Any CURRENT LVN to RN ISU OR Unitek Students from SF Bay Area here?

[XXWeaponX]

Hey There-

My name is Logan and I just graduated from Gurnick a couple weeks ago. I've been simultaneously finishing my AS degree in Health Education @ CCSF, and was planning on attending SF STATE in spring, to finish my Health Ed BS, and attempt to get into their BSN nursing program, but SF STATE, like most CAL STATE schools, are not admitting new students Spring '10.

Which brings me to Indiana State University. I met with someone from The College Network about 1 month ago.

I wasn't super thrilled about that whole deal, but I would only need to take like 2 of their "classes" so I figured it couldn't be that bad. It was sounding like a totally cool deal, until they began to tell me about the clinicals, and I called BS. I asked for the clinical instructor's info at ISU, and was given the number to reach her. She was pretty rude when I called, and refused to connect me with other Northern California students, and could not give me a list of active clinical sites.

I'm getting kind of desperate. It's so hard to get into RN programs here, which is why I went to LVN school in the first place, to try to make it a little easier. Now with many schools not admitting new students for Spring semester, and an average of 1000 applicants and 30-50 slots at the JC's RN programs, I'm feeling discouraged. I'm afraid to work as an LVN, too, b/c I feel like once I start, it'll be really hard to just stop and go back to school. I need to do it now. There is one school here, Unitek, that is very expensive, but is not a problem to get into their LVN to RN ADN program.

So here is what I am looking for- Current ISU students that can tell me about the clinical sites, what it is like to navigate the ISU clinical set up, and if it is worth it. I have read the other threads relating to ISU, but most are about TCN, not ISU clinicals. The only clinical info I found was from a student living in Chicago who could not get clinical sites, period. I'm interested in hearing from people living anywhere in the SF Bay area, from SJ to SF to East Bay to Sonoma Co.

I'm also interested in hearing from current Unitek RN students re: quality of education, quality of clinical sites, and if you are getting your $40k worth.

There is the fact of Gurnick starting a bridge program, the thing is, who knows when it will happen, and I haven't been too pleased with my Gurnick experience. I have little faith they can provide better in their RN Program. I attended Concord campus, where we had a couple good teachers, but really limited overall. They pull this crap with the Hesi, but don't prepare you to take it at all...One Clinical site has a great instructor, Monty Sauceda, but one good instructor at a decent site is not cool. The rest of the sites were wack.

I'd appreciate any advice and shared experience that can be offered.

[MOMALOLA]

Hi ...I was wondering its been a year did you make a decision and if so which one and why? I am an LVN who has

been enrolled in the college network/indiana state nursing program but have not made much progress and this is more due to my own lack of discipline. I am looking at Unitek but I am interested in eventually getting my bsn and

need to see how that would work with Unitek's program. Yes the cost is high but the sooner your out there making an RN's wages I would think you can get back the cost. As an LVN now for almost 10yrs I am seeing my

job opportunities less and less and having a sister and mother who are RN's I see where they have had opportunities for jobs that I know I would really like..its not just about the money.. Would love to hear where your educational road took you. Thanks in advance!

[XXWeaponX]

Well, I started working in medical research, which is what I always wanted to do. Unfortunately, that brought my nursing education to a grinding halt. I work as a nurse on a research study, so I have been ok with not moving forward atm. I have been finishing up my Health Education BS in the meantime, and plan to start a dual MPH/MHA in Spring of 2012. That should take me about 2-3 years to finish, and then my study will be finished as well.

Additionally, my lvn school is adding a BSN program to their offerings, and that will start in a couple years. At that time my kid will be in 1st grade, and I can take time off to finish my RN at last. It is necessary to finish your RN for sure, it's just that the College Network and Unitek are not the best way to do it. I definitely don't think it's worth it to pay $50k for a ADN.