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!

Specializes in Surgical Nursing.
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.

i was reading the text from ISU that phase 2 and 3 take about 3 years to complete.... is it possible to do it faster or do certain requirements/pre-reqs, class offering (sp or fall) prevent an increase in pace?

oh and also, is it hard to get clinical placement?

thank you thank you thank you!!! =o)

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Just wanted to give some info to anyone considering ISU from Missouri. I just received an email through the BON stating that they do not allow ISU but do allow EC. I am disappointed because I really wanted to do it this way, but at least there is another option for us. Thanks all.

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Specializes in hospice.

When I started I had part of phase one complete, but still had a few prereqs to do. To complete phase one, two, and three will probably take me close to three years in the end. I have taken 2-4 courses each semester but what really starts to slow you down in the end if you aren't careful is a) nursing courses are only offered in the spring and fall (no summer courses) and b) alot of the nursing courses must follow each other i.e. you cannot take four at a time, sometimes one at at time and sometimes two, possibly three. This is especially true for the ones that have a clinical component, quite a few of them have 90 clinical hours.

Finding a clinical instructor was not difficult for me, I live in IN and often use a nurse at the hospital I work at, depending on which course I am taking. Maybe someone else can chime in with info on the clinical setup for other states.

Good luck!

Michelle

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i was reading the text from ISU that phase 2 and 3 take about 3 years to complete.... is it possible to do it faster or do certain requirements/pre-reqs, class offering (sp or fall) prevent an increase in pace?

oh and also, is it hard to get clinical placement?

thank you thank you thank you!!! =o)

the planned program of study is at http://www1.indstate.edu/nursing/programs/bs/lpn-bs/lpn-bs-pos.htm

you can see what classes are offered by looking at http://prodinteract.indstate.edu/pls/prod/bwckschd.p_disp_dyn_sched

The potentially difficult thing about getting a clinical placement is making sure you have the contract with the agency - legal departments have to agree - you should begin this process as soon as possible. Information about the process and the current contracts is located at http://isu1.indstate.edu/mary/agencylist.asp (There is a new guy managing this now - not Mike)

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Just wanted to give some info to anyone considering ISU from Missouri. I just received an email through the BON stating that they do not allow ISU but do allow EC. I am disappointed because I really wanted to do it this way, but at least there is another option for us. Thanks all.

Does anyone have a complete list of all the states that DO NOT accept ISU?

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Does anyone have a complete list of all the states that DO NOT accept ISU?

Yep. I posted it and asked for a sticky but it didn't get stickied. I don't have the file handy anymore but if you go under my name where it lists posts I've made it will be there. I forget the subject line but it should be obvious when you see it. :) HTH!

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Specializes in Surgical Nursing.

Thank you so much for that. It'll help me make my decision.

I'm a bit afraid of the clinical placement.....

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I agree with you NICUr2B. I'm worried about clinical placement. Everything else sounds good; I know that the state of IL excepts the program but when I looked at the list of clinical sites, there are none near me. Well, I have a big decision to make.

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Specializes in Surgical Nursing.

I looked at the list too and I only saw two already classified "clinical sites" for CA. This worries me because I would think that a program that is up and running should have atleast one clinical site for each of the classes that requires a clinical...

I don't want to get stuck on my educational goals just because I have to wait for a clinical placement for up to 6 months...

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Specializes in Med Surg and Detox.

Hi! I'm Linda and currently a BSN student at ISU - through distance ed. I have taken one of the tests and it was not so bad - basic nursing knowledge - if you mess up the first time you can take the test a second time - as soon as you are ready and the worst case would be that you would have to enroll in the class. I too cannot afford the TCN study guides so I am a little scared of the upcoming PEDS/OB tests that I have to take by the end of this semester. Anyway enough rambling and if anyone has questions or needs help just ask - I will do what I can.

Frozen in the North,

Linda

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I looked at the list too and I only saw two already classified "clinical sites" for CA. This worries me because I would think that a program that is up and running should have atleast one clinical site for each of the classes that requires a clinical...

I don't want to get stuck on my educational goals just because I have to wait for a clinical placement for up to 6 months...

The program has been up and running for quite some time. They don't always have students in every state which is why there aren't clinical sites in every city in the US. I'm not sure what your expectations are in that regard. They can't really anticipate that students in certain cities will join the program and set up clinicals by assumption, kwim?

Here's the deal. If you want to do independent study you do indeed need to be *independent*. If you need a lot of hand holding this may not be for you. You need to be a proactive person (which is a good skill for nurses anyway). Start early with finding clinical sites. Be proactive and find out what your needs will be and start looking into how to meet those needs now. My experience hasn't been 3 months. I set the contract up with NIH because a friend is a nurse researcher there. My med-surg I'm working on myself because the legal stuff is already done and it's up to ME if I want to come back there. Mark does the legal end and then turns it over to you to arrange dates and times. It is *your* responsibility to make sure that you get what you need when you go to your clinicals. You will not have an instructor there to hold your hand. Your preceptor is basically there to check you off on things you need to do. Learning the skills comes through videos online, etc. This program is geared toward students who can and are willing to show initiative in their education and in their careers.

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Specializes in Med Surg and Detox.
Just wanted to give some info to anyone considering ISU from Missouri. I just received an email through the BON stating that they do not allow ISU but do allow EC. I am disappointed because I really wanted to do it this way, but at least there is another option for us. Thanks all.

Hey don't give up - Just a little encouragement - I am from Alaska and they too did not accept ISU at first - but Kim Cook at ISU was really great at helping get the program offered here and as far as I know the only Alaskan student. It took time and lots of effort and communication with the BON but they finally approved it. I was advised not to do EC and am really glad that I choose to follow through with ISU - they really are great and will do whatever they can to help you get through.

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