Indiana State University BSN students

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Here's a new sticky for students involved in online/distance BSN programs through Indiana State University. Enjoy!

Hello everyone!

I wish I had found the All Nurses website a long time ago. I signed with TCN in 2006. I am supposed to be doing the EC program. After reading all of the posts about both EC and ISU, I am thinking that maybe I would like to switch to the ISU program. It seems to be more widely accepted. I also like the idea of having actual clinicals with a person to teach you vs. a three day test that is pass or fail.

I would like to thank everyone for all of the information that has been posted here. It has been very helpful. I am going to look into the hospitals in my area to see if they will allow the clinicals before I start any of the classes.

Again, thank you so much for taking the time to post on this site. Good luck to all in your studies.

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You're very welcome. Hope its helpful. :)

Hi Chaxanmom and other ISU students,

I have been learning a lot from your posts. You guys are great and I am so glad that I found this tread. I have read that the ISU and EC programs are challeging and a lot of work. I'd like to know from you, Do you feel as if you are being adequately prepared, if so why? I don't think it is truly a question of "good or bad program" because these are programs created for the independent learner, but how has it benefited you thus far vs traditional programs.

Thanks....

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Hi Chaxanmom and other ISU students,

I have been learning a lot from your posts. You guys are great and I am so glad that I found this tread. I have read that the ISU and EC programs are challeging and a lot of work. I'd like to know from you, Do you feel as if you are being adequately prepared, if so why? I don't think it is truly a question of "good or bad program" because these are programs created for the independent learner, but how has it benefited you thus far vs traditional programs.

Thanks....

See post #223. I answered this the other day. :)

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Specializes in hospice.

I believe someone recently said that were getting ready to take the test out for NURS224? Did you ever take it? I want to get my last 3 test outs done by this summer and 224 is next on my list.

Michelle

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I believe someone recently said that were getting ready to take the test out for NURS224? Did you ever take it? I want to get my last 3 test outs done by this summer and 224 is next on my list.

Michelle

I just took it a month or so ago. I didn't do well IMO...got an 84% *but* I definitely feel like I took too long between studying the module and taking the test so I forgot a lot of detail that I couldn't relearn just by skimming through the module, kwim? The test itself was very easy. There are only like 65 questions or so I think. That's what makes it hard...you can't afford to miss very many.

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Chaxanmom (or others) - is there a reason (maybe you posted earlier and I missed it) why you decided to go with ISU vs. Excelsior LPN-RN? My big concern with ISU is the clinicals. Not the skills, but the time. Do you find this to be an issue? I am seeing with EC that you only test out of clinicals (CPNE) then you could actually do your RN-MS through them. Just trying to figure out what to do, most time effective and least costly.

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Chaxanmom (or others) - is there a reason (maybe you posted earlier and I missed it) why you decided to go with ISU vs. Excelsior LPN-RN? My big concern with ISU is the clinicals. Not the skills, but the time. Do you find this to be an issue? I am seeing with EC that you only test out of clinicals (CPNE) then you could actually do your RN-MS through them. Just trying to figure out what to do, most time effective and least costly.

In a nutshell, because the point of Excelsior is to test what you already know rather than to teach you. ISU is a traditional nursing program. The only difference is the physical location of the didactic portion. Getting a complete education is important to me and also having a real brick and mortar school on my resume is important to me for work and for grad school. That's more important to me than going for the quickest and cheapest route.

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I met with TCN they gave me a written list of all the pre classes, who offered the testing to cover them and when in the program they are due (there are 10 "first" ones that have to be done before any nursing courses can be taken.) The rest can be done before graduating. I purchased as many TCN modules as I could off Ebay -paid $20-$50 each, but have just slowly got one here and there until I've just about the whole set. Now I have started scheduling the tests, that's pretty easy- each place has it's own site to schedule..excelsior,clept ...A couple I'm going to take at the CC. I'll go back and sign up with TCN when I have done as much as I can on my own.

Good Luck

Is this working well for you? This is what I would like to do but haven't found anyone that has specifically done this.

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Specializes in Day program consultant DD/MR.
Chaxanmom (or others) - is there a reason (maybe you posted earlier and I missed it) why you decided to go with ISU vs. Excelsior LPN-RN? My big concern with ISU is the clinicals. Not the skills, but the time. Do you find this to be an issue? I am seeing with EC that you only test out of clinicals (CPNE) then you could actually do your RN-MS through them. Just trying to figure out what to do, most time effective and least costly.

I am from California and ISU is the only distant learning program that is accepted here, also ISU is accepted in more states that Excelsior is. I don't know what the future holds and I would hate to be an RN and then move to a state that does not recognize EC and then I'm back to square one.

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Specializes in Surgical Nursing.
Phase 2 are testouts so you do those whenever. No idea when each of classes are offered though. Check with ISU for their class schedule.

Are the phase 2 classes only test out? So you mean the student studies the material on their own and then takes TCN tests? Basically, the material in phase 2 should be things that an LVN is familiar with, is this correct?

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Specializes in Surgical Nursing.

How long does phase 3 usually take....? a year?

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Are the phase 2 classes only test out? So you mean the student studies the material on their own and then takes TCN tests? Basically, the material in phase 2 should be things that an LVN is familiar with, is this correct?

The phase 2 tests are not TCN tests (there's no such thing). You take them through ISU after you've been accepted to the program. Yes it's things an LPN should know.

Phase 3 takes as long as you make it take. There are about 11 classes so it just depends on how many you want to take at a time.

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