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

caliotter3 · Feb 20, 2009

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.

I think that a publishing company that writes contracts for overpriced study guides, will tell a prospective sucker anything to get another contract. Since when does a publishing company obtain clinical sites and preceptors? None of the people in the ISU program have ever posted here that The College Network provided their clinical site and preceptor. Reminding potential students that one does not have to sign any contracts with TCN in order to do the ISU program. But you do have to arrange for your own clinical site and preceptor, from the ground up, if there are no current clinical sites in your area.

BuddahNature · Feb 20, 2009

I think that a publishing company that writes contracts for overpriced study guides, will tell a prospective sucker anything to get another contract. Since when does a publishing company obtain clinical sites and preceptors? None of the people in the ISU program have ever posted here that The College Network provided their clinical site and preceptor. Reminding potential students that one does not have to sign any contracts with TCN in order to do the ISU program. But you do have to arrange for your own clinical site and preceptor, from the ground up, if there are no current clinical sites in your area.

I totally agree with you. I think it would be better to contact ISU directly.I would tread carefully with them though because they supposedly work hand in hand with College Networks. In either case I say get lawyered up before signing on the dotted line.

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Feb 20, 2009

Whoa, is the OP a Californian? EC is NOT the way to go and, in this instance, TCN is, for ISU.

caliotter3 · Feb 21, 2009

There are people who have posted on this site that they are doing the ISU program without TCN.

BuddahNature · Feb 21, 2009

Hi..I've been back & forth & back again wondering if signing with TCN is the best thing for me to do at this point in time..of course the no wait list, at your own pace on your time is very attractive..I'm a F/T employed LVN, single mother of 3 living in sunny OC, CA..well we have enjoyed some rain the last 3 days..our economy sucks & beautiful Cali Caliente is broke as a joke right now..I obviously can't afford to quit my job or cut my hours to P/T..I know TCN is just the middle man...how can I cut them out? Do I have to go through TCN to get into ISU? I've also read that going through TCN doesn't necessarily guarantee my acceptance to ISU..I believe that ISU is the only distance learning program accredited by the BRN & accepted in my state..I love the testing out idea...do I really need them to do this? I've only completed a couple of pre-reqs..if the nursing shortage is so bad, why does this have to be so complicated? All the traditional college nursing programs also make it very clear that you cannot work F/T and be in the nsg program..and suggest working no more than 15 hrs/wk...uh..reality check people...if anyone has any advise/answers...please help..:smackingf:confused:

I have recently used this forum to read multiple posts anout TCN anf ISU. I was already strongly leaning toward Excelsior College,and after reading umpteen posts about TCN and ISU,I am now 1000% sure I have made the right choice for me. It sounds wonderful to get a BSN but doing things in stages,works for me. I took a look at the course content for ISU,and I do not believe at least not for me,that I would obtain a BSN in 4 semesters.I want to get my RN within 2 years,and make more money,and have a chice of more positions open to me. Now given my present circumstancesit would take me at least 4 years to get thru ISU. Also.I would not want to go through a program like ISU,which is much more expensive and time consuming,and also has the same problems as Excelsior.in that it is not recognized in some states. Any BSN I get must be recognized,in every state of the union, after investing so much time and money.I like to deal with and prepare myself for the worst case scenario. Let's say for instance, when I get my RN from Excelsior,it continues to be accepted in my state,but due to an unfortunate change of events,Excelsior is not acceptable to the majority of the state BON,and just so happens I maybe planning a move in the future to one of these states.I could easily deal with this situation by looking at my options for a brick and mortar school. I could choose to go to a brick and mortar RN program,and still continue to work as an RN. If I did a diploma program than I would continue on to a school that allows you to go from diploma to RN.Or I could seek a bachelors degree,in another major,and transfer into a nursing program,where you sek a second degree in nursing. I have no idea after putting in so much time, and money,with a program like ISU, how I could recover if most state board of nurses would not accept my 4 year BSN . I can move ahead with Excelsior in the worst case scenario with an ADN,and still continue to elevate myself,with a BSN from ISU you would have to do your BSN again,:oor go to an ADN program., or get a diploma.

When I read about TCN, the complaints about it were basically the same across the board. Those modules are very expensive,and most posters resorted to not signing on the dotted line,and instead went to E-bay, or found other sources to get needed study materials. There was a big caveat from poster after poster not to contract with TCN. My feeling is that many red flags go up in my mind when it comes to ISU. My goodness they use Excelsior,if I understand it correctly for the nursing component. My feeling is why not just go to Excelsior otherwise you are racking up exorbitant expenses for extra things like TCN,which is only a publishing company I also do not like the idea of having to find a clinical site , and a preceptor.I will stick with the structured CPNE,when the time comes for this. I have a lot of confidence in myself,and know with preparation, I can master the CPNE also,as those before me have done.. Also,I read a lot of posts and not one that I can recall where someone actually finished.In contrast,I read all the time about people passing the CPNE. :yeah: When I look at the two programs I feel the Excelsior students come out ahead because there is uniformity and standards with the CPNE. I will end here.

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Feb 21, 2009

Huh. I am almost certain that htere are some instances in which ISU requires that the student use TCN.

NC Girl BSN · Feb 21, 2009

When I was thinking about ISU, the admission people in at the school told me I had to go through TCN to complete 4 lower division nursing classes. That was the deciding factor along with the preceptorship. I worried about finding sites close to where I lived. EC just seemed less complicated but the program is not for everyone.

raiderz1973 · Feb 21, 2009

When I met with the 1st TCN rep, I distinctly remember him saying the prgm would be completed in 4 yrs. I'm from Cali, where Excelsior was once an accredited nsg prgm. Say you do sign with TCN/ISU and w/in those 4 yrs CA drops them too. Does that mean you're SOL? Taking the contract to a lawyer prior to signing is a really good idea!! I started looking into the traditional local prgms again. Maybe my prayers will be answered & I'll win the lotto or find me a sugar daddy & be able to take the time off work to be a F/T student. LOL!!

just kidding......:lol_hitti

caliotter3 · Feb 21, 2009

When the CA BRN made the decision to axe the EC program, those who were already enrolled as of a certain date were grandfathered in to allow them to finish. You can expect the same treatment but I would not rely on it. One should never procrastinate when it comes to any type of educational program. Dealing with changes that might come up can be difficult at best, and impossible at worst. I do not think that there will be a problem with the ISU program. If you read up on it, you will find that the CA BRN has supported it from the beginning. There is not currently a reason for them to take an opposing stance since clinical experience is included.

sgherzi4 · Feb 25, 2009

Hi all'

THANKS to caliotter3 for her priceless advice! I had an appointment tomorrow AM with a rep. (AKA salesman) from TCN..now going to cancel that appointment. I am going to just register with ISU on my own and test out without using TCN's pricey stuff. BTW..no clinical sites here in CA anyways, other than up north - Stockton - which is a 5-6 hr. drive for me as I live in the mountains above Bakersfield. I am just going to do enough of the gen. ed subjects to get me into a local college's ADN RN program; since in CA you are not compensated for having a BSN vs ADN degree anyway.

sgherzi4 · Feb 25, 2009

It seems that CA Board of Nursing is a real pain in the b*tt...one would think :hey - we have a nursing shortage; lets make it easier for those LVNs (whom we don't like anyway) to become "Real Nurses"; but NOOOO - they want to make it HARDER than every to accomplish this. I, too, have to work FULL TIME minimum of 60 hours a pay period (5 twelve hour shifts every two weeks) in order to keep benefits for myself and my family...maybe just easier to remain as an LVN; I make $30/hr where I work...prob. won't make much more as an RN after all the time and $$$$ I would invest...

raiderz1973 · Feb 25, 2009

Thats what I think....a few of my RN friends are making just a little more than me....I know that RN license would open so many more doors though!!