college network... I'm doing it

Nursing Students Online Learning

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I've seen a lot of different postings regarding college network and wanted to share my experience so far.

First I should mention that I live in a state that recognizes the ISU distance learning LPN-BSN RN program.

I signed up in March and told myself I would do one module a month. Hah! nope. Due to life, it's taking me longer. I'm back on track though and studying almost everyday. I tend to give myself one day a week where I do not study or work. Just a free day for lil ole me!

Do you need to go through the college network? No. ISU will you tell you that. There are some tests where you have to go to a testing center. These are your clep or dsst tests (haven't signed up for an excelsior college exam yet). If you are looking to save money you could purchase study materials for these tests and arrange to take them on your own. It's not like you have to have a contract with college network to take a clep or dsst.

Then there are the college network exams. Most of my exams are from college network and I can do from home with a video and microphone connection to a person who watches me take the test.

So far I have tested out of technical writing (dsst) and sociology (college network). I am waiting for my results on public speaking exam (dsst).

tip: if you need to take public speaking, either take it at a school or study A LOT on your own. The module from college network gave me a basic understanding but did not prepare me for the test. I also purchased a dsst study guide for public speaking. This also was not enough. That test is pretty weird and probably requires A LOT of references to do exceptional on it. If you are willing to take some classes in a college, this would be one to take. ISU has COMM 101- Intro to Communications listed as something you need before being accepted into the College of Nursing, Health, & Human Services and progessing to phase II.

I had some college classes from years ago that were accepted by ISU. I sent them my transcripts before signing up with college network to make sure they were approved. Right now I am working on only the prerequisites for entry into the nursing program. After that, I'd like to enroll into the online nursing classes with ISU and complete the rest of my modules at my own pace at the same time. Maybe during school breaks? Still thinking that one out...

I have five prerequisites left plus the remaining general education I need for a bachelor's degree.

Some of the modules are very helpful. I always seek further information online, though.

I am making monthly payments with an interest included plus the fee for each exam I take.

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I wish you the best with pursuing the BSN through TCN! :) My main concern is with the TCN courses/exams, are those credits (the ones received upon passing the TCN issued courses/exams) transferrable for MSN after completion of the ISU LPN-BSN program all together? I'm just curious as to what value do those courses/credits have in terms of furthering your education, especially because TCN is not an official school or degree granting institution. I am also interested in ISU's LPN-BSN program, I just wish I could use all CLEP/DSST/Excelsior exams to satisfy the general ed requirements.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

There is no reason to go through TCN, they are a publishing company & not a school. They have no affiliation with EC or ISU.

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My reason is so I can do it all online. ISU accepts the college network exams in addition to the clep and dsst:

(at the bottom of page 3)

http://www.indstate.edu/health/sites/health.indstate.edu/files/bnc-lpn-bs-program-summary.pdf

I do recommend doing the cleps and dsst without the college network (if you were to use them). You don't need to sign up with them to take those.

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I agree with your statement. But do you plan to continue on for MSN, after completing BSN through ISU? Will the credits earned from TCN have to be re-earned once you're at the point where you are seeking furthering your education? That's the only concern I have with earning some credits through TCN, the fact that they might not be honored at some institutions later down the road while pursing MSN or higher degrees.

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I'm not sure about pursuing a higher degree after with other institutions. It's likely (I have not checked into this yet) that it would be possible through ISU.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
I agree with your statement. But do you plan to continue on for MSN, after completing BSN through ISU? Will the credits earned from TCN have to be re-earned once you're at the point where you are seeking furthering your education? That's the only concern I have with earning some credits through TCN, the fact that they might not be honored at some institutions later down the road while pursing MSN or higher degrees.

You can't earn any credits from TCN. They are a publishing company who charges ridiculous amounts for study guides. TCN is not a school so they cannot grant degrees/credits/etc. Read the small print before signing on the dotted line with TCN. There are/have been lawsuits against TCN.

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