility immediately if you want, since they always need people and their job descriptions all say new grads are welcome. They do offer tuition reimbursement for ADN programs. They are, as everyone is, very short of nurses so you will be sought after if you continue with your plan. They are also affiliated with Westlake College of Nursing which, in my opinion, is the best nursing school in Illinios even though I do not go there- their students that do clinicals with me are EXCELLENT and I've just heard nothing but good things. They only offer a BSN though. You should check it out even if you're not looking at BSN programs. If you are a CNA within the Resurrection system and decide to attend Westlake they are very flexible and will give you a lot of support. Good luck! Let me know if you have any other questions!

75th · Apr 7, 2009

Megan,

Thanks for the helpful reply. I put in a call today to one of the contacts there and am waiting to hear back.

Thanks again.

75th · Apr 8, 2009

Unfortunately the summer program is filled. Back to square one it seems.

It would be nice to go through the program through a facility that has the potential to offer immediate employment.

meganWCNA · Apr 8, 2009

I got my license at a nursing facility back home in WI which offered immediate employment through them and it was free, not all nursing homes are terrible places to work, in case you haven't checked into that. I'm not sure if anything like that is offered around here, I do know there are many random tech school programs that offer it though. I see the ads on TV and in the paper all the time but don't know really know how they work/how MUCH they are. Are you VERY set on doing the CNA first? Many nursing programs incorporate the CNA as the very first thing you do, and I know a few people that started nursing school, got their CNA at the very start of the program but then decided against becoming an RN and are now working as CNAs pursuing other things. So basically the nursing program itself offers you a chance to "get your feet wet" (and a smart exit point if you find you hate it). Anyway, honestly, I don't think you should be so worried about actually getting a job when you are done. The hospital floor I work on has routinely hired brand new CNA graduates that have not all been from Resurrection's program. We even have CNA students from other programs (like the ones advertised all the time) do clinicals on our floor and our manager is always talking with them about where they plan to go when they are finished. I haven't really ever talked with them about their programs so I apologize I cannot give you much more info but stick with it! If all else fails and you really still want to make sure nursing is what you want before you start a program I would say to try to find something where you are simply around nurses a lot. Maybe a unit secretary or something where you can see exactly what they do and could decide if you could see yourself doing it. Again, just my opinion, but I wouldn’t be so afraid of not having "experience" before you start a program, it’s respectable to start from the bottom and work your way up but you are not fresh out of high school, it seems you've done your research and have a genuine idea that this might be for you. If a CNA course just isn’t available yet don’t let that stop you from maybe enrolling in a pre-req right away. On a completely different note I also get a little worried having seen many people be completely turned off to nursing after working as CNAs, especially if you are older and are making a career change from an area where you might have been a lot more professionally respected, since being a CNA will be a step down from that unfortunately. Hope that makes sense, sorry this is quite long; I guess I’m in an advice giving mood today. Good luck and let me know if you have any other questions!

75th · Apr 8, 2009

Thanks again for the reply.

I would say that my motivation towards getting a CNA first is to not only gain some experience (which obviously would be nice), but also to be able to join a facility that would offer tuition reimbursement. Naturally I could just as well apply for an admin assistant position and have access to the same benefit, however I figure if Im going to be working it may as well be doing something that is going to give me a leg up on my peers come graduation time.

And I can definately understand how some people may be turned off after working as a CNA considering all you do is "grunt work." My attitude is that if you truly have passion for the field of nursing as a whole then it shouldnt negatively affect you. Then again, it could act as a rude awakening.

Anyway, Ill be applying to a few random hospital positions tonight (through facilities that all offer tuition reimbursement) and Ill ramp up the volunteering through the University of Chicago Medical Center to learn as much as I can regarding patient interaction (not all of us Wall St folk are heartless ).

Thanks again for the reply, and Im glad youre in an advice giving mood.

docent1 · May 16, 2009

Hi 75th. I've been trying to reach that responsible person for CNA course in St Mary Hospital since April, but I can't. I left her a couple of messages and so far is not response. You said that the summer program is filled. Do you know anything about the next term? I guess it should be in fall, shouldn't it? Recently I've checked some colleges for the summer program and all of them are full (Malcolm X, Washington College, Wright College and others). Look like a lot of people want to be CNA. Could you please say if you know the fee for this program in St Mary.

Thanks in advance.