Indiana State University BSN Thread for Current Students

Sounds good, thanks! Will try to post more from now on then,

hi riversideCA. I understand that you are currently in ISU BSN program and i like to contact you via email if i could for some questions because i am recently just admitted to ISU (but not ISU Nursing program yet) and feel so lost. I am currently in OC, CA and still very confused where to go about this. I've spoke to a counselor at ISU and she referred me to sign up with TCN, but i'm not comfortable in signing up as i am trying to save as much money as possible. However, I did spoke to a TCN rep and according to them i still have a few classes i need to take in Phase I before i could proceed with Phase II.

Anyways, i like to know how you went about from your situation to start with this program up to this point. Your answers would be very much helpful. Thanks a lot.

Hi Waaiting, I have the same situation too, I don't understand even the ISU ppl told me that " I Have To sign up with TCN because I am in California", let's keep in touch for more info, good luck

Another Valley Gal....... send me a private message and I will give you my email so we can keep in touch. I have talked to one other LA student.

Best to everyone

Hi LAstudent nurse, i need your help about TCN and/or ISU too, hope I get enough posts (15 of them) to sent PM to you, because I'm new in this forum (not much post before). thanks

treefrog59

Are you going to distant learning or take the ISU classes at the university?

If distant learning, you have two options:

1. call The College Network and meet with the local rep (their salesman for the program). He/she will ask for your transcripts so they can be evaluated. That way you will know what you are missing for the LVN-BSN program. One thinks that one has all the requirements, but sometimes there is a class or two to take. If you have to take a class, if at all possible take it from a community college and save money otherwise go to The College Network.

Fortunately for me with all my studies I had no classes to take other than the 4 challenge courses (psych, adult nursing, family, and maternity).

2. Since you have forwarded all your transcripts, the university can evaluate them and tell you what you are missing, since you have already submitted your application.

3. If everything is a go, then you must start studying.

Study material:

a. buy from TCN (cost for the 4 is $1500-2000),

b. get your own books (suggest from Amazon--used of course to save $'s),

c. get some of the Lippencott condensed study books for the subject --such as "Straight A's for psych", "Straight A's Medical-Surgical Nursing" they are helpful.

Quite honestly, from what I have read doing the first challenge and studying for the adult med/surg, the information corresponds to my notes from AA nursing school (which I had to drop out due to family illness). What is interesting in the adult med surg is the information I learned in the community college nursing courses, is it goes from introduction med/surg to advanced med/surg--including cancer, death/dying, ABGs, electrolytes, hydration...and more (still going through the study info)

When you are ready to take the first exam and pay half of your fee to the university for the course, you will be authorized to go to their Billboard site and it gives you a syllibus. Look up the topics that they give objectives to. That may help you.

Everyone, give yourself time to study. Pass the first time and avoid paying even more money for the challenges. From my 2 cents, I can't understand why the challenge exams cost so much. After all, it is only an on line test that is immediately graded and you have not used the University's resources as you have studied on your own. The university's rationale for the cost is they offer the tests at a fraction of the cost of the class. Seems to me that the challenges should be a nominal charge say $75-100. Oh well, guess they have to make money some way. BTW if you want to challenge a class at a community college out in my area, they charge $300 per challenge..but it requires a test at the college and a hands on clinical test with a professior. I can understand that charge as one is using their facilities.

Success to all!

Hi everyone I'm New to the site. I just recently applied to ISU and paid the 25 registration fee along with sending over my transcripts. I was curious if anyone knows or has the study modules for the 4 pre tests you need to take to get into the LPN to BSN program. Also if there is another military spouse or girlfriend going through this program I would love to hear about moving and the program as we do that frequently =)

Also I would like to know from anyone experience how you know if you have all the courses for level one completed. I'm a LPN and have my AA degree I seem to have all the courses but was wondering how I know for sure so that I can take the 4 pre admission test and be able to apply in June for fall 2010.

Like the info, thanks LAstudent RN

Just FYI for anyone having difficulties with finding an acceptable Chemistry course; I found an online course (with some help from Joelle at ISU) with a lab component that meets all the requirements. The professor is awesome (so far) and the course is manageable. Weber State University Online. Chem 1110.

Kylea, which state are you in? I'm in california, i also have question about my transfer credit of the chemistry course too

KG916,

I have 2 Associate Degrees also with over 100 units. I completed 1 semester in the ADN program at my local JC. Unfortunately due to certain obligations, I couldn't committ myself to be a full time student (successfully). Anywhoo, a lot of the prereqs that were accepted for the ADN program are not accepted for a BSN, so I have to do like 7 upper division classes like World Religions, College Algebra, Stats, etc. I completed 4 already and will take the Dantes test of World Religion the end of this month or early December.

Hopefully, I will have everything completed by June 1 for the fall acceptance. But yes, lets keep in touch to track our progress! :)

BSN2b09, do you need to complete world religion and statistic in order to admit into the program? TCN rep told me i can take those class when during the phase III. Anybody please advise...

i called isu phone number yesterday(i'm sure that is isu, not tcn), i was surprise that they said i "have to" join tcn because i'm in california, i tried to ask more question, but sounds like she is pushing me to contact tcn too..... it's not like isu ask you to run away from tcn, why????

besides, i read hundreds posts about all the bad experience with tcn, and i totally believe that i don't need tcn to get into isu program. so i just registered with isu myself and find out which class they will credit or not. i will try to wait until the evaluation of my preq. classes first.

anybody who is in california and already into any phase of the isu lpn-bsn program "without tcn" involved? please pm me and leave me your email address. i'm still new to this forum and still not able to pm any of you yet. thanks, and good luck everybody!

Hi Guys,

I had a few questions regarding the 4 CSM's binders for ISU. I already have the four binders in hand. I was hoping some of you that have already completed the binders can answer a few of my questions please:

1) Once you are ready to take the test, do you take the test online? I thought I read that you can access it on the ISU blackboard.

2) How much did it cost to take each test?

3) Are the tests difficult to pass?

4) Any advice; study habits that you can recommend? I see that there are practice tests at the end of each binder. Any information is greatly appreciated.

Thanks for your help, SoonSurgery

Each exam cost $166.00 x 2. ($166.00 to register and $166.00 provided after successful completion for credit). Yes, you take each exam online with your chosen and then approved by ISU proctor.They are sent the password needed to activate the online exam. I did not purchase the TCN binders. I used the provided syllabus to study. So far, so good.

Good Luck!

Kathleen

I thought it was $166.00/credit hour of the binder course? So, it would be almost $1000 to take all 4 exams? Im confused!

Hi Everyone,

I am new to this site and I just applied at ISU this week. Thank you and soooo excited to get started!! )