Distance Learning System Indiana

lvnandmomx3 · Feb 29, 2008

Ok, I've posted about DLSI before but I'm wondering something. It seems that all the publishing companies referred to here send you study guides, you study on your own and go take the EC tests, right??? I'm looking into their online program. Each class has a start and end date, you study their information (and other info if you choose), take their practice tests and then take the EC course. They say that their people go and take the EC tests and make their study guides from that. I guess I like the idea of the start and end. Anybody have any thoughts on this? Anyone ever do this??? I know it costs more money but it seems like the benefits outweigh the cost. For myself, I think the set schedule will benefit me more than just study on my own and take the tests. A paramedic I work with (i am one also) is studying EC directly, on his own, and it seems like he's been doing this FOREVER. Thanks in advance!!!

Indiana state university online lvn to bsn is different from Excelsior College they are not affiliated with each other. For ISU you study on your own for your pre and co rec's and then test out either by clep, dantes or EC. There are three different phases Phase I the test outs of general, phase II test out of 4 csm through ISU, and phase III online nursing classes via the internet through ISU and clinicals.You have to be an LVN for ISU.

EC opperates differently ( I only know limited info from reading boards as EC is not an option for me) you need generals and can take clep dantes or ec test outs for credit. Your nursing courses are in the form of Concepts (not sure how many) you self study and test out, there are not any hands on clinical for this program, there is a 2day skill test at the end that is pass or fail. Maybe someone doing this program can fill you in more with the specifics that I did not mention or know.I am not sure who is elegible for EC.

pamedic20013 · Mar 1, 2008

Thanks for your post. DLSI is not affiliated with ISU. They are one of the publishing companies with a couple different ways to go via EC. They have the standard give you the information and you study it yourself stuff and the other way is online. You basically go to class over the web. For example Sociology starts the end of march. I will log in, get assignments, take tests, etc. I will communicate with instructors and other students. At the end of four weeks I will take a test. They say if you score 85% or better you are prepared for the EC exam. All their classes are this way. Like I said before, I'm aware of the costs but for me I think it's the best way to go. I'm just curious if there are any others out there who have done it the online way. Thanks :paw:

Nursingchicka21 · Mar 1, 2008

i use DLSI but i actually attend classes everyweek with an instructor down here in Florida. Honestly i really regret now that i signed up with them. Most of the teachers read straight out of the tutorial which I can sit at home and do but signed a contract so a little too late now.

TexnMedic · Mar 2, 2008

i use DLSI but i actually attend classes everyweek with an instructor down here in Florida. Honestly i really regret now that i signed up with them. Most of the teachers read straight out of the tutorial which I can sit at home and do but signed a contract so a little too late now.

I completely agree. I am in the same boat. I wish I would have just bought the books. The tutorials are worthless in my opinion. They got me for $8,000! :cry:

pamedic20013 · Mar 2, 2008

Hey Texan, just curious, are they only providing you with study materials or are you actually doing their online classes? I think there's a big difference. I would agree with you if all DSL provided you with some papers to study for the EC tests. I believe the online program I'm starting is different. They have 2 programs, I believe

#1 - they send you study guides, you study and then go to a testing site and take the EC test. You study the guides as long as you want and when you feel comfortable

#2 - you enroll in their online school, have "class" with instructors, etc and other classmates, take tests, have assignments, etc. It is a structured layed out course. for example, 4 weeks for Sociology, 10 weeks for A&P, 8 weeks for psyche. Just like "semesters" per course

I think some of you may not be quite sure about what I'm asking about. Like I said before, if you sign on with EC, you get guides, study and take the test when you want. DLS has their guides which if that's all I was getting I'd agree, why buy their guides when you can get them from EC and from ebay, etc. Thanks!

TexnMedic · Mar 2, 2008

I have their study guides and attend their "classes" in person. Their classes have start and finish dates. All NC classes are six weeks and eight to ten weeks for A&P and Micro. We do not have assignments other than reading the chapter before class and finishing the questions at the end of each chapter. There are no tests or quizzes. I thought the structured start and finish dates would help me as well and I just became more or less agitated with the classes due to teh instructors reading the outline, which you already read, word for word. There was no teaching. They call the classes tutorials. I just think you should save the money on the classes if they are like the ones I have gone to. I am trying to finish up quicker than their schedule will allow me and they will not send me my books quick enough. The only way they send my books is if I am enrolled in their classes.

If I would have done some research, I would have just gotten the study guides off of Ebay and done them that way. I am doing NC1-NC7 with DLS. I have taken NC1-NC3 with Excelsior and passed. I will finish NC4-NC7 with DLS and Excelsior. I also paid for Micro and A&P but I think I am going to take those at the local CC. Its alot of information and I want those classes to transfer towards a BSN at a local University. I could care less about NC1-NC7 transferring. I hope that helped.

lvnandmomx3 · Mar 2, 2008

Thanks for your post. DLSI is not affiliated with ISU. They are one of the publishing companies with a couple different ways to go via EC. They have the standard give you the information and you study it yourself stuff and the other way is online. You basically go to class over the web. For example Sociology starts the end of march. I will log in, get assignments, take tests, etc. I will communicate with instructors and other students. At the end of four weeks I will take a test. They say if you score 85% or better you are prepared for the EC exam. All their classes are this way. Like I said before, I'm aware of the costs but for me I think it's the best way to go. I'm just curious if there are any others out there who have done it the online way. Thanks :paw:

Ok so they are like TNC but insteadof self study modules you do mini classes. I'm sorry I misunderstood.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Mar 2, 2008

Like I said before, if you sign on with EC, you get guides, study and take the test when you want. DLS has their guides which if that's all I was getting I'd agree, why buy their guides when you can get them from EC and from ebay, etc. Thanks!

I'd try studying on your own first for at least one exam before dropping a big chunk of change on a third-party publisher ... you might find that you do just fine without their guides or tutorials, and save yourself a lot of money in the long run.

sflnurse · Mar 6, 2008

I have a friend that started with Career Learning Centers in Ft. Lauderdale and she just got a B in her first nursing exam. She said that the instruction is great and that it is just enough structure to keep her on track. I am also considering switching to this place. Here is their website if you want to consider switching. I think they may work with people who are not happy with their current program.

Good luck to us all!!

www.careerlearningcenters.com

Groovix · Aug 25, 2008

re: career learning center in fort lauderdale

hello folks, i am an lpn also trying to complete my lpn to rn through excelsior college. i felt that self-studing, for me, was tougher than expected, due to work hours and time constraints, blah, blah, blah. i needed structure and organization, so i joined clc in ft. lauderdale after another lpn recommended them to me. long story short; after a month and a half, all i can think of is, "how stupid of me!" :stone. all the so-called tutors do is actually copy the modules from the texts, etc, and flash-read them back as you try to follow. i had to actually complain about one tutor whom did nothing more than provided dark, poor, out-of-order copies of powerpoint style modules in font sizes 5 or 6, i kid you not. absolutely no tutoring, instruction or assistance whatsoever with anything, no follow-ups with progress or comprehension.....in short, i ought to have also looked at my options and researched more and not fork over 9k, yes, i admit it, i 've been suckered out of $9000:banghead:. am i a fool:jester:? yes, but also human. see, what reeled me in, hook, line and sinker, was their selling of ec's cpne failure rate due to lpns not knowing what is expected of them. i know some lpns have failed the cpne once or twice, so i though :bluecry1: ,..........now, i've also found not one, but several cpne clinics or workshops available throughout the usa! one, highly regarded, is in san jose, ca, go to;cheeducation.com, the cost of the workshop is about $600 and you do it in 5 days to get all the practice you'll need. i am signing up when i know my cpne date. you don't have to pick this workshop there are others, just search under cpne workshops on the net. my point here is not to sell anything, but folks, there are publishing companies out there preying on folks like us,(lpns). beware of careerlearningcenter or anything similar................................... :no:

caramel660 · Sep 28, 2008

Totally agree with you. I completed my CPNE in August of this year and I was warned prior to beginning the Excelsior program (thank GOD) against these publishing companies. Folks have to realize that Excelsior offers all of the resources needed to get through their program, YOU just have to have the drive to stick with it and be the type of person who is self motivated and directed. I completed the entire program in 9 months and that includes the four months I spent waiting for my CPNE. The CPNE was nowhere near as bad as I had been hearing (I tested in Utica, NY) and the CA and Examiners were pretty nice.

Also Excelsior sell a video for about $150 with the follow along study guide. I didn't do any workshops because I couldn't afford (four kids and paying for classes at BCC), but the DVD was extremely helpful and the Clinical Associate I got was on the video (go figure!)

Anyway, hope this helps to give even more drive and motivation to those out there trying to get through the EC program and looking for a little direction. By the way, in response to the orginal message, I live in North Dade (Miami) so I KNOW what publishing company you were dealing with.

Caramel660