Indiana State University Online LVN to RN program

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I wanted some information on this online school. I have been following this place for awhile and wanted to know if anyone is currently attending, has attended, or will be attending this online school. Thank You

You do not need an associated degree to apply to ISU, but you do need the prerequisites for the program at ISU. Everything else can be taken at ISU, if you wish. If you go to their website, the LVN/LPN to BSN prerequisites are listed. It is best you get as much out of the way before entering into the program. Pathophysiology is a graduation requiremennt, but you can take it at any accredited facility and it transfers.

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Lady in Scrubs,

I live in Southern CA and am taking pre-requisites via TCN modules. What is your experience regarding ISU's acceptance of distance learning students from TCN into their program? Also, is there a long wait period to enter once one has taken the necessary classes? I was just concerned about taking all the prerequisites and then not getting accepted by ISU/timing of getting in - any thoughts on how hard it is to get into ISU? Thanks in advance!

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Lady in Scrubs,

I live in Southern CA and am taking pre-requisites via TCN modules. What is your experience regarding ISU's acceptance of distance learning students from TCN into their program? Also, is there a long wait period to enter once one has taken the necessary classes? I was just concerned about taking all the prerequisites and then not getting accepted by ISU/timing of getting in - any thoughts on how hard it is to get into ISU? Thanks in advance!

If you pass your prerequisites you probably will be accepted. There is no long wait for classes. However, once you have your prerequisites dones, you must pay for and pass 4 challenge classes. When that is done and you will be offered an official letter to join the program on a tenative basis. You must take and pass the transition course as well as the physical assessment class. It is best to take only one class at a time as they are very rigorous and there is much busy work. If you fail either one, you will not be accepted into the program as a regular student; pass these courses and you are now accepted into the LPN/LVN to BSN ISU program.

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Specializes in oncology.

ive been reading a ton of post on here and i think i have all the info needed to applt for spring 2012. I wanted to know if i wanted to try to test out of the phase 2 classes and i dont pass will i then be able to take the courses?

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ive been reading a ton of post on here and i think i have all the info needed to applt for spring 2012. i wanted to know if i wanted to try to test out of the phase 2 classes and i dont pass will i then be able to take the courses?[/quote]

phase 2 is a tcn phrase. do you mean that you have completed all your prerequisites and are now ready to take the 4 challenge tests that would give your credit for the corresponding classes. you want to know if you do not pass any one of the challenge courses, if you would be able to take courses.

when the 4 challenge courses are completed with a passing grade, you will be tenatively enrolled as an advanced student. the next step is to take and pass the isu first 2 classes (transition and physical assessment); when done, you will be given credit for a specific amount of classes and be admitted as a advanced nursing student into the lpn to bsn program.

you have 3 chances to pass the each of the challenge exams. if you do not pass on the first and second try (after repaying the test fee) then you must buy the tcn corresponding study guide. further, you must wait a month between failing a test and retaking it. after a 3rd try and failure, i believe you would not be given credit for those classes. instead, you must enroll as a regular nursing student at the isu brick and mortor facility in terre haute, indiana--you would not be enrolled into the lvn/lpn to bsn program but the regular rn program.

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Specializes in oncology.

ok it makes since now i do have all of my prereqs done for phase 1 but phase 2 is through TCN and i take those 4 classes then i will be admitted into phase 3. I plan on doing the program full time do you know how long it take to do phase 3.

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ok it makes since now i do have all of my prereqs done for phase 1 but phase 2 is through TCN and i take those 4 classes then i will be admitted into phase 3. I plan on doing the program full time do you know how long it take to do phase 3.

Phase 1 ... phase 2....Phase 3, these are TCN titles. These titles have nothing to do with ISU. TCN is not ISU; TCN is only a publishing company that offers study guides to test out of certain courses. ISU is an accredited university. You must adhere to ISU's requirements if you wish to enter into the distant learning nursing program--the DL LPN to BSN program is clearly outlined on the ISU website.

You do not need TCN to take the 4 ISU challenge nursing tests---as previous posts have discussed. Whether you do the program full time or part time, you will take classes on the time schedule ISU has established. This program is not self-paced program it is a college class and you will interact with other students in the class as well as the professor. Per the course syllibus, you will have specific goals to be accomlished each week. The pace is fast and the course more rigorous than regular nursing school.

Some states insist that only one ISU clinical be taken at a time; others states have other requirements. As to how long it will take you to acquire your BSN all depends on whether or not you have a bachelors or what schedule you will be on. The LPN to BSN course has a minimum of 6 clinicals and there are other non clinical classes, also. After the first semester there is a break and non nursing courses are taken the second semester. The 3rd semester and until graduation you will be taking the required nursing classes/clinicals.

If you have questions, look at the ISU distant learning LPN to BSN website that discusses when and what must be done..still have questions, call the 800 # that ISU has published. The woman who answers (Millie) can answer your questions about the LPN to BSN distant learning program.

Again, you do not need buy the TCN books for the challenge exams; TCN charges about $2000-2500 for the 4 study guides.

If you are ready to take the challenge courses, you must first register at ISU, submit all your transcripts (make sure that ISU receives all yoru transcripts because they will not tell you if anything is misssing). You will be issued a DARS, which spells out what you are given credit for and what classes must still be taken. After all this is done, you are ready to talk to the nursing department about what must be done to take the challenge exams.

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Hi I have been reading all of your posts & I am on the verge of transferring to ISU just because of their online program. I am currently in an LPN-BSN program and have the 4 semesters ahead of me, I have completed all pre-req's so I have only core nursing classes to go but my husband is convinced that I should do whatever it takes to get into ISU. I admit is sounds great however after reading your post I feel like it may not be worth the time at home. I have taken many online classes before and have always been successful but it is very intimidation. Thanks for the advice on the challenge exams b/c that is the only thing I have left to complet before I can get started at ISU but I was wondering how your clinical hours were going? is it really easy to find a preceptor and how convinient is it for you to schedule clinical time? I have done a TON of research on the ISU website and did actually know that Transition has a pharm component but did not realize just how much has to be done. Thanks for any input! :)

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hi i have been reading all of your posts & i am on the verge of transferring to isu just because of their online program. i am currently in an lpn-bsn program and have the 4 semesters ahead of me, i have completed all pre-req's so i have only core nursing classes to go but my husband is convinced that i should do whatever it takes to get into isu. i admit is sounds great however after reading your post i feel like it may not be worth the time at home. i have taken many online classes before and have always been successful but it is very intimidation. thanks for the advice on the challenge exams b/c that is the only thing i have left to complet before i can get started at isu but i was wondering how your clinical hours were going? is it really easy to find a preceptor and how convinient is it for you to schedule clinical time? i have done a ton of research on the isu website and did actually know that transition has a pharm component but did not realize just how much has to be done. thanks for any input! :)

you did not mention where you are located. if you are in a metro city with many rn schools, it is far more difficult to be placed in a clinical. this is the problem that the isu clinical coordinator is having--the many nursing (rn & lvn) schools in the area are monopolizing the hospitals. it has been said that it is easier to be placed in a small hospital outside of a large metro city. most nursing programs are not interested in placing students in a small facility.

as far as intimidation, if you are worried, take the transition course first without doing the assessment course. take the assessment separately; taken together the two are a handful. it is very true that the transition is also a pharm class. i wish it were not so because many of us have found we are concentrating on pharm not the transition portion of the course. normally the transition course is one or two units. with the pharm portion, the units for the class has increased to 3 or 4.

you must find the bsn proctor for the assessment (aka the lab) portion of the clinical (which can be done anyplace--at home, etc.) isu will provide the preceptor and clinical placement. both transition and assessment have proctored exams, and finding a facility is fairly easy because many colleges and universities have distant learning facilities and enable non enrolled students to use their facilities--for a nominal fee. there are other companies who also offer distant learning proctoring as well as pearson's testing centers.

make sure that your state recognizes isu's distant learning lpn to bsn program before you enroll.

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Hello LadyinScrubs, I been researching info. on this ISU vs TCN. and found that the info. you have given so far has been very very helpful.. just wanted to start off first by saying thank you so much..... second. I'm still a little confused about the challenge & assessment exams...

Once I submitt necessary documents to ISU.. will they contact me to schedule challenge exams & and protocal exams ? How many exams are there ? .. When do I take the assessment exams ? how many are there? Whut do I take first .. transition, assessment, or challenge exams ?.... Oh sorry forgot to mention, I already have my LPN, and AS in General Studies.

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I am in the LVN/LPN to BSN progam at ISU. I already have my bachelors and all my preprequisites so after taking 4 challenge courses, I am enrolled in LPN/LVN transition and an assessment class. Once these classes are over, I will be admitted as a full time student..until then all new students are termporarily admitted until these classes are finished.

I am impressed, so far, with the program. I have been in a brick and motar BSN program and family sickness caused me to have to quit. Quite honestly, the ISU program is more rigorous than a regular brick and motar program. It should not be since distant learning students are learning the same material that regular nursing students learn. Nevertheless, I have been very busy with the program, but ISU is doing all it can to provide a quality program and links to videos, etc. Clearly, their IT dept is excellent. I have never taken any other DL classes, but am quite impressed.

The one thing I would advise others considering ISU is when you are admitted, take only the transition course by its self and then the next semester take he assessment class independently. The first month of the two classes I was slammed with papers, reports, posting on discussion boards, and taking numerous quizes and exams. It was a shock as I am accustomed to only a midterm and final in my previous university classes. I would imagine the surprise was even larger for those students who have little ones and work full time. I wish I had only taken one class the first semester, whcih would allow me to ease into the program.

I actually enjoy distant learning and it gives me the freedom I need, but you must be motivated. As the first two classes have shown, one must keep up and not fall behind. Every week we have goals and must post our work on line before a specific time. Miss that window and you the website evaporates. You will get no credit or points when a deadline is missed.

If anyone needs more info, feel free to contact me.

Hello LadyinScrubs, I been researching info. on this ISU vs TCN. and found that the info. you have given so far has been very very helpful.. just wanted to start off first by saying thank you so much..... second. I'm still a little confused about the challenge & assessment exams...

Once I submitt necessary documents to ISU.. will they contact me to schedule challenge exams & and protocal exams ? How many exams are there ? .. When do I take the assessment exams ? how many are there? Whut do I take first .. transition, assessment, or challenge exams ?.... Oh sorry forgot to mention, I already have my LPN, and AS in General Studies.

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Hello LadyinScrubs, I been researching info. on this ISU vs TCN. and found that the info. you have given so far has been very very helpful.. just wanted to start off first by saying thank you so much..... second. I'm still a little confused about the challenge & assessment exams...

Once I submitt necessary documents to ISU.. will they contact me to schedule challenge exams & and protocal exams ? How many exams are there ? .. When do I take the assessment exams ? how many are there? Whut do I take first .. transition, assessment, or challenge exams ?.... Oh sorry forgot to mention, I already have my LPN, and AS in General Studies.

any info. will be helpful... Once again thanx for taking time and helping others....

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