Indiana State University BSN Thread for Current Students

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moderator note: this is a continuation of a previous thread that was very long and split by member request. this thread is primarily for current student discussion. there is another thread of faq: https://allnurses.com/distance-learning-nursing/isu-faq-thread-365878.html

we had to take micro, stats, math, biology, couple of humanities, etc, etc. maybe she meant that's just the one specific to nursing, as in in addition to the rest of the gen eds? anyway, good luck on both your applications!

Specializes in med-surg, telemetry, rehab, ortho, dialy.

I know she wasn't directing it to me totally, I was just responding to her note.

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Specializes in Med Surg.

Yep guys, I was just rambling my thoughts out loud. It is a totally different progression when you are working full-time and have kids even tho they are in college. I have found that 2 classes a semester are about max for me and that is why I don't want to have anything but nursing courses left when I start Phase 3.

Have a good day all.

Brenda

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Specializes in LTC.

Hi, can you please tell me how did it go for you setting up clinical sites/preceptors. That is my only roadblock right now to signing up with ISU. Thanks!

Elena

Yep guys, I was just rambling my thoughts out loud. It is a totally different progression when you are working full-time and have kids even tho they are in college. I have found that 2 classes a semester are about max for me and that is why I don't want to have anything but nursing courses left when I start Phase 3.

Have a good day all.

Brenda

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I don't think Brenda is at that point yet but it's gone fine for me. You send the information to the contract guy and he takes care of the contract part then you contact the hospital to arrange for a preceptor. I've done clinicals at a few places just to add variety. Right now I'm doing public health at National Institutes of Health and critical care at Johns Hopkins so really you can go anywhere. It also looks good to be able to tell recruiters that you arranged for your own clinical experiences. It shows them you are proactive and motivated.

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Specializes in LTC.

Thanks so much Chaxanmom. What is the incentive for a preceptor to take on a student? Do they get CEU's? I would LOVE to have a clincial at John Hopkins. I'm in southern Delaware but it would be worth the drive. How hard was it for the clinical to be set up? And was there a "waiting list" or any kind of wait? Really appreciate your help.

I don't think Brenda is at that point yet but it's gone fine for me. You send the information to the contract guy and he takes care of the contract part then you contact the hospital to arrange for a preceptor. I've done clinicals at a few places just to add variety. Right now I'm doing public health at National Institutes of Health and critical care at Johns Hopkins so really you can go anywhere. It also looks good to be able to tell recruiters that you arranged for your own clinical experiences. It shows them you are proactive and motivated.
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I don't know that there is any incentive other than that its a benefit to nursing in general. I didn't have a wait list or anything. I did notify Hopkins a few months before my semester started but I'm just anal like that. I don't do anything last minute. :) It wasn't hard to set up at all once I tracked down the right person. If you do end up at ISU and want to go to Hopkins PM me and I'll pass on her name. Mark (contract guy at ISU) still has the name of a person in the legal department that was no help. I did have to do some legwork to find the right person but I wasn't a big deal. Nothing to fret about anyway. :)

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Specializes in LTC.

Great news. I'm in! How long, all together, is it taking you to complete your BSN? And is the clinical the same as nursing school clinical, with other students with you? Do you get to pick the numbers of hours per day or does the preceptor decide? You're the first person who has been able to give me these important answers. Can't thank you enough.

I don't know that there is any incentive other than that its a benefit to nursing in general. I didn't have a wait list or anything. I did notify Hopkins a few months before my semester started but I'm just anal like that. I don't do anything last minute. :) It wasn't hard to set up at all once I tracked down the right person. If you do end up at ISU and want to go to Hopkins PM me and I'll pass on her name. Mark (contract guy at ISU) still has the name of a person in the legal department that was no help. I did have to do some legwork to find the right person but I wasn't a big deal. Nothing to fret about anyway. :)
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I'm doing 12 hour shifts simply because it's easier to plan and it limits how many hours of morning childcare I need to arrange. Baltimore is an hour away from me and finding a babysitter willing to come at 5:30am is not an easy task. lol! It's really up to you and your preceptor but you can't do any more than 16 hours per day. You need 500 hours for the LPN-BSN program which is the same as the on campus students in the same program. You have to do the same things they do except your lectures are online rather than in person.

It's taken me a total of 4 semesters of nursing classes. I'm not including general education because I've done a little here, a little there for the past 10 years.

Totally depends on how much credit you transfer in and how many classes you take at a time. The program guide on the site will tell you what all you need.

It's totally different from nursing school clinical. You work one on one with your preceptor (a staff nurse chosen by the facility...Hopkins has a program to train preceptors for their new grad program and generally you will get one of these nurses). I've found that I learn a lot more this way than I did schlepping around with a bunch of other students. If something interesting comes along it's always you that gets to go see or participate because you are by yourself. I love that part. :D The down side is that your preceptor doesn't have the vested interest in your success that an instructor would so you better hope you get a good one or that you can be proactive but professional if you don't. :)

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Specializes in LTC.

Thanks again. I guess I'm ready to sign up. You are a kind and generous person and probably a good nurse :nurse: Your input is invaluable. Have a good weekend.

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Aww you are so sweet. Thank you. :)

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Hi Chaxamom,

I am seriously considering trying to enter ISU because it would work out for my schedule being a military spouse,working, and caring for 3 children. I just can not see myself entering the traditional school right now because they only offer clinicals and nursing classes during the day. I am currently taking my preq in the evening and online at a local college but I am really leaning towards ISU. I have read tons of threads and appreciate you responding to our questions and being so helpful. Another question does the study modules to challenge the nursing courses if you are a LPN. Does financial aid cover that ? And how much does it cost? Also how are the instructors are the classes really difficult? Thanks again.

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No the study modules and test fees are something you have to pay for yourself so be sure to budget for that. As far as instructors go, it really varies. Only one in particular has been very easy (albeit hard to get ahold of) but she's got a lot going on in the background. Actually no, she wasn't the easiest. I just thought of an incredibly easy one. I'm not posting a list of skate professors until after I get my diploma though. Haha! I've had a couple that I thought at first were the prison warden type but they turned out to not be. My two favorites are Dr. Frank and Dr. Gosse. They teach research and critical care.

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