Welcome to PREPARE
The Bill and Brittany Conway PREPARE Program for prelicensure students
We are excited for you to become a part of the UIC Nursing family. Your own excitement might be mixed with a bit of anxiety about the new concepts, new ways of thinking, new ways of learning and many more new experiences ahead. That's why we've developed PREPARE: Pre-licensure Readiness Education Program for Aspiring Registered nursEs.
The Bill and Brittany Conway PREPARE program is a mostly virtual program that delivers evidence-based programming to strengthen your knowledge before your first nursing course. You will be introduced to ideas and content that are known predictors of success in a prelicensure nursing degree program, and you'll be exposed to faculty expertise on critical topics. There will be pre- and post-assessments and links to resources so you can continue to work on improvement.
PREPARE is your orientation to UIC Nursing. All activities are designed to set you up for success in nursing school. Don’t miss out!
PREPARE: Pre-licensure Readiness Education Program for Aspiring Registered nursEs
The PREPARE program is funded by a gift from the Bedford Falls Foundation, which means it is no cost to you, but you must do the following by May 19:
- Submit your Intent to Enroll (ITE)
- Set up your UIC email address
- Order your CastleBranch account
It is anticipated that students will spend two to five hours per week on PREPARE, but this is very individualized based on your assessments. You can spend more time if you wish. There is no grade associated with PREPARE.
The first PREPARE session is a mandatory, and you’ll spend that day learning some of the most important information for your first steps at UIC Nursing.
To earn course credit for your first semester, you must fully participate in PREPARE by completing all of the following:
- Attend the May 19 and June 2 sessions
- Register for and take the TEAS exam (select a date below)
- Participate in Fire Chats
- Attend the in-person PREPARE campus experience
- Earn the ATI Launch certificate
PREPARE program dates
| Date/Time | For students at: | Event Name |
|---|---|---|
| May 19 (Mon) 12 to 1 p.m. | All campuses | PREPARE Kickoff |
| Get an overview of what to expect in the PREPARE program and how it will support your transition into nursing school. This session will also introduce you to the ATI platform, which you'll use throughout the program for content review and skill-building. Learn about next steps and how to make the most of this opportunity. View Recordings and Resources |
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| June 2 (Mon) 9 to 11 a.m. | All campuses | PREPARE for Takeoff: Orientation + TEAS 101 |
| Start your PREPARE journey with a program overview and everything you need to know about the TEAS exam. We’ll cover key test sections, study strategies, and how PREPARE will support your success. View Recordings and Resources |
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| June 2 (Mon) 12 p.m. June 3 (Tues) 10 a.m. June 4 (Wed) 5 p.m. June 5 (Thurs) 9 a.m. | All campuses | TEAS Exam: Register for one of the three dates/times offered. No preparation is required, and your results will not impact your admission. Even if you’ve taken the TEAS before, you must complete this exam as part of the PREPARE program. The exam will begin promptly at the top of the hour and may take up to four hours to complete. View Recordings and Resources |
| June 10 (Tues.) 12 to 1 p.m. | All campuses | Ready. Set. Go! Fire Chat on clinical and onboarding must-knows |
| We’ll cover onboarding steps, key deadlines, and tips to help you feel confident and prepared for your first clinical experience. Location: Online via Zoom link |
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| June 17 (Tues) 12 to 1 p.m. | All campuses | Fire Chat: Getting ready for nursing courses with faculty tips and expectations |
| In this session, nursing faculty will share what you can expect in your upcoming courses, including teaching styles, course structure, and tips for success. It’s a great opportunity to hear directly from your instructors and start the program feeling informed and prepared. Location: Online via Zoom link |
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| June 24 (Tues) 12 to 1 p.m. | All campuses | Fire Chat: UIC Nursing policies, student handbook highlights, and go-to resources |
| Learn the essentials of UIC Nursing policies, key sections of the student handbook, and commonly used student resources. This session will help you understand expectations and know where to turn for support throughout your nursing journey. Location: Online via Zoom link |
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| July 7 (Mon) 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. | Chicago, Rockford | PREPARE campus experience: From online to on-site |
| Join us on campus to connect with fellow PREPARE participants, meet faculty and advisors, and experience hands-on activities designed to reinforce key concepts from the program. This event is a great opportunity to build community, ask questions, and get a feel for the UIC College of Nursing before the semester begins. Location: In person at Chicago campus |
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| July 10 (Thurs) 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. | Urbana | PREPARE campus experience: From online to on-site |
| Join us on campus to connect with fellow PREPARE participants, meet faculty and advisors, and experience hands-on activities designed to reinforce key concepts from the program. This event is a great opportunity to build community, ask questions, and get a feel for the UIC College of Nursing before the semester begins. Location: In person at Urbana campus |
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| July 10 (Thurs) 9:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. | Springfield | PREPARE campus experience: From online to on-site |
| Join us on campus to connect with fellow PREPARE participants, meet faculty and advisors, and experience hands-on activities designed to reinforce key concepts from the program. This event is a great opportunity to build community, ask questions, and get a feel for the UIC College of Nursing before the semester begins. Location: In person at Springfield campus |