Lamar State College LVN to RN

Nursing Students LPN-RN

Published

Any one in this program? I am looking it to it as it is the cheapest option I have found... Seems a lot like excelsior with the exception on clinicals (how do they do them?)????

Specializes in Very well rounded..

Valerie, keep us posted please. I have two co-workers that want to enter the program. Lucky ladies get my books for free. Russell

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Specializes in Very well rounded..

Melissa, sorry. I should have addressed this reply to Mannoim. Looks like you answered the question on 33.

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They are not accredited anymore for the online program. Just the ones that are already in the program may proceed. They are not excepting new students for distance learning. Im at the end trying to pass my exit ATI and that what has been so challenging and time consuming. Since there are so many test dates and locations available take exit exam it makes it take longer. I find the remedial class a big joke. not helpful at all. same with this program you are on your own.

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Hi I'm a canadian lpn looking at moving to USA for studies for Rn. Any recommended schools?

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
Valerie keep us posted please. I have two co-workers that want to enter the program. Lucky ladies get my books for free. Russell[/quote']

I will. I'm hoping in the next couple years they will start the online program again. This would be the best option for me since I am pregnant now.

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

I do not believe Lamar-PA will be allowed to start another online program. Here is the 40 pg report from the TX-BON that details the history of the failure of this program: http://www.bon.texas.gov/about/January2014/3-2-11.pdf Seems they will be lucky to get an onsite program started anytime soon.

Don't be discouraged & wait for another online opportunity. I investigated if online would work for me as I had to work FT. I looked into the upward mobility program at Lamar & Excelsior's online program. Excelsior was too expensive & had too much at stake in having to rely on a one attempt pass/fail CPNE. Lamar's fast track would have taken too much time in writing essays that would not assist in taking NCLEX. I work with 2 Lamar grads & most of what they did was Googled for information to put the required # of words down in an online discussion board. They did not read or absorb what they wrote, they were only fulfilling an assignments requirements. The student faculty ratio when they attended was 100-200:1. They had "coaches" that just graded assignments. Feedback was minimal, if any. Faculty nor coaches participated in these discussions that were long threads of essays that no one really read. Both had to repeat classes that added to the cost & time in school. They struggled with NCLEX passing only on 2nd & 3rd attempts because they were not prepared. They studied hard, but they just didn't learn much in the program. They had few tests & when they did, they scored low, there was no assist from faculty or the class coaches in providing any form of a test review. Clinicals were up to them to find & both did them on the unit they worked, so they learned nothing outside of their comfort zones. I think that those who are great writers & able to invest a lot of time above and beyond assignment completion can probably succeed in this type of program than those who are not. I think Lamar in Orange has a similar online program, but I advise anyone interested, to 1st check their stats at the BON website. I suspect those left in this program are at risk of failing out & have to start all over in another program. I made my final decision after reviewing NCLEX pass rates & comparing this program with Lone Star programs. Lamar consistently had low pass rates among a decent # of test takers. These stats were not good & all I could see was having additional cost & frustration in retaking classes & NCLEX. In the end, I chose Lone Star, applied at all campuses & was accepted at North Harris. It was hard having to go to school/clinical on my days off, but I found that I had no problem in being scheduled every Fri -Sun & holidays when in school. I learned a lot in clinical areas that were outside med/surg. Every class had tests that prepared us for NCLEX. Faculty provided remediation for those who did not do well on any test. I studied hard for every test & used my vacation time to prepare for NCLEX. I passed on the 1st attempt & did not have to repeat any classes.

I am telling you this not to brag, but to show that with creative scheduling & choosing a successful program it can be done at the same cost & graduate in the same anticipated time frame. I also had 75% tuition & book reimbursement from the hospital so my biggest investment was time. There are a lot of colleges & universities in Texas with good LVN-RN programs. Some have hybrid classes, so you still can find one with some of the classes offered online, but will take real NCLEX-type tests on campus.

Good luck & don't give up, you can succeed!

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
I do not believe Lamar-PA will be allowed to start another online program. Here is the 40 pg report from the TX-BON that details the history of the failure of this program: http://www.bon.texas.gov/about/January2014/3-2-11.pdf Seems they will be lucky to get an onsite program started anytime soon. Don't be discouraged & wait for another online opportunity. I investigated if online would work for me as I had to work FT. I looked into the upward mobility program at Lamar & Excelsior's online program. Excelsior was too expensive & had too much at stake in having to rely on a one attempt pass/fail CPNE. Lamar's fast track would have taken too much time in writing essays that would not assist in taking NCLEX. I work with 2 Lamar grads & most of what they did was Googled for information to put the required # of words down in an online discussion board. They did not read or absorb what they wrote they were only fulfilling an assignments requirements. The student faculty ratio when they attended was 100-200:1. They had "coaches" that just graded assignments. Feedback was minimal, if any. Faculty nor coaches participated in these discussions that were long threads of essays that no one really read. Both had to repeat classes that added to the cost & time in school. They struggled with NCLEX passing only on 2nd & 3rd attempts because they were not prepared. They studied hard, but they just didn't learn much in the program. They had few tests & when they did, they scored low, there was no assist from faculty or the class coaches in providing any form of a test review. Clinicals were up to them to find & both did them on the unit they worked, so they learned nothing outside of their comfort zones. I think that those who are great writers & able to invest a lot of time above and beyond assignment completion can probably succeed in this type of program than those who are not. I think Lamar in Orange has a similar online program, but I advise anyone interested, to 1st check their stats at the BON website. I suspect those left in this program are at risk of failing out & have to start all over in another program. I made my final decision after reviewing NCLEX pass rates & comparing this program with Lone Star programs. Lamar consistently had low pass rates among a decent # of test takers. These stats were not good & all I could see was having additional cost & frustration in retaking classes & NCLEX. In the end, I chose Lone Star, applied at all campuses & was accepted at North Harris. It was hard having to go to school/clinical on my days off, but I found that I had no problem in being scheduled every Fri -Sun & holidays when in school. I learned a lot in clinical areas that were outside med/surg. Every class had tests that prepared us for NCLEX. Faculty provided remediation for those who did not do well on any test. I studied hard for every test & used my vacation time to prepare for NCLEX. I passed on the 1st attempt & did not have to repeat any classes. I am telling you this not to brag, but to show that with creative scheduling & choosing a successful program it can be done at the same cost & graduate in the same anticipated time frame. I also had 75% tuition & book reimbursement from the hospital so my biggest investment was time. There are a lot of colleges & universities in Texas with good LVN-RN programs. Some have hybrid classes, so you still can find one with some of the classes offered online, but will take real NCLEX-type tests on campus. Good luck & don't give up, you can succeed![/quote'] Well I am pregnant & was hoping to go this route as it would be easier. If they get their online program back before I apply at the community college in my town, I will go with Lamar. The only hybrid option close to me is with TAMUCC & they are extremely picky & it's hard to get in. So other than that I have no real choice but to go brick & mortar, but being pregnant, it doesn't work. So I'll just have to wait & see what happens down the road.
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