Distance Learning - I'm all ears....

caliotter3 · Feb 7, 2009

The best advice I can give you is to go to the website of EC, http://www.excelsior.edu, and thoroughly go through it. Register for and take the first nursing exam. Download a copy of the course outline from the webpage. Obtain the learning resources listed or obtain other learning resources (check out Excelsior College on ebay, mystudygroup and the files sections of various EC groups on Yahoo). Have your previous college work transcripts submitted to EC. Apply to EC. Notice that I didn't mention incurring a huge debt with The College Network. You don't need to sign up with them and spend extra thousands of dollars in order to do EC. You can buy The College Network's study guides used on ebay for a fraction of what they charge you if you feel you have to have their study guides. Read up on the many threads about Excelsior College in the distance forum. Good luck.

Ditch what I just typed. I reread your post and saw that you are in CA. Excelsior College is not presently accepted in CA. You may, however, be interested in the Indiana State University LVN to BSN program. Again, you do not have to use The College Network. Go to the website of ISU and you can get a listing of the pre and co requisite courses. Be mindful of the fact that you will need to either test out of courses or find a site to do clinicals at as well as a clinical preceptor. Back when I posted a thread looking for people in the LA area who were involved with this program to see where they were planning to do clinicals, I got no responses. So if you decide to do this, good luck again.

People have stated that indiv at ISU have directed them to take their questions to TCN. No. Take your courses locally or test out with CLEP, DANTES. Apply directly to ISU. Leave TCN and its associated large debt out of the picture.

raiderz1973 · Feb 7, 2009

Caliotter3....thank you...this advise does help & I knew I wouldn't have to go through TCN...I will definitely check this out!!!

By the way, did you find someplace to do your clinicals? Was finding a place difficult?

caliotter3 · Feb 7, 2009

I have not moved forward with ISU. I anticipate having a big problem with finding clinical sites and preceptors. An individual from this site PMd me and said she is planning on going to several facilities for this purpose. Haven't heard back. I am looking into other options for school. I don't want to get caught up in something I can't finish. If I did decide to go with ISU, I imagine I would try to test out of as many courses as possible to attempt to avoid the problems. If some people start doing the program, then clinical sites will be set up with the school and that will make it easier for others to do this.

changeofpaceRN · Feb 7, 2009

Contact ISU and talk to an admissions rep, they are very helpful. I considered them but in the end, it all came down to cost. I went with Excelsior but from your post, it sounds like you live in CA and an Excelsior degree is not accepted there. I wouldn't go through the middle man like TCN or anything when you can do it all yourself and buy used study guides on ebay.

NC Girl BSN · Feb 8, 2009

I understand what your saying. I too considered ISU before Excelsior and when I called ISU they told me to go through TCN to place out of the 4 lower division classes. I have all my other prerequisites. I did not like the idea of going through them so I decided to do Excelsior. You will not be able to get into ISU until you complete phase one. If I were you, I would take the exams through Excelsior to complete phase one of the ISU program. I am not sure if the Anatomy classes will transfer but everything else should. Good Luck to you in whatever you decide.

GingerSue · Feb 13, 2009

This is not to refer to any specific distance learning program,

but it is my present experience that the arrangements for

a preceptor and clinical have become an uncertainty, while

I have completed all the pre-requisite courses and paid for

all tuition fees for this distance learning program.

Now I'm sitting wondering & waiting for an indefinite time.

The school has taken my tuition fees. My marks are very good.

But without that last clinical with a preceptor - can't graduate,

can't register.

PiperLPN · Feb 13, 2009

Do you have to take the CPNE at the end? That's the scariest part of all this, for me. Thanks.

caliotter3 · Feb 13, 2009

This is not to refer to any specific distance learning program,
but it is my present experience that the arrangements for
a preceptor and clinical have become an uncertainty, while
I have completed all the pre-requisite courses and paid for
all tuition fees for this distance learning program.
Now I'm sitting wondering & waiting for an indefinite time.
The school has taken my tuition fees. My marks are very good.
But without that last clinical with a preceptor - can't graduate,
can't register.

This is the the reason I haven't gone with ISU. I also read another post somewhere on this site about someone who completed everything then had to abandon a program because they couldn't find a preceptor and site and the school would do nothing to assist. Money down the drain. The school knows up front that they won't assist the student with a preceptor/site, yet they take the student's money anyway.

caliotter3 · Feb 13, 2009

Do you have to take the CPNE at the end? That's the scariest part of all this, for me. Thanks.

What program are you referring to? The CPNE is the capstone experience for Excelsior College. ISU has clinical placements throughout and no clinical "testing" requirement.

PiperLPN · Feb 13, 2009

That's a heck of alot less stressful than the CPNE w/Excelsior. I just have to check to see if Delaware accepts ISU, I don't think so. I live in Delaware but may someday go back to California. CA accepts ISU but not EC. Thanks for your reply.

BuddahNature · Feb 20, 2009

This is the the reason I haven't gone with ISU. I also read another post somewhere on this site about someone who completed everything then had to abandon a program because they couldn't find a preceptor and site and the school would do nothing to assist. Money down the drain. The school knows up front that they won't assist the student with a preceptor/site, yet they take the student's money anyway.

Today, I spoke with an "advisor" from the College Network. I asked specifically about finding a clinical site and a preceptor.I was told if unable to find a preceptor,and clinical site,they can provide both to me.I asked if they would put this in writting,was told, 'Yes" that it is written into the contract.I was just on a fact finding mission, today. My plans are to go with Excelsior,however if I were to change my mind,before signing anything I would feel compelled to see a lawyer,especially after hearing your experience. If I was in your shoes, I would take my contract to a lawyer, to see if you are in fact entittled to have the school,find you both a clinical site and a preceptor.