distance programs

[Betty_SPN_KS, LPN]

I'm an LPN student going to school in McPherson. It's really busy and intense, and sometimes I wonder if I'll know my own name by the time I'm done in May. My 40th birthday will be in a few weeks. I would like to be a RN someday, but my family can't handle me going to school fulltime another year right now.

What about those distance LPN-to-RN programs (such as Rue and Excelsior). Does Kansas accept them? How do-able are they?

[CraigB-RN, MSN, RN]

Yes Kansas excepts Excelsior (regents). I know many flight nurses whoe were paramedics who got their ADN through Excelsior. Myself included, many years ago.

[Betty_SPN_KS, LPN]

Thanks, Craig. Can you tell me what Excelsior is like?

[New Castle Ken]

Originally posted by Betty_SPN_KS

I'm an LPN student going to school in McPherson. It's really busy and intense, and sometimes I wonder if I'll know my own name by the time I'm done in May. My 40th birthday will be in a few weeks. I would like to be a RN someday, but my family can't handle me going to school fulltime another year right now.

What about those distance LPN-to-RN programs (such as Rue and Excelsior). Does Kansas accept them? How do-able are they?

I don't know of any distance LPN to RN program available except Excelsior College. Please be aware that advertisements like Rue and others are not the programs or the college at all, but merely provide study materials. Several companies advertise like they are associated or approved by Excelsior, but they are not. Some students feel that the materials offered by Rue and others are helpful but other students say that the study material that Excelsior recommends is all that is needed. The companies that provide materials outside Excelsior are expensive and you must sign a contract. Good luck.

[Betty_SPN_KS, LPN]

A guy in my class told me the clinical exam has a 90% fail rate. Is that true? What is the best way to prepare?

[CraigB-RN, MSN, RN]

the rumour about 90% fail rate is an urban legand. It is true that it is very hard, especially for those withought much inpatient experience.

Regents/Excelsior is totally up to you. There is no one asking questions or giving you homework to do. You have a study guide and a text book and the rest is up to you. The tests are very dooable and everyone has a different timeline. I know people who were able to pull off 2 test a month and others took a test every few months, it all up to you and your study habits/patterns.

I"m currently a Dirctor of Nurisng and have a couple of my LPN's enrolled in the program. I support it fully and I don't know of anyone in Kansas who has had a problem If the did, it was because they already had a track record as an LPN or Paramedic.

Think hard about your study habits and abilities. Some people require the formal classroom. Try taking one of the exams first and then decide.