LPN to BSN @ Indiana State U...here is the info i got!!!

angelamuya · Nov 13, 2011

LadyinScrubs,

You are Awesome! You give so much information on Indiana State than I could get from them myself! I wanted to know if you can tell me what percentage you need to get on Each final for Each course. Meaning the ones in Phase 2 and the Nursing courses in Phase 3.

Thank You :)

LadyinScrubs, ASN, RN · Nov 14, 2011

on what phase are you now and how has it been so far? i would love to hear about your experience since i am eager and nervous about going online for the bsn program

i am going into the 4th semester. i am half way through the program.

my experience has been favorable. the program is rigorous and there is much reading as well as writing. the difference from this program is you will understand the information much more than if you were in a brick and motor program. because the professor does not know anything about our retention without feedback, the professor requires many discussion boards as well as short papers. we are given an issue and we must discuss and give citations for our stance. the program makes one think and understand the information in depth if you are to get the points that go towards your grade. however, the first 10 weeks we are slammed with work; after that, it slows down a little.

oh, as far as giving info about the lpn to bsn isu program...they have only so many people. if i can give out the basic info that people need, those people don't need to contact isu--meaning, they have more time to devote to their job and those in the program. helping others and providing info about the program helps me and others matriculating through the program. helping others is just self interest...but i have been in your shoes. if it were not for an and those who provided info to me, i would not be here to help others. so, when i move on, you and others i have touched, need to pick up the torch.....

LadyinScrubs, ASN, RN · Nov 14, 2011

The school policy recently changed about paying 1/2 of the fee for challenge exams. You have to pay the fee in full before taking the exam. Nurs 106 $142. Nurs 224 $355. Nurs 328 & 330 $284. So you would have to pay &142.00 before taking Nurs 106. I was told this by C.L. in testing center at ISU.

Makes more sense. Paying half before and half after was tiresome. Yes, you must pay the challenge fees..which are similar to other nursing college's challenge fees ($400+/- for each challenge). If you go to a testing center for your challenge tests, then add to those fees the testing center's fees for each test. Welcome to distant learning--a very rapidly expanding program for colleges and universities. Essentially, it is a money tree for the institution. They do not need to provide class rooms, parking, utilities, etc. for those attendinng. All they do is hire an IT person, get the professor, design the program...and start charginng the students what nursing students pay at the brick and mortor program plus a hefty distant learning fee. Not a bad racket.

LadyinScrubs, ASN, RN · Nov 14, 2011

i wanted to know if you can tell me what percentage you need to get on each final for each course. meaning the ones in phase 2 and the nursing courses in phase 3.

you must pass. i am not certain the specific #, but it is in the high 70s..because i don't get scores anywhere near the cutoff the program is fair. it is rigorous but fair. the first two classes (assessment and transition give extra credit; mental health does not). many of the classes are mixed with lpns and rns. you will enjoy the mental stimulation with the discussion boards and other posts.

angelamuya · Nov 14, 2011

Thank you for your response!

I guess my main question is basically does your Final grade for each course only come from your Final exam?

Or is it a coolaberation of assignments, quizzes, TD's, and final test score.

I almost got caught up in a private school, and they Only passed with your test scores. Hopefully my question makes sense! Here's the example:

The private schools grading policy was 90% tests and 10% assignments and you need to pass the course by 75%, so if your all tests scores, which there was like 7-8 tests and a final throughout the one course, only added up to 73 or 75% overall, they would not allow you to use the 10%, because you were not at 75% already overall with the test score total average, so then you failed the course. They would only allow the 10% to kick in if you already had 75% overall. So the 10% ended up not benefiting you at all.

But glad to hear you said the program is fair. I kind of felt like the school made it very difficult to pass, so that you had to pay another $15,000 to repeat the course. But that was just my observation.

Tootie88 · Nov 14, 2011

Hello, All

i was recently admitted into ISU. I am looking to start their LPN-BSN program next fall. Im so glad I thought everything over before signing on with TCN. They make it seem like it is absolutely necessary. And also tried to sign me up for all the other classes I needed.

The faculty at ISU are extremely helpful and fully answer each and every question. I was stressing about the study guides, but I will just use my LPN texts and ATI to study.

blakuts · Nov 22, 2011

hello ineedachange1. I also live in NJ and am doing the prereqs to apply fall 2012. I have already been accepted to the college and have had my transcripts read. I will be taking a chemistry class starting january and testing out of micro. I will also take the 4 nursing and the teas test all within the next 6 months to meet the june 1st deadline. let me know if you would like any other info from someone local to you.

Temeika, LPN · Nov 25, 2011

Yes, I agree, I printed the objectives from the syllabus, and I took Nurs 106 for $142 and passed, really I barely studied, but I skimmed my old mental health LPN textbook and my old ATI book for mental health. so I'm prepping for the next exam right now.

P.S.I'm a new grad nurse also, graduated Dec. 2010, really just landed my first real job as a LPN fulltime in a nursing home. I was able to apply alot of what I learned to my experience working also since, nursing home care deals with Mental health alot.

Temeika, LPN · Nov 25, 2011

Yes you do not need TCN or Excelsior. Excelsior is different from ISU for it has no clinicals and you study at your own pace. At ISU, you must do clinicals in your area and you must take the lecture class with the other online students--you study on your own but have goals to reach each week, etc. Go to the ISU nursing website for the LPN to BSN program. It will list the prerequisites and the general educational classes you must have to apply to the program. (those classes can be taken at a local community college). Once you apply, you will need to pass 4 challenge coursees. Then you are admited on an interim basis till you pass the first two courses at ISU.

To meet state guidelines, excelsior now requires 300+ clinical hours vs. the weekend thing they were doing before.

Emmie620 · Nov 25, 2011

Are you still working on this program or have you finished. ...I am working on Nursing care and family and was hoping you could give me any advise..

LadyinScrubs, ASN, RN · Nov 29, 2011

to meet state guidelines, excelsior now requires 300+ clinical hours vs. the weekend thing they were doing before.

i am a little confused--which "state" since excelsior is nationwide and many states do not accept excelsoir or its grads.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Nov 30, 2011

To meet state guidelines, excelsior now requires 300+ clinical hours vs. the weekend thing they were doing before.

That "weekend thing" -- the Clinical Performance in Nursing Exam (CPNE) -- has not gone away. Some states do require additional hours, but never in place of the CPNE. It's a non-negotiable, necessary evil.