OK, we got in, but now what? I am a detail orientated person and I want info! When can I start picking up things I need? What are those items?
I have really lost it! I went from thinking about getting in to wondering what to do/what to read/what to buy before class starts.
And how big of a backpack do we REALLY need?
Anybody out there from CLC have any advice? Help me before my family moves out of the house permanently (wait...maybe that would be a good thing:devil:)!
Diedra, no it wasn't me yesterday!! I registered from home...finally after the system came back up. I ended up NOT in the section I wanted, but it's ok I guess. I have Janet R. as my instructor? I hope she is a good one, but I have no idea!
Colleen-are these module packets available in the bookstore I assume? I'll have to have my mother in law watch the kids one day so I can head over and get the bloodwork done. I always feel wierd showing up to CLC with little kids, lol!
Dawn, I was wondering because my daughter was standing in line yesterday waiting to register with another lady who was registering for 1st semester and she had a young one or two.
Are you taking evening classes? I had Janet for 1st semester. I liked her. You can always tell when she doesn't agree with you cuz her face gives it ALL away. I also think she truly cares.
The modules will be available at some point in the bookstore. After the first day of school (usually) you'll be able to print them off from Blackboard. I buy mine as I'm on dial-up. I know Colleen printed hers and had some issues. They usually run around $50.00 at the bookstore. If you'd like to get a head start - I can probably get the 1st module or 2 for you. Why don't you send me a private message with your email and we can talk about it.
I wouldn't worry too much about A&P - it's good to know, but doesn't seem to come up too often in 1st semester.
Diedra-I am not taking evening classes. I have the Mon/Wed section. My husband is too scared to deal with two kids alone at night, or else I would!! My clinical is at Centegra South/Centregra McHenry. I tried googling this place and I couldn't find "centegra south" on the Centegra website. Oh well, I guess!!
I know where Lake Forest is which is why I was hoping to get in there, but I guess the traffic will be better going to McHenry.
Ok, this might be a wierd question, or tmi, but I am breastfeeding my 4 week old son and I wondered if you get a break during your time at clinicals. I'm only wondering because I wouldn't mind pumping once during that time, but since it's only 5.5 hours my guess was no break, which is fine. I'll just have to pump before I leave for home.
Ok, I'll have to figure out how to send a private message now.
I thought you might be taking night classes cuz that's what Janet is teaching this semester. You will LOVE Centegra! They were the only ones to give us a "welcome breakfast" and an "exit lunch"! Next semester we are going to Centegra again and I know we are all excited.
South is on South Street in Woodstock - it used to be the original hospital in Woodstock. Where do you live?
There isn't really much of a break during clinicals. Don't worry about TMI. I worked a little bit when my son was still breastfeeding. He was a little stinker and would not take anything from a bottle or a cup. I nursed him before I left then nursed him as soon as I got home. He would "drain" both sides! I always had some frozen breast milk available if he ever decided he wanted it. You could start saving some now.
You will like Janet - she really does care about her students. And my best advice is similar to Diedra's - stay organized, and be prepared for class. You will have class guides in your module packets, and make sure you have read them and at least made an attempt to answer the questions prior to coming to class each week. I know Janet appreciates it when people actively participate in the discussions, etc. and you really can't do that without preparing.
As far as Centegra goes... You'll have to look for Centegra South Street or something like that. It is their surgical rehab facility in Woodstock (people recuperating from surgery who are too sick or sore or not mobile enough to go home on their own yet, but well enough to leave the hosptial). They also have an adult psych and adolescent psych ward there. Last semester Janet coordinated it that two of us at a time got to go to one or both of the wards during our clinical time instead of doing the regular patient care. It was nice because it gave you a sense of what other types of nursing are available to you. After the first 8 weeks we moved to Centegra Memorial which is in Woodstock. That was also a great experience, and some of us got to observe in Surgery, Radiology, Endoscopy and Brochoscopy. We liked the Centegra system so much, we are going back there for our clinicals next semester! They really want you to be happy there.
You don't get an "official" break during clinicals, but I am 100% certain you could make it happen. Last semester we never really took a break, but that isn't because we couldn't have - I think it's just because we never asked to. This semester there have been a few times that we've taken breaks and I think it is a good thing. Especially since you are breastfeeding, I am sure they will accomodate that!
Yikes...Woodstock! I live on the Round Lake/Volo border, almost by Rte 12. My husband thinks it'll take me 30-45 minutes to get to Woodstock. I guess it could be worse. Hopefully my mother in law will come to my house on the days I have to go to clinicals otherwise I'll be leaving the house at like 5am!!!
Thanks, this is great to get advice ahead of time. I think I have a ton of phone calls to make tomorrow before we leave for Thanksgiving!
Oh I know what else I thought of...We're going to a wedding in Mexico in February. We booked our tickets way in March this year (not knowing I'd be starting school again). The bad thing is I'll miss a Wednesday, Monday and another Wednesday. I tried to change our flights and couldn't. I had emailed Deb J. prior to even applying. She told me it was my decision. I really hope I won't be screwed missing so class. This stupid wedding is going to be the death of me. I hate destination weddings now! Maybe I'll try to call the airline and see if I get a nice person...that's the downside of booking early I guess.
In case I don't get back on before we leave, have a wonderful Thanksgiving everyone!!
Well the downside is that you will loose points. I think it's like 5 points for each class/lab/clinical, but it could be even more. The way the point system is set up that makes it REALLY hard to pull off an A.
I bet Woodstock is closer to you that Lake Forest would have been. You'll love Centegra!!!!
I was just reading the recent posts. Dawn, you said you live in the Round Lake/Volo area... I used to work in Lake Forest and the drive/traffic was unbelievably horrible. I used to have to leave my house by 5:30 to make it there by 7:15! I actually worked 5 minutes from the LFH hospital. Coming into McHenry/Woodstock you will not have to deal with bad traffic, so that is a good thing!
By the way, I'm also in Janets MW class! I look forward to meeting you!
Ok, I know we have to be CPR certified. I was searching the available classes and found: PALH 8
CPR Basic: BLS Healthcare Provider0 units
I was wondering if this the correct class. In case you're wondering, Dawn, there is one available for 12/11 from 5:00-10:00 pm. There's also a bunch still available in January.
Yes Lisa. That's the class. Just make sure that wherever you take the class it is CPR for Healthcare Providers and you're fine. (As opposed to BLS - Basic Life Support)
Dawn, I agree with Lisa - you'll be happy for the commute to clinical going the opposite way of most traffic. I live in Gurnee, about 5-7 minutes east of CLC off of Washington, and it would take me about 40 minutes to get to Woodstock last semester (remember, you're driving at like 6:00 am or so - since you have to be there by 6:45. so not much traffic at that time of day). It really wasn't bad at all. OK, the getting up part was bad, but the drive wasn't at all. And honestly, the experience was SO worth it. This semester we are at Vista (Waukegan) and it is terrible by comparison. The patient to nurse ratio at Vista is SO high - really too high to be safe in my opinion - where the ratio at Centegra was MUCH lower. Vista is something like 8-10 patients per 1 nurse, whereas Centegra is 4-5 patients per 1 nurse. That makes a HUGE difference in the quality of care. Also, when a nurse at Vista is that busy she has absolutely NO time to work with you as a student. It's been just awful compared to Centegra last semester.
If there's any way at all you can avoid missing those days I would. You can almost always make changes on the airlines - might cost you $100 or so to change. But you'll be setting yourself up at a points deficit if you don't. I'm assuming your clinical day is Monday, so you'll miss those points. And since you only go 2 days per week that means your lab and lecture are on the same day (Wednesday). So you'll miss points for both of those. Again though, it is your choice as Dr. J said.
When can I start picking up things I need? What are those items? 
dawn.b-RN
51 Posts
Diedra, no it wasn't me yesterday!! I registered from home...finally after the system came back up. I ended up NOT in the section I wanted, but it's ok I guess. I have Janet R. as my instructor? I hope she is a good one, but I have no idea!
Colleen-are these module packets available in the bookstore I assume? I'll have to have my mother in law watch the kids one day so I can head over and get the bloodwork done. I always feel wierd showing up to CLC with little kids, lol!
Thank you both for replying!! I appreciate it!