[bethinct]

Ok, I am gradually getting more confused. I know that TCN is NOT a college but a publisher of study guides. EC is actually the college.
Now that I have that straight, I just graduated and a member from TCN came and said it is actually cheaper to go through TCN than through Excelsior, which makes no sense. Anyway, If TCN materials will help me suceed, I have NO problem with paying more money, but come on, be honest about it!
TCN rep also stated that you only need four to five hours per week to study and than you will take the test every four weeks.
He also said that with the TCN program fee, that EVERYTHING is included, such as test fees through EC, ALL study guides and says TCN will provide FREE tutor if you fail a test to help you study. TCN rep also said it includes ALL fees with EC except for the clinical weekend. I just want to make sure I know what I am getting into.
Also, does anyone know if you have NO college credits and are an LPN, Approx how much does this TCN actually cost?
The TCN kept saying it is $130 per month but I want to know how much the whole program is AND if it includes what he says,like if you fail a test you can just keep taking it until you past and you do not have to pay again to take the test.
PLEASE I need someone to spell this all out for me. Thank you!!!!

[EricJRN]

Basically, they must be saying that TCN is cheaper than purchasing all of the EC-recommended textbooks at full price.

(Never mind that, with the advent of sites like Amazon and half.com, you'd have to be out of your ever-loving mind to buy any such book at full price.)

[txspadequeen921]

I tell you ..It all bunch of baloney................. Ok you go to the half price book store get a second hand copy of a good Psych book or a CLEP study guide study real hard then take the CLEP test.... Each CLEP test is $70 and then your book what ever the cost. The college network charges between $400-450 per guide...that is crazy. When you get to the nursing test there are places like Lisa Arends and Study group101 that many people use as their main study source to combat the EC test. I used mostly Lisa's (they are $12/a piece) bu then switched over to studygroup 101 ( they cost $10)..... Read the threads in the istance learning forums to gain a better understanding ....

[akanini]

OP, I'm telling you TCN knows how to swindle people and get them to believe that it can't be done without them. PLEASE!!!! I refuse to give anyone money to go through EC when I can get free materials or their material on EBAY if I must. These people are greatsalesmen and I tell you, they seem to be working.


Everyone learns differently so you have to do what works best for you. Best of luck in your decision.

[Melinurse]

Basically , if it " sounds too good to be true" it probably is. If they use alot of words, or get ( as my grandfather says ) too fancy with the words, forget it. Sounds like the rep was a used car salesman.
There are less expensive ways. I used my friends med-surg book from the local college here. ( not even the one EC recommends ) I used Nursing Made Easy books and got the magazine subscription. Oh, my friend let me buy the med-surg book for $ 5.00 and sold me her maturnity/labor and delivery book for $10.00 and a lab book for $ 1.00. I also watch lots of videos on YouTube, especially ones from Campbellteaching, o2demand, ed4nurses. As well as www.icufaqs.com I read exactly what the free EC study guides said to read, I just had to go by content instead of the chapters. I CLEP'd out of most classes and a few of my LPN class credits also carried over to EC. I did not take any " pre-test" from EC cause I did not have the $$$$. Still passed. I did not take any workshops. Still passed CPNE with no repeats. This program is doable.

[akanini]

Melinurse you give me courage. I will start taking my general educations credits next month upon graduation. I need 3 or 4 of them. Once I pass the boards I am enrolling straight though with EC, no middle man.