ICHS 2022

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Hello! Is there anybody who will be attending International College of Health Sciences (ICHS) in Florida in 2022?

14 hours ago, LVNnurse77 said:

I just finished med surg I and psych. Rules do change constantly and 4 days before finals we found out from 1 instructor we would be taking the HESI exam. so a week of studying material we did over 13 weeks and then to find out we are not taking a test that was based off the material we reviewed was stressful. I passed and will be moving forward to med surg II and OB/Peds. All I can stress is study everything, know your books front to back. Do the practice questions daily. Im not sure how people work FT and do this program. I give them tons of credit. The school really isn't that bad. The constant changes I assumed are from covid and then the "rumors" of multiple people cheating through school then failing boards. I cant blame the school for changing the way they allow tests to be done. The part that is challenging is no study material is ever given for any tests. They also do not even allow you to ask how many questions are on the tests. In one of the classes the professor threatened to report a student for breaking test policy by asking how many questions. When you start, Im sure you will sign like a 8 page test taking policy. Please do not talk about the tests! You can be kicked out! when students go in break out groups some would talk about the tests. I did not trust or talk about anything. I kept silent. Those sessions are recorded and professors will appear in your group unannounced and be listening. Just study, take your tests and reach out to your professor if you need help. 

Do the instructors teach well? Would you still recommend the program? Is it possible to irk part time while in the program?

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Specializes in LVN.
5 hours ago, futurenursemae said:

Do the instructors teach well? Would you still recommend the program? Is it possible to irk part time while in the program?

Working during the program will definitely be something that is per individual. For the people I know that have done this program 1 worked PT, 1 per diem and the 1 working FT is struggling. Everyone is different. I felt the instructors I had gave us the information needed along with the books. I would read my chapters, do a set if practice questions then start doing my assignments. I as well purchased additional books to help me.  I bought lab values book, med surg book, peds book and you will need a drug book. We used our drug book for assignments. I heard all the same rumors about this school and I still chose to enroll. Everyone's experience is different. I have not had the bad experiences that others have talked about. The only thing I can't stress enough about is to study, read your chapters, take notes during zoom and do your practice questions. I wish you luck.

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Specializes in oncology.
5 hours ago, LVNnurse77 said:

We used our drug book for assignments.

You definitely will need this for clinicals with your lab book

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Specializes in New Nurse.

Hello there I am signing up for ICHS AND WOULD LOVE TO HEAR YOUR EXPERIENCE!. I asked one woman and she had a lot of negative things to say that almost had nothing to do with the curriculum itself. She complained about the cost, teaching herself, and the clinical experience being somewhat organized. I feel like those are hurdles you can get passed, especially being a nurse we should be able to adapt to situations. Can you please let me know the ups and downs of your experience? You seemed to have had the same open mind state as me based on your posts :)

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Specializes in LVN.
1 hour ago, DeeMS said:

Hello there I am signing up for ICHS AND WOULD LOVE TO HEAR YOUR EXPERIENCE!. I asked one woman and she had a lot of negative things to say that almost had nothing to do with the curriculum itself. She complained about the cost, teaching herself, and the clinical experience being somewhat organized. I feel like those are hurdles you can get passed, especially being a nurse we should be able to adapt to situations. Can you please let me know the ups and downs of your experience? You seemed to have had the same open mind state as me based on your posts ?

I just finished med-surg I and psych. Honestly I have not had a bad experience. Yes things are changing and yes they are still trying to catch up in clinicals from covid. Thats almost every school. Staff has been friendly and my professors have been very helpful and upfront. It's an online program so yes, there is A LOT of self reading and motivation. I feel like you are going to get out what you put in. 

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Specializes in New Nurse.

Perfectly stated, you seem to have a good handle on studying and note taking I am the same! I take my reading seriously and pleeeenty of notes. Thankyou so much!

 

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Specializes in New Nurse.
11 minutes ago, LVNnurse77 said:

I just finished med-surg I and psych. Honestly I have not had a bad experience. Yes things are changing and yes they are still trying to catch up in clinicals from covid. Thats almost every school. Staff has been friendly and my professors have been very helpful and upfront. It's an online program so yes, there is A LOT of self reading and motivation. I feel like you are going to get out what you put in. 

Also how are the clinicals done for you so far? Are you having to go every semester to do them or are you able to schedule them all for the end of the program?

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Specializes in LVN.
5 minutes ago, DeeMS said:

Also how are the clinicals done for you so far? Are you having to go every semester to do them or are you able to schedule them all for the end of the program?

We have not done clinicals yet. Im assuming we will go sometime next year. I'm OK with that. If I can go one time that's fine with me. I get the school is trying to catch everyone up. I have no complaints there 

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1 minute ago, LVNnurse77 said:

We have not done clinicals yet. Im assuming we will go sometime next year. I'm OK with that. If I can go one time that's fine with me. I get the school is trying to catch everyone up. I have no complaints there 

Hi,

When did you start the program?  Are the exams NCLEX style questions?

Thanks!

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Specializes in New Nurse.
1 minute ago, LVNnurse77 said:

We have not done clinicals yet. Im assuming we will go sometime next year. I'm OK with that. If I can go one time that's fine with me. I get the school is trying to catch everyone up. I have no complaints there 

Same here. Okay thats perfect! Im excited thankyou so much for that information!

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I passed my Exit exam on 9/18/22 and became an official graduate 9/19/22.

Oh Boy it's been a journey, started in Feb 2021, took the GAP test which I passed but still ended up with the same cohort if I didn't take it. The only pro about taking the GAP is that it reduces your classes and the cost of the program. I did have to retake Med-Surge II and of course the nightmare of scheduling clinicals which put many people behind targeted graduating dates.

 

I have many classmates that passed the exit in July and are now RNs, most of us are from California, like 90%.

 

The school rules and policies are always changing, class structure and testing has been changing making it more difficult. Just be ready to "go with the flow". This program has given me the opportunity to get a ticket to take my NCLEX, which is all I hoped for the program. I knew it was going to be difficult, online schools/classes usually are. I went part time at my work when I started since I wanted to eliminate all possibilities of setting myself up for failure. It was a big sacrifice for my family since the program and also flying to florida back and forth (I went 4 times) is a big expense, I spent at least 10k for my trips. I know some people that were able to work fulltime the first few semesters but went part time or reduced their hours nearing the end of their programs. It's do-able you have to sacrifice if you want that RN License.

 

I used to think I could recommend this to more of my friends last year, but the way the school evolves and changes with little notice I have steered people away. California is VERY competitive and many of us this school gave us a chance to become RNs without waiting 2-3 years waitlist/lottery programs. 

 

Tip for people asking about clinicals, you have to be very quick when they open up the list for your cohort, spots disappear within a day. Don't think you have the leisure in selecting your days or have a lot of options like scheduling it around your vacation etc. It's FIRST come FIRST serve. I had to go to florida to complete 1 clinical day and return the next day just to complete all my days (I had to do 35 clinical days + 2 mandatory lab days + the 7 days of the CFPE exit exam review week which is mandatory to graduate after you pass. So be ready for the hurdles. ( I also had to retake my RN Exit exam since I didn’t pass the first time and was very difficult, the stress was so intense  but the victory is so sweet ? )

 

You got this, get in the school, study HARD and PREPARE for those that are going to ICHS.

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Specializes in oncology.
8 minutes ago, Khyron said:

the 7 days of the CFPE exit exam review week which is mandatory to graduate after you pass.

What is the CFPE?

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