Do you regret getting your LPN-BSN or RN online

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Hi. I just graduated and waiting(anxiously) to take the NCLEX. I heard and researched TCN and Indiana State University. The program sounds good. But, if you had to do it all over again, would you have gotten your RN online or in class? Do you miss being in class everyday? Do you feel that you're missing out on clinicals or get a better clinical experience?

Wow, so Michigan has some hospitals that specifically won't hire EC grads? That's a new one to me!

I got hired at a hospital yesterday and asked the nursing manager what she thought, and this is what she said. She said that her only worry was that 'online' (I know it's not online but she kept referring to it as that) programs wouldn't be able to teach you critical thinking.

I told her that since being an LVN I have worked in Med/Surg, and ICU continuously because I wanted to get tons of skills--and critical thinking had always been one of them. So, when all ways said and done I asked her if she had an Excelsior grade come in, who had been an LVN/LPN for a couple years before-- would she hire them? She nodded her head and said "yes" :-).

So, I am curious which hospitals are saying that you HAVE to have the extra clinical experience? Working as an LVN in the hospitals, at least here in Texas, there are almost no differences between LVN and RN except that they can hang blood, do initial 'hanging' of TPN, and push some cardiac drugs LVN's cannot push. Am I forgetting anything? :typing

Dave

I have 3 major hospitals in my Grand Rapids, MI metro area, and they as a general rule do not hire Excelsior grads. Part of their thought process is that they want to "keep it local" as well. There is 1 CC program cranking out RN's; but when I looked into getting into that, it was a 7 year wait list. In addition to that, there are numerous BSN programs. I can think of 5 at the moment, but I believe there are even more. They want to hire local grads first. The hospital that posts for RN's to have completed x amount of clinical hours, even posts they "prefer BSN's." I know a couple BSN's that are freaking out and are pursuing their MSN's because they're afraid their BSN won't be good enough. So, needless to say, there are minimal hospital opportunities for LPN's in my area. The CC program FINALLY laddered this year (9 years too late for me!). I have a feeling LPN's are going to be extinct in West Michigan eventually.

I'm considering getting into the hospital system through the backdoor. i.e. they are affiliated with long term care and homecare companies. I would think if I could get in with one of them, I could eventually do an internal transfer and they may not "investigate" the education too much.

I keep hearing everyone say "Oh, it doesn't matter, people don't care where you went to school." From what I hear, it's one of the first questions asked in interviews here.

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Specializes in Psych, LTC, Acute Care.

I keep hearing everyone say "Oh, it doesn't matter, people don't care where you went to school." From what I hear, it's one of the first questions asked in interviews here.

Thats too bad. I wish you luck in finding a job in spite of all the restrictions.

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Specializes in Skilled care, Psych.

I'm an LPN looking to continue my education online because I will be relocating from Illinois to Georgia during school. I have found that EC is not accepted as an endorsement there which is a bummer. Am I stuck with TCN/ISU?

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Curious that you said "stuck" - have you looked at https://allnurses.com/distance-learning-nursing/indiana-state-university-365874.html - sounds like ISU is decent option - at least some like it???

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Home Health.

I just passed my NCLEX-RN and completed my RN degree with less than a year. I was an LPN for 7 years. I went through Excelsior and no I HAVE NO REGRETS . Although, the program isn't for everyone, you have to be self disciplined to do it! But with working full time and being a mother full time I went to school full time also and did it in a year flat. :yeah:

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Specializes in Certified Diabetes Educator.

I don't regret doing my RN through Excelsior. I have not had a problem getting a job either. I hate sitting in a classroom and hearing a teacher lecture. Just give me the info and let me learn it. Classroom is boring. Someone asked me at work about all those clinicals I didn't have..........I had been a LVN/LPN for 14 years. Just what could more clinicals teach me? What I needed to know for the CPNE was "BEST PRACTICE" and I didn't need to go to some other hospital and take 1-2 patients to review "BEST PRACTICE". I needed to know best practice and do best practice at my job each day.

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Specializes in Skilled care, Psych.
Curious that you said "stuck" - have you looked at https://allnurses.com/distance-learning-nursing/indiana-state-university-365874.html - sounds like ISU is decent option - at least some like it???

I didn't mean for it to sound like a bad thing. I was just wondering if it is the only option that i have. I'm reallywondering if anyone else has gone through ISU and how long did it take... what were the good/ bad aspects

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I don't regret doing my RN through Excelsior. I have not had a problem getting a job either. I hate sitting in a classroom and hearing a teacher lecture. Just give me the info and let me learn it. Classroom is boring. Someone asked me at work about all those clinicals I didn't have..........I had been a LVN/LPN for 14 years. Just what could more clinicals teach me? What I needed to know for the CPNE was "BEST PRACTICE" and I didn't need to go to some other hospital and take 1-2 patients to review "BEST PRACTICE". I needed to know best practice and do best practice at my job each day.

Well said. As they say, you hit the proverbial nail on the head. I agree.

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Specializes in ER and family advanced nursing practice.

the online option has been an immensely positive thing for me. i began my online adn to msn program when my son was 4 months old. i have been able to spend way more time with him as a result. he is three now, and we have bonded quite well. the online experience has also helped with work. although still troublesome at times, my work schedule difficulties are greatly reduced. this past year has been difficult because of my clinical schedule, but that only makes me that much more happy that i am not juggling a classroom schedule as well.

of course there are all the benefits that online and brick/mortar offer: higher learning, more opportunities, and increased career knowledge. my one complaint is the expense, but that seems to be mitigated these days by the growing number of public/state schools offering online options.

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