ICHS 2022

londonflo · May 12, 2022

4 hours ago, Trlyons_LVN said:

Fulltime work is impossible.

Please, please do not switch to a non-nursing accredited program in Florida. There is a reason ICHS is nursing accredited. You need to have classes correspond with clinical. And you need a school that provides a thorough education.....and not one where you teach yourself.

LVNnurse77 · May 12, 2022

3 hours ago, nea415 said:

When did they stop experimental credit? I just spoke to them 2 weeks ago and they said they offer that. I also have been licensed since 2006.
was the test hard to skip the bridge part?
I've primarily worked in specialty so I’m rusty on overall nursing skills. They said if I pass it will take one year.

I was told the same, no more credit for being a nurse will be given as pandemic is over

LVNnurse77 · May 12, 2022

On 3/31/2022 at 10:21 PM, Christina Curto said:

I wanted to come back and make notes my experience so far.

Hi there! The group was getting overwhelmed with requests from prospective students so we had to close it off to our cohort's students BUT I did write a little summary of my experience so far. I hope this helps! Please feel free to PM me with any other questions you might have!

-------------------

Please note: We are only a little over a month into the first semester and I am only in the Pharmacology portion since I took the APA and tested out of the Fundamentals portion. With this in mind, please know that I can only speak to my experience so far and relay information I've been told from former students or other students in my class. Things could change so please use this as general knowledge!

Regarding APA test; if you are an LVN/LPN/LPT DO IT! I thought it was pretty easy, I only spent a few weeks studying. I thought the Pharm questions were easy too so I was surprised! I studied using an ATI Fundamentals NCLEX Prep book and it definitely prepared me. I was glad I studied lab values and ABG disorders but I felt like most of the questions were really simple nursing concepts. I found that study book on Thriftbooks.com for like $8! I got my test results back via email the next day after I took it. Between the savings on tuition ($5k), the class materials fee ($4k) and the cost to fly out and attend clinicals, you're looking at over $10k in savings easily. Note: out of dozens I know to take the gap exam, only a few have passed Pharmacology. It's not difficult so I'm not sure why, but it's actually better that way! We cover IV meds and if that hasn't been in your scope of practice previous, you might have a harder time applying it/ figuring it out during future semesters.

So far the advisors have been friendly, helpful, engaging, and quick to respond. I had heard negative reviews about them but I haven't found them to be accurate at all, at least in regards to our first semester instructors. I am really ENJOYING our live weekly sessions. That said, I have heard of staff turnover there and we did already have a faculty member leave us this semester. I don't know if this will impact the quality of education at all, just thought I'd note that.

The live engagement sessions: in pharmacology you must attend 1 of the three live engagement sessions offered each week, at least 2.25 of the 3hrs OR submit makeup assignments (that would take you way longer!) You can choose which meeting to attend, they all review the same content. Fundamentals has two live engagement sessions for that portion and both must be attended(2.5hr on Tues, 1hr on Thurs). I also hear the classroom and clinical work you have to do for Fundamentals is time intensive too. Which leads me to my next note…

Hours required: Classes always have estimates on how long all the work will take and I've found them to be general guidelines I don't pay much attention to… not so much in this class! To do everything correctly, this will definitely require many dedicated hours every day. I have definitely already found shortcuts (I.e. skipping straight to the assessment on the lessons) BUT this obviously comes at the risk of not actually absorbing the material you need to know. Which leads me to my neeext point…

Work: I would say most of the students are working full-time right now, but from what I'm hearing in chat, many taking the full courseload (Fundamentals and Pharm) are struggling to find the time to complete it all, let alone absorb the material fully. I can imagine as I'vee even been busy just with the Pharm work. With this in mind, I'll be switching to only taking 3-4 shifts a week once I begin next semester. I would definitely consider going part time/ per diem at some point.

Clinicals: I'm sure everyone has heard of the notorious clinical student backlog and how students were going to FL for one month(ish) at the end of the program to do ALL their clinicals…. Well, unfortunately for us out of state students (that's almost everyone), that is being phased out. They're saying for sure by next semester they will return to "clinical concurrency", as requested by the CBON so licenses will continue being endorsed in CA from this school. And the # of clinical dates required seems to have increased by a few days from what I was told a year and a half ago when I first inquired. Note, I know we do some VSim (virtually simulated) clinicals that will take care of some of the hours but they're scaling those back from 75% to 50% or less. This means we will be going out to Florida each semester for over a week each time. (Roughly 7-12 days each semester, plus an extra week in the last semester for final evaluations).

Quality of education: I am really impressed by this so far, as I was most worried about this. As I said, the faculty have been really supportive and helpful so far and the actual software/ programs we are using are overall really helpful. One complaint I do have though is the organization of the information in the recorded videos and lessons, but it's an easy fix. If I take notes spaced out on different pages, I can cluster info together. It's overall a minor inconvenience but it does take just a little more of your time.

The general format of the courseload in Pharmacology each week is:

   * Watch the prerecorded lectures (3 - 10, averaging 20 mins each)

   * Complete the interactive lessons and assessment on Sherpath (4 - 10, averaging 45 mins each)

   * Take a short 5 question quiz

   * Attend 1 live session for Pharm.

   * Take the 100 Question EAQ exam (does not have to be completed in one sitting!)

*I'm not sure how much of each type of activity in Fundamentals, but it runs the same type of routine, just has the added vSim component.

I HOPE ANY OF THIS HELPS! I think it does take a certain level of comfort with uncertainty/ adaptability BUT this is a legitimate path for those of us tired of waiting to get into a CA program. I do know multiple coworkers who have graduated and are fully endorsed and working at acute care hospitals locally so I do know this can be done!

Thank you for all this info. Im wondering if the time needed for clinicals depends on the state you are from. Im from southern California. I've heard California requires almost double the hours for RN. I as well work Full time but its 3- 12hr shifts. Im hoping this will still allow me time to study and complete work.

Christina Curto · May 12, 2022

2 hours ago, LVNnurse77 said:

Thank you for all this info. Im wondering if the time needed for clinicals depends on the state you are from. Im from southern California. I've heard California requires almost double the hours for RN. I as well work Full time but its 3- 12hr shifts. Im hoping this will still allow me time to study and complete work.

It is standard for all students. It is based off the FL state standard as that's where your license will be issued. I believe the increase is due to the percentage of in person clinical/ lab check off hours returning back to normal now that the pandemic is over. (75% in person, 25% vSim vs 50%/50% during pandemic). You said you are in CA so you're good, you'll be able to endorse here after you pass the NCLEX as it meets our standards. We just have to go to FL for a few more days each semester now ? but it'll be worth it when I factor in my pay increase vs waiting for a program here in CA so I'm rolling with it.

And regarding work.... you have to do what you have to do! Just know that depending on how demanding/ exhausting your shifts are and how much time you'll need for other life responsibilities, I think it could be pretty difficult with a full class load...but do not let that deter you, I just want you to be prepared for that possibility. Others have done it though so it can be done. Good luck!

------------

Btw someone from June 6 cohort - create a FB group for your cohort! It's been helpful in me connecting to classmates and I'm getting so many requests on our Feb Cohort's group.

LVNnurse77 · May 12, 2022

1 hour ago, Christina Curto said:

It is standard for all students. It is based off the FL state standard as that's where your license will be issued. I believe the increase is due to the percentage of in person clinical/ lab check off hours returning back to normal now that the pandemic is over. (75% in person, 25% vSim vs 50%/50% during pandemic). You said you are in CA so you're good, you'll be able to endorse here after you pass the NCLEX as it meets our standards. We just have to go to FL for a few more days each semester now ? but it'll be worth it when I factor in my pay increase vs waiting for a program here in CA so I'm rolling with it.

And regarding work.... you have to do what you have to do! Just know that depending on how demanding/ exhausting your shifts are and how much time you'll need for other life responsibilities, I think it could be pretty difficult with a full class load...but do not let that deter you, I just want you to be prepared for that possibility. Others have done it though so it can be done. Good luck!

------------

Btw someone from June 6 cohort - create a FB group for your cohort! It's been helpful in me connecting to classmates and I'm getting so many requests on our Feb Cohort's group.

I am still going to go with this program as well. I can not wait any longer for the community colleges to allow people in. Even passing TEAS there was over 400 applications from one school and about the same for another. Then north of me, they put their bridge program on hold for 2 years to catch up and then switching to the same lottery system others have. I just cant wait any longer

Kkurow4787 · May 14, 2022

Hello, wondering if anyone who is NOT already an LPN has been able to transfer nursing credits from another ADN program? I have completed all pre recs, pharm, fundamentals/foundations, med surg 1 and 2, and OB/peds. I only need to do psych and the capstone courses. Also, what is the GAP test and is it only for LPN's? Would they have me test for each of the transferred courses to see if they will accept it or make me re-take each one?Thanks for your help!

LVNnurse77 · May 15, 2022

22 hours ago, Kkurow4787 said:

Hello, wondering if anyone who is NOT already an LPN has been able to transfer nursing credits from another ADN program? I have completed all pre recs, pharm, fundamentals/foundations, med surg 1 and 2, and OB/peds. I only need to do psych and the capstone courses. Also, what is the GAP test and is it only for LPN's? Would they have me test for each of the transferred courses to see if they will accept it or make me re-take each one?Thanks for your help!

The GAP test is only for LVP/LPN that have a current license. When I talked to the advisor even if you pass the GAP test you still pay the same amount a person who has all pre reqs done

Christina Curto · May 15, 2022

30 minutes ago, LVNnurse77 said:

The GAP test is only for LVP/LPN that have a current license. When I talked to the advisor even if you pass the GAP test you still pay the same amount a person who has all pre reqs done

Prerequisites do not factor into the cost BUT testing out of Fundamentals or Pharmacology or both through the APA DOES effect the cost you will pay. If you take the full 15 month program it's roughly $35k. You save on the tuition of whichever portion you test out of.

Nursechris77 · May 19, 2022

On 2/28/2022 at 2:02 PM, nurseAmy2 said:

Hi Everyone,

I am thinking about applying for the program, I am located in the central valley (California). I applied to 6 different programs locally and I'm still waiting to see if I am accepted. Would it be in my best interest to get the process started? I am imagining it would be a June start date if I am accepted. What are your thoughts?

Hello, im from Central Valley Also. Where abouts do you live?
Are you staring in June 2022? I am still deciding but am looking at Fall 2022 cohart.

Reply ..

LVNnurse77 · May 19, 2022

Does anyone know how long it takes to find out if you passed the APA exam?

Christina Curto · May 19, 2022

5 minutes ago, LVNnurse77 said:

Does anyone know how long it takes to find out if you passed the APA exam?

You'll likely receive a call the next day. Most do!

Slee11 · May 19, 2022

Is there a link for the June 2022 cohort? If so I would greatly appreciate the link please. Thank you!