Independent/distance learning

kavi · Feb 4, 2003

This is a new forum, it just opened yesterday.

I started with Excelsior a few months ago, and am working on pre-requisites. I know 'Deaconness" has come up in a few threads, and I know at least one person is considering their program.

I'm hoping we can all offer each other support, even if we are in different stages of our studies. We all have different backgrounds, but I think most independant programs require some medical background experience. I think it takes a certain type of person to work independantly. I know people who have completed nursing programs this way, and they said they are actually more difficult in some ways. But so much more flexible for those of us who just can't attend a traditional program.

Right now I'm immersed with A & P and MicroBiology studies, and I'm also taking Ethics and Chemistry. I'm hoping to have my pre-reqs. out of the way by this fall. We'll see. I still have to take a few more courses before I'm there.

Anyway, look forward to hearing from others. :cool:

New CCU RN · Feb 4, 2003

How do you have A&P, Micro and Chem labs with distance learning?

kavi · Feb 4, 2003

We have online sites we can go to for lab tutorials, academic advisors, etc., but are responsible for obtaining our own clinical experience. I've been an EMT full-time for seven years, and worked as a Medical Assistant in a Clinic--doing labs, blood draws, taking patient vitals, etc.

You have to have some sort of practical background along this line to be accepted into Excelsior College's nursing program.

At the end of the Nursing Program you do an intense three day onsite handson practical testing in a hospital. They have several hospitals around the country that work with them.

You basically have to go in 'knowing how to do it as if you were a working nurse'. So you have to already have the experience, or find a way to get it on your own. They have a guidebook of what you need to know, and you find a way to learn it whatever way you can.

I've worked with two nurses who completed this program, and both said it was very difficult, but they were well-prepared when they started their nursing careers. It's not for everyone though.

Kavi

angelbear · Feb 4, 2003

Do you happen to know what the average is for the time it takes for each course that you need? One of our nurses at work has started thru Rue and several of us are thinking of joining her. I have heard it is more expensive thru Rue (99 to start and 99 per month til paid) but that success rate is higher. Also is there any financial aid ie. grants available for this type of program. Thanks

mona b RN, BSN, RN · Feb 4, 2003

I know 'Deaconness" has come up in a few threads, and I know at least one person is considering their program. [/quote
Where are you Opalm? How did you make out with the lab?
Kavi,
Are you doing Excelsior's A&P and Microbiology? I found a wonderful little book at B&N, it's called A&P-The Review Series by Springhouse notes. I find it gets right to the point and I use it in addition to my other books. Funny though, I cannot use Ex's a&p for Deaconess, only for my local program. If I don't get into my local program, I will have to take a&p again. Oh well, we'll see what happens.
mona b

renerian, BSN, RN · Feb 4, 2003

I did not do nursing with my distance education for my BS/MS program. We had an A&P and biology class but I did not have to take it since I took two years in nursing school. I loved distance. Got through both degrees in two years. Worked hard though. I loved the flexibility of it.

renerian

mona b RN, BSN, RN · Feb 4, 2003

Renerian,

Did you take accelerated courses or did you take advantage of CLEP or testing out of classes? That's pretty impressive either way.

mona b

Spazzy Nurse, RN · Feb 4, 2003

I wish this would've been here loooong ago! Thanks for getting this set up for us!

Angelbear--- my biggest piece of advice for you is to make sure you check out all of your options before deciding to go with a publishing company. I went with RUE and I am very sorry I did, as are several other people I have talked to. Some people are happy with the publishing company they chose to go through (RUE, Moore's, Chancellor's, etc) but it can be done cheaper by directly going through EC. I found that out after it was too late and I was locked into a contract. Message me if you want to talk about options.

I have no idea how you people do microbiology as a distance learning course..... you are absolutely AMAZING. I had to take A&P for EC because the 2 times I had taken it in the past didn't transfer in. Even having had it in the past, it was still a bugger to take independantly. I imagine micro is exactly the same.

I'm an EC student who is just about to cross the line from student to graduate nurse. I have everything done, including the CPNE (woo hoo!) and just have to finish up with Lifespan. The program is very difficult but it can be done. How long does it take---- that all depends on who you ask. I was told the avg. amt. of time it takes a person is 18 months to wrap up the whole thing. Me--- I got pregnant a month after I started, so that slowed things down quite a bit. It'll be just under 3 years that I've been working at it (taking a few looong breaks here and there) by the time I finish. I have seen some people who whip through it all in a few months.

nightingale, RN · Feb 4, 2003

Heh nice BB and idea! Thanks for getting it started!

KC CHICK · Feb 4, 2003

Hey all,

I will be starting my distance RN to BSN bridge through University of Missouri, Columbia this summer. Nice to see others doing the 'distance' thing too. Right now, I'm taking co-requisites at my local CC that will transfer to MU.

Gotta love these computers!!!

Anne:D

debRNo1 · Feb 4, 2003

I am a graduate of Excelsior ADN program. I DID NOT sign with

RUE or any other company and passed all exams and CPNE. I would be happy to answer any questions I can. Took me 5 years from start to finish working at my own pace.

It is an intense but completely doable program if you can cope with independant study and stay motivated.

good luck