[LPN825]

Hello, everyone I was just wondering if anyone was doing a LPN/BSN, I was looking at indiana state university and the college network, has anyone done this program, or in the program now, or doing some other.

[Sensoria17]

I'm interested in this also. I'd particularly like to know how long it takes to get through the nursing portion.

[Bridey]

Please be aware that The College Network IS NOT a LPN/LVN-BSN program, it's a publishing company that sends you study guides of condensed material to review BEFORE you enter the program.

I have been doing A LOT of research on this because I am interested in obtaining my BSN and want to continue to work full time. I had an appointment with The College Network scheduled for this upcoming Tuesday, but decided to cancel it after reading a bunch of info on the Distance Learning threads here: http://allnurses.com/forums/f125/

Also, the LPN/LVN-BSN program IS NOT accepted in about 18 states. Texas (where I currently reside) is one of those states.

Check out the Distance Learning/Independent study threads on here and see what loads of other nurses have been saying about these publishing companies before you commit to their programs.

From what I have gathered, you can get just as much out of buying your own study material for a fraction of the cost (these guides are $400+ per guide and you will need between 10-12 guides) through Ebay, B&N, Books-a-million or Amazon.com.

My plans have changed now. I'm going to take some of my sciences online and apply directly to either Excelsior or ISU (without the publishing company middle man) OR finish up at the local CC here.

Good luck!!

[NC Girl 35]

I am leaning toward this program. Just waiting to take the PN NCLEX B4 I sign up. From what I understand, you have to go through college network for phase 2 or come to the campus and take the 4 pre nursing classes. ISU has given college network exclusive right to the 4 pre nursing class materials. You have 1 year to clep out of all 4 classes B4 you can apply to ISU nursing program. After you get in, you have to take 11 more classes online and do clinicals.

[Bridey]

Originally Posted by NC girl 35

I am leaning toward this program. Just waiting to take the PN NCLEX B4 I sign up. From what I understand, you have to go through college network for phase 2 or come to the campus and take the 4 pre nursing classes. ISU has given college network exclusive right to the 4 pre nursing class materials. You have 1 year to clep out of all 4 classes B4 you can apply to ISU nursing program. After you get in, you have to take 11 more classes online and do clinicals.

I don't know who told you that The College Network had exclusive rights to anything, but they were mistaken. You don't have to go through The College Network or any other publishing company for anything. They aren't associated or endorsed by either of the colleges they suggest (Excelsior & ISU) obtaining your degree through. They simply allow you the materials you'd need to CLEP out of classes (that both programs require as pre-req's) that you would be able to CLEP out of through any CLEP testing site that offers credit for the tests you take.

The College Network portion of the program does NOT include the books/materials or tuition you need in order to apply to either of those programs. They send you guides that will help with the program once you have applied to get into them.

Please read the fine print of these programs. You don't have to take the classes through TCN or Rue or any of the other companies out there. You can just as easily apply to the LVN-BSN program at ISU or the LVN-ASN program at Excelsior after taking college courses online or CLEPing out of them through an approved CLEP Testing Center.

This is a letter or warning posted on the Excelsior College website regarding people going through TCN and other companies:

https://www.excelsior.edu/portal/pag..._schema=PORTAL

And here are the requirements to get into the ISU LVN-BSN Track Program per their website:

http://www.indstate.edu/nurs/admissi...ia-lpn-bs.html

Nowhere does it say you have to go through TCN. It says that you need an LVN license and to take the 2 pre-req's prior to acceptance into the program. You can take those courses at any CC, online or you can CLEP out of them without going through TCN.

Really know what you are getting into before you commit yourself to TCN. They ARE very convincing and I'm sure loads of people end up applying to the programs and do well after getting study material through TCN, but there are easier, more affordable ways to go about the same thing. That's all I'm saying.

Good luck in whatever you decide!

[NC Girl 35]

Thanks for replying,
I got this information from a lady name Kim who handles the LPN to BSN portion of the ISU. Of course I can take my Level 1 Pre requesites at the CC BUT
Phase Two are 4 undergrad nursing courses that you have to clep out of before you can get into their nursing program. The university does not offer those 4 class online at their university.The person at ISU told me that they gave college network the exclusive right to the clep for those classes but if I decided not to clep out of them, I would have to go to the university to take them like a traditional student
The classes Im refering to are
Nursing Aspect to Mental Health
Nursing for the childbearing
Nursing for the child
Nursing for the Adult

The admission person from ISU told me that ISU and College Network has a partnership to complete the program and it says it on their website.

College Network and Excelsior has no partnership.

[rizza]

I would do alot more investigating before signing up for this program. I had 2 guys come to our school and try to convince a class of 35 to sign up and only 1 person did. Whenever we asked a question they would dance around it and answer about something that had nothing to do with the question. Also if you do sign up you have to find a hospital willing to let you do your clinicals then find a nurse for every department you go to to be your preceptor. Sounds like alot of work. They said it would take like 4-5yr to finish the program if you didnt have your prereqs done. Good luck to all who choose this path just be careful.