Morning everyone! I'm an LPN who came across these boards yesterday while reseaching information on becoming an RN through online/distance learning. I was on the phone so long yesterday with Distance Learning Systems Indiana Inc., The College Network and Excelsior that my portable phone died!
Each rep gave me tons of information, but all from their school's point of view. From what they told me and from what I've gleaned from briefly scanning various postings, I think going with Excelsior will be the thing for me. I'm hoping you can help me made the right choice and save me from wasting my time and making costly mistakes.
I am a 56-year-old nurse who graduated from LPN school just over 5 years ago. Before that I was a firefighter/EMT and then a police officer. Although I've only taked one college course (psych), I've actually been "in school" my entire adult life so I know how to study on my own.
Some questions I have are:
1) If I go with Excelsior, exactly what must I purchase (books, study guides, etc) to prepare for each test?
2) How much support does Excelsior provide when a student has questions or problems?
3) Once signed up, are you obligated to pay the entire cost of the course, even if you for some reason must "drop out"?
4) Are there other online/distance learning opportunities in addition to Excelsior that are reputatable? (Not study guide providers like The College Network)
5) Can you take your general ed classes in the order you choose or is that determined by Excelsior?
6) I graduated from LPN school five years ago this past May. Are any of the courses I took counted toward my degree?
I'm trying to get as many answers as possible before August 30th, when I'm to meet with our corporate reps to present my case for tuition assistance. I want to be prepared to explain how distance learning benefits me (because its faster) and for the company (because it costs less than a "traditional" nursing school.)
Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.
This is incorrect. ISU offers a distance LPN to BSN route. However, you must get your pre-classes via CC, Clep ,Dantes or EC. Some course are only offered by different ways of testing. Like the majority you can clep but some if not taken at a CC ,you must take by sitting for a dantes or EC test in that particular subject. Some classes are Junior level and the study guides come directly from the college network. There are 4 nursing courses you must test out of through ISU prior to entry to the program. Guess what, the college network is the only way you can get the study guides for the test. It is a whopping $2400 for the 4 guides. If you get the guides for the pre-classes you are looking at between $300-400 a piece. You make monthly payments to the college network to pay back the thousands of dollars you borrowed to cover these guides. My payment was $110 a month. Do you know how many diapers $110 will buy. This was the biggest mistake of my life (other than getting married). It might be ok if you go in with most of your classes done but DAMN, I spent alot of money foolishly... To the original poster... Make sure you think this over good before you sign. I highly recommend against it......There are other ways to get your degree at a fraction of the cost. Try EC or find a part time RN program somewhere.. Good luck
LPNtoRN - Just checked the Indiana State University site and the only nursing degree listed is RN to BSN. No mention of LPN to an associate's degree in nursing.
Am I looking at the wrong university or is the info I found correct - that ISU only offers BSN degrees for those who are already RN's?
Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.
One more thing . If you want to find out the info you must go to the ISU website and go to the nursing dept. Click on programs then LVN to BSN college network option.. It is something to that effect... Good luck
LPNtoRN - Just checked the Indiana State University site and the only nursing degree listed is RN to BSN. No mention of LPN to an associate's degree in nursing.
Am I looking at the wrong university or is the info I found correct - that ISU only offers BSN degrees for those who are already RN's?
Be careful when you read/hear such broad general statements such as "many states do not recognize EC" for RN licensure. There are half truths and sometimes altogether untrue statements here.
The fact is, the vast majority of states DO indeed recognize EC for RN licensure but that doesn't necessarily mean that I as a former graduate would recommend this program across the board to everyone.
I have lived in CA but never worked as a nurse there, but from what I've read on this website there are so many people against this program there and so much controversy over it that if you ever wanted to be a nurse in that state, I would not recommend that you go this route (nor could you if you didn't already enroll before the magic deadline), at least not until some of the fighting settles there. They seem crazy obsessed over people getting their RN's through EC and how wrong it is in their opinion (and their current state board's opinion as well but never mind that they allowed it for years and years but suddenly it's an issue now) because apparantly EC grads are hurting and killing people left and right there.
The Illinois comment, only part true. EC grads can endorse into IL after practicing as an RN for two years in another state and it is in plain English on their endorsement application on their state website but apparantly many IL nurses have never seen it because they continually post here that they are not recognized at all. Not true.
I lived out east for years and EC is a very popular way for LPN's to get their RN there and I worked with many with no problems either from hospitals or state boards. Same here in TX, no one has ever given me a hard time about it, every hospital I applied at was interested in me and very aware of the type of RN program I graduated from.
Kansas has also recently tried to follow CA's decision but they never gave anyone a deadline and were stuck with many students and graduates that they now have to deal with and they have had to revamp and modify their decision.
Isn't North Dakota the only state in the country that requires a BSN as minimum education for an RN? In other words, it doesn't matter what school you got your 2 year ASN from, EC or local community college,you can not work as an RN in North Dakota.
Also, in regards to Kansas, I beleive they ended up with those waiting to take boards for their state had to do clinical through a community college, which was arranged for them. If you move there you need to have a year or two of work experience as an RN in another state and you can endorse without a problem.
Hi Cindy, I am a nursing student going for my LPN. I live here in North Dakota. It had just been brought to our attention where I work that the North Dakota board of nursing does not recognize EC for their nursing program. I only mention this because you might want to check with your state nursing board or the nursing board of the state that you are wanting to work in before you go this route. :)
Thanks to each and everyone of you who've taken the time to reply to my query!
After absorbing all the info yu've provided, I'm leaning heavily toward enrollment in Excelsior, once I confirm Ohio will accept my degree. (Thanks for the heads up, willtm, RN34TX and nd_mom!).
If I'm correct, I could keep my EC costs down by purchasing used books, study guides, etc., from previous students (Thanks, srigg!) I would have to keep on top of what info I send EC and what they need to send to me, as well as be prepared to wait for a test date at a nearby location of my choosing. Right? (Thanks, SRiggRN320!)
If I took all my classes through EC, I won't have to deal with having EC accept or reject any previous credits. (Thanks jsteine1!) And if I bite the bullet, I could be done in a year or less. Right?
Kent State University has a branch nearby where I could get my RN BSN in the "conventional" mode. However, I don't want to be in school that long and certainly not with kids just out of high school again. Been there, done that. (No offense, but at my age I'm in school to learn and get out and am not in the least concerned with the current fashion, who's the cutest teacher/doctor/student or whether I have a date for the weekend.)
txspadequeen921 - I did go to the ISU siteyesterday and only found info for RN to BSN. I'll check again today or call them for info before I make any firm decisions about EC. (Spadequeen - On a personal note, I can certainly sympathize/empathize with your comment about marriage. Tried it a couple of times and each were huge mistakes so I have no desire or need to every attempt it again!!!)
Any additional comments, suggestions or warnings will all be reviewed, researched and appreciated!
[quote name=copnlpn2I was on the phone so long yesterday with Distance Learning Systems Indiana Inc., The College Network and Excelsior that my portable phone died!
[/quote]
I locked into a contract with DLSI myself. My total cost was a few grand. I was issued ragged textbooks that sold on half.com for a few bucks each Some of the classes didn't get a book at all but the price per unit was the same.
Study guides consist of one three-ring binder of the Wal-Mart variety. Some have review questions, some don't. Some have actual TEXT and some are just a group of like a thousand short essay questions. The Micro and A&P units consist of nothing but questions.
The study guides are absolutely full of misprints, bad spelling, and major grammatical errors. This doesn't seem like a big deal (especially since grammar has never been my strong point) until you start memorizing things that you may as well have made up.
Anyway as you can see I could rant about these people all day. :imbar
Many EC students seem to be against going with a publisher at all. I wouldn't if I had it to do over. I've definitely heard more complaints than praises. RUE eats a lot of dirt on the message boards and not too many people are even familiar with DLSI. Chancellors seems to have the better reputation out of the group, but that isn't to say it is all that great.
In the end I used some of the guides A LITTLE BIT, but my confidence in them was shattered from the beginning. Most of the tests I've taken I've studied for entirely with texts that were purchased off of the internet or Barnes&Noble and the EC outline (which is free).
If I took all my classes through EC, I won't have to deal with having EC accept or reject any previous credits. (Thanks jsteine1!) And if I bite the bullet, I could be done in a year or less. Right?
Cindy
Anyone suggesting to you EC's ASN program can be finished in less than a year is selling you a pipe dream. As I mentioned before, it really has nothing to do with how fast you take your tests. I finished all my tests in five months, but with mandatory waits and graduation dates from Excelsior it is taking me over a year just to graduate and I probably won't get an authorization to test for the NCLEX until the middle of December.
Also, just in case you might want to continue your education at another college, don't expect many, if any, of your EC credits to transfer. Most colleges will not accept the A&P and micro.
Anyone telling you that EC is not accepted in any state other than California is misinformed. The ONLY state not accepting EC graduates at all right now is California, though certain states (like Washington, Illinois and Georgia) have certain stipulations which must be met before you can get a license in their state.
FROGGYLEGS - Thanks! I'm glad I know how to surf the net and have been an eBay user for many years. Now I'll know where to look for my "own" textbooks and study guides.
Does anyone know if any of the textbooks or study guides ae published by McGraw-Hill? My sister works for MH and I could get what I need there at a discount.
LPNtoRN - Thanks for clarifying the time factor for me. I notice lots of things at my age and one of them is that time passes by very quickly. So a year and a few months won't be too long a wait for me to graduate. I just don't want to go the route of driving to classes, spring/Christmas break, cancelled classes, etc., so distance learning is more suitable for me.
Okay - give me an example. Let's say I'm already enrolled in Excelsior and want to take English Comp I and don't want to pay EC for any textbooks or study guides for the class. Approximately how much would I have to pay EC for the course? And when it comes time to test, do I pay EC for the test or do I schedule it independently at an approved test site and pay for it myself?
Hope you all don't tire of my endless questions. I just don't want to sign on the dotted line until I know I'm not being fed a line...
Anyone suggesting to you EC's ASN program can be finished in less than a year is selling you a pipe dream. As I mentioned before, it really has nothing to do with how fast you take your tests. I finished all my tests in five months, but with mandatory waits and graduation dates from Excelsior it is taking me over a year just to graduate and I probably won't get an authorization to test for the NCLEX until the middle of December.
Just to show the other side on this issue. I took my first NC test in October 2004, completed them all at the end of March, took the CPNE at the end of July and will be graduating from EC mid September. I anticipate taking boards in September. I had all pre reqs except information lit, which I took during the wait for the CPNE. As you can see, it can be done in a year:)
You can speed things up by being flexible and calling EC at every turn, be sure they got your paper work, ask where your paperwork is, has the study guide been sent and so forth...always pleasant, of course:) For the CPNE, I was willing to go anywhere and was offered a cancellation date in Albany.
It is true that EC A&P and micro are not transferrable, it's due to the lack of lab. If you think you want to go on for a BSN I suggest taking those through a brick and mortar school.
I had no trouble with EC accepting ANY of my previous courses, but they were all taken within the past 15 years.
willtm - Since I've only taken a pysch course (in additional to a zillion classes for various certifications and licenses over the past 30 years!) I would imagine that I would take somewhat longer than you to complete the entire course, right?
Even so, I study well and testing doesn't worry me because I love the challenge it presents. And except for work, there's nothing pressing right now in my life that would prevent me from devoting all my spare energy toward getting my RN degree (except my annual Caribbean cruises in October!).
Now if I can just get an few more things settled in my mind, I'll be ready for my Aug. 30 meeting with the corporate exec!
I'm concerned about folks doing their RN/Associates with Excelsior. As others have posted, they are out of favor, so to speak, with a number of state boards and that could get worse. I was born raised and educated in New York state, but eventually ended up in Texas, Florida and now Illinois. They key is to look at your career in the long term. Getting the RN quickly is very seductive, I understand that, but what if over the years, you find that your employment options due to endorsement licensing barriers are very limited outside of New York? You just never know where life is going to take you! I also was an LPN, Took and passed all the CLEPS and was able to complete a hospital based RN diploma program in 10 months. in 1975. Clinical classes and rotations during the day, the college courses at night. It was ROUGH! But oh so worth it and there have been no restrictions when I obtained licenses in other states. Just a thought.
jsteine1 - I can appreciate where you're coming from! But I don't think I will experience the same problems because I've done all the moving around the country that I plan to do. I'm wanting to get my RN degree not so much to work as an RN but to be able to get certifications in forensic nursing or legal nursing or wound care or something "more" and/or different than RN duties. The RN degree for me is more of a "means to an end."
Everywhere I turn there are things I would love to do, but in the medical field, trhey all say I have to be an RN to enroll. So my only alternative is to become an RN or leave the profession of nursing entirely and choose a different career path. It certainly wouldn't be the first time I've every done that in my life...insurance agent, newpaper editor, hospital central services director, firefighter/EMT, police officer, nurse. It's the challenge that draws me toward a job, more than anything else. Hope that doesn't make me sound like a poor nurse!
Believe me, I would never have posted on this board if I didn't intend to carefully consider every bit of information/advice I received. You've all been so very helpful...Thanks!
The Micro and A&P units consist of nothing but questions.
txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN
4,373 Posts
This is incorrect. ISU offers a distance LPN to BSN route. However, you must get your pre-classes via CC, Clep ,Dantes or EC. Some course are only offered by different ways of testing. Like the majority you can clep but some if not taken at a CC ,you must take by sitting for a dantes or EC test in that particular subject. Some classes are Junior level and the study guides come directly from the college network. There are 4 nursing courses you must test out of through ISU prior to entry to the program. Guess what, the college network is the only way you can get the study guides for the test. It is a whopping $2400 for the 4 guides. If you get the guides for the pre-classes you are looking at between $300-400 a piece. You make monthly payments to the college network to pay back the thousands of dollars you borrowed to cover these guides. My payment was $110 a month. Do you know how many diapers $110 will buy. This was the biggest mistake of my life (other than getting married). It might be ok if you go in with most of your classes done but DAMN, I spent alot of money foolishly... To the original poster... Make sure you think this over good before you sign. I highly recommend against it......There are other ways to get your degree at a fraction of the cost. Try EC or find a part time RN program somewhere.. Good luck