Help!

Do you want a BSN or ASN?

I was about to ask the same question as JustBeachyNurse. If you want a BSN, the time would probably be equal in either one, given the changes that EC has made with their ASN program. The difference is that I believe ISU goes directly into BSN courses before issuing their degree (at least, that's how it was when I was considering ISU), whereas with Excelsior, you would need to be a licensed RN before entering into theirs.

Hello Abrooke22!

I am new to this forum, but I suggest you speak directly with the Academic/Admissions Advisors at ISU and Excelsior so that you have a complete roadmap, i.e. your options, what courses will be accepted, how long it will take to complete courses/test, transfer eligibility of credits earned, costs, etc. Only the staff at the schools you are interested in attending can give you the most realistic time frame and requirements for completion. For instance, you might have the option at Excelsior to earn 'credit by exam' for those science credits instead of taking an actual course, which may help you advance more quickly to your RN. However, depending on how much time it takes to complete those Excelsior Science credits, the older credits you have from 8 years ago may move past their expiration date for acceptance at ISU (should you wish to continue on to your BSN), and it may be possible that the Science credits you earn at Excelsior are not accepted at ISU. So I think it is really important that you get detailed information from both colleges so that you can make a fully informed decision.

If you are working with a company like The College Network, my experiences with them is that you should run as far away from their advice and materials as possible. They can't tell you what will and will not be accepted as credits, only the receiving school has that judgment. I learned that lesson the hard way. So I can only encourage you to go directly to the degree granting institution for ALL of the information you require before making a decision.

Some other things to consider are the clinical components for each program. Excelsior is a 2 1/2 day, Indiana is a more in depth preceptor guided clinical. Both ISU and Excelsior degrees do have limitations in some states, so this is another factor to consider in your decision.

I understand it is confusing. In many ways, choosing a Nursing program was far more difficult for me than attending and completing a nursing program. But the more information you have to help make you the choice, the better.

I did the LPN-BSN program at ISU in 2005. Even already having a bachelors, it still took me 3 years. I was ok with that because I wanted a BSN. It really depends on your final goals.

how much does this program cost? just an estimate.I only have and English, sociology and psychology so I would still need most classes.