Any LPN to RN online programs that are accepted nationwide?

I've heard a lot of the online LPN to RN programs arent accepted in many states. Has anyone had any experience with these programs and what was your experience in getting them accepted by your board of nursing? I'm specifically interested in Excelsior.

I live in GA. I started excelsior several years ago and stopped when GA stopped accepting them, but you really should talk to some people who have successfully completed the program b/c it's hard and designed to be a money maker. I work with a lady who did it, but she said it was a rip off in a lot of ways. The 2 day clinical for example; She said they fail most people. At that time it was $275 a pop, and she along with people from all over the US had to take it 2 and 3 times (some never passed it). She said they find ridiculous, inconsequential things to fail you. She was at the end of the program, waiting on clearance to take her boards, and b/c of changes in what the state would accept, she ended up having to find hospitals that would allow her to do clinicals with them (which was hard since she was like an independant student). She had to do somewhere around 500 hrs I think, before they would allow her to take boards. She successfully did it, but it ended up being very costly in time and money.

So my advice...... Find someone who's not selling it, that has actually succeeded at it and let them tell you, so you know what your really getting into.

And ofcourse, as the last person said, check with your state boards to see what they will accept.

Indiana State University has an accredited LPN to BSN program.

Oh - and you are not going to find a program that is 'accepted nationwide' - you will only find accredited nationwide programs. Sadly, the disparity of what states consider appropriate is awful. ISUs site (my previous post) has a map indicating where their program is accepted for RN licensure.

Excelsior is definately a money maker and that's it. I looked into them when I was looking for a LPN-BSN and you have to go through the College Network for books and stuff, and the cost is outrageous. It is all self guided study, and you pay for each test you have to take. Places like this need to be shut down. OP, where do you live?

Excelsior is definately a money maker and that's it. I looked into them when I was looking for a LPN-BSN and you have to go through the College Network for books and stuff, and the cost is outrageous. It is all self guided study, and you pay for each test you have to take. Places like this need to be shut down. OP, where do you live?

Just a clarification, You DO NOT need to go through the College Network for Excelsior. In fact Excelsior College specifically states to NOT go through the college network and has no affiliation (despite what TCN reps may tell prospective students) "In response to numerous inquiries from students, Excelsior College wants to clarify that it is in no way associated with The College Network (TCN) its subsidiaries, affiliates, agents, or partners. Excelsior does not promote, endorse, or approve TCN's products or services. Excelsior College provides its students with all of the resources and support necessary to successfully complete its degree programs, especially the Associate degree in nursing. For assistance or further information, please contact an Excelsior College advisor at 888-647-2388." About Test Preparation Services - excelsior.edu

The books needed for Excelsior are recommended and the study guides are provided by Excelsior at no cost. Yes you pay for each exam, but you pay for each course when you go through a traditional brick & mortar school. As with any other school, a prudent student can locate alternate sources for the text books that are more economical (whether it is renting the books or purchasing used or older volumes)

There is no online, self-study, or distance education program that accepted nationwide. However, the reputable schools will inform you up front if the program is accepted by the board of nursing in your state of residence. Neither Indiana State University nor Excelsior College's LPN-RN programs are accepted in all 50 states. Some states have additional requirements, such as specific coursework or clinical preceptorships.

For Excelsior the information is here: State Board Requirements - excelsior.edu Alaska does not have additional requirements for Excelsior graduates to obtain an initial RN license.

According to ISU, Alaska also recognizes the LPN-BSN program. However there IS a relationship between Indiana State University and the College Network. http://www.indstate.edu/lpn-bs/images/icons/states-that-recognize-isu-lpn-bs.gif

Good luck in your educational endeavors.

Just a clarification, You DO NOT need to go through the College Network for Excelsior. In fact Excelsior College specifically states to NOT go through the college network and has no affiliation (despite what TCN reps may tell prospective students) "In response to numerous inquiries from students, Excelsior College wants to clarify that it is in no way associated with The College Network (TCN) its subsidiaries, affiliates, agents, or partners. Excelsior does not promote, endorse, or approve TCN's products or services. Excelsior College provides its students with all of the resources and support necessary to successfully complete its degree programs, especially the Associate degree in nursing. For assistance or further information, please contact an Excelsior College advisor at 888-647-2388." About Test Preparation Services - excelsior.edu

The books needed for Excelsior are recommended and the study guides are provided by Excelsior at no cost. Yes you pay for each exam, but you pay for each course when you go through a traditional brick & mortar school. As with any other school, a prudent student can locate alternate sources for the text books that are more economical (whether it is renting the books or purchasing used or older volumes)

There is no online, self-study, or distance education program that accepted nationwide. However, the reputable schools will inform you up front if the program is accepted by the board of nursing in your state of residence. Neither Indiana State University nor Excelsior College's LPN-RN programs are accepted in all 50 states. Some states have additional requirements, such as specific coursework or clinical preceptorships.

For Excelsior the information is here: State Board Requirements - excelsior.edu Alaska does not have additional requirements for Excelsior graduates to obtain an initial RN license.

According to ISU, Alaska also recognizes the LPN-BSN program. However there IS a relationship between Indiana State University and the College Network. http://www.indstate.edu/lpn-bs/images/icons/states-that-recognize-isu-lpn-bs.gif

Good luck in your educational endeavors.

Ah, great info! TCN isn't the most informing company, I think they just want you to sign up by telling you a bunch of you know what. I don't understand how businesses are allowed to get away with this stuff.

I do not believe Indiana State has any official affiliation with College Network either. They are a state school - and this would be highly unlikely. More CN lies, I suppose.

I do not believe Indiana State has any official affiliation with College Network either. They are a state school - and this would be highly unlikely. More CN lies, I suppose.

ISU DOES have a relationship with TCN. You can see it here: http://www.indstate.edu/nursing/pdfs/testing-program-docs/nursing-challenge-exam-instructions.pdf

"You purchase the four CSM’s from TCN (The College Network 1-800-395-3276), but take the exams through ISU on ISU’s Blackboard website. The four Challenge Exams are N106, N224, N328, and N330. If you do not pass an exam on your first attempt, you will be required to show proof of purchase of the relevant CSM from TCN to Carol Layton before your second attempt of the exam."

You are required to purchase the "CSM"(customized study modules) from TCN if you do not pass an exam on the first attempt. You are not required to purchase the modules for your first attempt.

I do not believe Indiana State has any official affiliation with College Network either. They are a state school - and this would be highly unlikely. More CN lies, I suppose.

ISU DOES have a relationship with TCN. You can see it here: http://www.indstate.edu/nursing/pdfs/testing-program-docs/nursing-challenge-exam-instructions.pdf

"You purchase the four CSM's from TCN (The College Network 1-800-395-3276), but take the exams through ISU on ISU's Blackboard website. The four Challenge Exams are N106, N224, N328, and N330. If you do not pass an exam on your first attempt, you will be required to show proof of purchase of the relevant CSM from TCN to Carol Layton before your second attempt of the exam."

You are required to purchase the "CSM"(customized study modules) from TCN if you do not pass an exam on the first attempt. You are not required to purchase the modules for your first attempt.

I stand corrected and chastised. And I am glad to hear that all one must do is buy some study guides. I never hear anyone say much good about CN - plus - I had an acquaintance who worked for them and he was a pretty shady character.

the study guides aren't cheap (much more expensive than text books from what I understand. The estimate was approx $600-$800 per 'customized study module' in 2011 when I sat through a 'presentation' by a TCN rep) , but it is my understanding that because ISU is a state school they cannot require you to purchase customized study guide unless you fail an exam. So the key is don't fail. There are many resources available to use when preparing for a CLEP or nursing exam. The key is learning how to find them.

The rep I encountered was rather slick and was a prime example of each type of linguistic double speak I learned when I took a syntax and linguistic course in college years ago. Very difficult to get a direct, accurate answer. He implied they had a direct affiliation with Excelsior (which they do not, and have been formally notified that they must stop implying and/or stating that there is a relationship between TCN & Excelsior). It was a very entertaining presentation to sit through to say the least.

Online, self-study, and distance education is NOT for everyone. You must be self-disciplined and motivated and be able to accountable for your own actions (or in-actions). There is support available, but not in the same way as in person classroom style. Some people thrive in self-directed learning and do very well. Others need the structure and regimen of a classroom setting. The key is knowing which type of learner you are.