Anyone did the Indiana State University LPN to BSN online?

Nursing Students Indiana (ISU)

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I'm thinking of getting my RN online and looking at doing it through excelsior college or indiana state university? Alot of people been giving advice about excelsior but does anyone know anything about indian state university and there program?

So I'm not sure what the deal is with ISU. I've been very interested in their LPN-to-BSN program; however, I haven't had any success talking to ISU. I've called several times and either get a busy signal once the voicemail system transfers me or I'm sent to an extension for a "Kimbler" and end up getting the voice mail for a "Cook". That's confusing. Not even sure if I ended up in the right voicemail box. Then, I leave a message (I've YET to talk to an actual human being at ISU) after which I've been bombarded with voicemails and emails from The College Network.

Some people on here have mentioned dealing with ISU directly and not using TCN. How is that even possible? Trying to get to ISU is like trying to navigate through a voicemail system of the federal gov't. I simply cannot seem to get to the people that I want and I'm routinely being fed back to TCN. I even left a voicemail specifying that I'm not interested in talking to the college network yet, but that I want to speak to ISU about their program and then I'll decide if I need the TCN middleman. Never heard back from ISU.

So as appealing as an LPN-to-BSN program that is accepted in most states sounds, I'm suspicious of how smoothly the program with ISU would be. If I can't even speak to someone on the phone BEFORE they get my money, once they've already got it, what can I expect?

I think I'll have to walk away and try someone else's program. I'm really looking at Lamar in Texas now.

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north said:

So i'm not sure what the deal is with isu. I've been very interested in their lpn-to-bsn program; however, I haven't had any success talking to isu. I've called several times and either get a busy signal once the voicemail system transfers me or I'm sent to an extension for a "kimbler" and end up getting the voice mail for a "cook". That's confusing. Not even sure if I ended up in the right voicemail box. Then, I leave a message (I've yet to talk to an actual human being at isu) after which I've been bombarded with voicemails and emails from the college network.

Some people on here have mentioned dealing with isu directly and not using tcn. How is that even possible? Trying to get to isu is like trying to navigate through a voicemail system of the federal gov't. I simply cannot seem to get to the people that I want and I'm routinely being fed back to tcn. I even left a voicemail specifying that I'm not interested in talking to the college network yet, but that I want to speak to isu about their program and then I'll decide if I need the tcn middleman. Never heard back from isu.

So as appealing as an lpn-to-bsn program that is accepted in most states sounds, I'm suspicious of how smoothly the program with isu would be. If I can't even speak to someone on the phone before they get my money, once they've already got it, what can I expect?

I think I'll have to walk away and try someone else's program. I'm really looking at lamar in texas now.

You do not need tcn to attend isu. Now if you have prerequisites that must be completed, sometimes it is easier to use tcn or use clep to test out of the class--if that option is available. I am not suprised that you have received no information from isu and instead they gave your private information to a private, for profit company called the college network. This seems to be the norm for the program. Read the other posts here about isu, and you should get some good advice.

Now, if they isu, kimber and/or cook will not talk to you, go to the isu lpn to bsn program website. Look at the info there. It discusses the requirements for the nursing program and the challenge exams. You must be accepted into the university and must have the gen educational requirements or must take them at isu, clep out, or take them at some other college. To enter the nursing program, you must test out of 4 classes (aka challenge exams). You do not need tcn to study for the program, and isu should provide a study guide as well as a list of the books to study from.

As far as not getting a live person to call you back, what can be said. The quality of the administration is reflected on the people the administration hires. The education the program offers is excellent although it is very rigorous and has so much busy work built in that it is advised to take 1 class a semester. There are some other problems, such as the clinical placements must be obtained by the student.

Before you can do anything, apply to the university, get your student id and have your colleges submit formal transcripts so they can be evaluated. Only after this is done, can you really know what you need to take to enter into the program. Tcn can send out a sales person who will do an evaluation of your transcripts, etc. And advise you what you need to take to enter into the program. You must be aware that this person is called a representative, but is actually a sales person for tcn and gets a cut on what you buy. Plus this sales person is not a university counselor and may give you bad advise based on a vested interest. If you do turn to tcn for advice, do not sign up for anything no matter how appealing the inducements are. If you decide to go the expensive tcn route, the availability will be available in a week or a month. Sleep on your decision and do some research--then decide. Tcn wants your money, the representative wants a split of your money, and you do not need tcn. You have the power. Don't let them make you think that tcn is the only way into isu.

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Ladyinscrubs, I am in California and I am looking to do a lvn-bsn. I was very interested in the clinical aspect of the program. Is it hard to get clinical sites, you say it is provided for us but do we have to wait a great length of time for them? On the website it lists 11 courses for "required nursing courses for hte major" are you stating that people should take 1 of these a semester? Meaning 11 semesters to complete?

I am also considering the west coast university since they are now wasc accredited.

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hbanana said:
Ladyinscrubs, I am in California and I am looking to do a lvn-bsn. I was very interested in the clinical aspect of the program. Is it hard to get clinical sites, you say it is provided for us but do we have to wait a great length of time for them? On the website it lists 11 courses for "required nursing courses for hte major" are you stating that people should take 1 of these a semester? Meaning 11 semesters to complete?

I am also considering the west coast university since they are now wasc accredited.

West Coast University - you could buy a house for the cost the tuition they charge. Last I heard it was $140,000 and there is no guarantee you will graduate or be employed. If you have the money, it is your choice however remember those student loans are due one you stop taking classes and/or graduate.

I suggest that you or someone open up different isu link(s) on allnurses for each of the isu required classes students must take. Say if you wanted information about n324 (med surg) you could start a thread and ask for information from students taking that class. If you wanted info about the assessment class, research class, public health, do the same thing. That is the only way you can get specific information from current students and determine whether you want to take one or two classes a semester. I can state that if i had the option, I would take one class a semester--this statement is made by a student with an excellent gpa and other degrees.

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I was supposed to start the LVN to BSN program at WCU this January. I was so excited in passing the HESI exam and got my hopes up after waiting to get in to a program for 3 years. Well, what a disappointment. Apparently I qualified for a good amount of financial aid, only to find out that it didn't cover half the cost of tuition. I needed to find a co-signer. They went on to say that 99% of their students used a strong Co-signer for a private loan to cover the cost. Who in their right mind would Co-sign for an $70,000 loan? I know I wouldn't. So they gave me another option. To pay cash! Okay? $2,000 month. Really? That means I would have to work 5/12 hour days to equal 60 hours a week. So when will I have time to study and be successful in the program? I couldn't do it. So now I applied for the LVN to 30 unit option at my local community college. I have to wait till the end of May to find out if I get in or not. Wish me luck.

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LadyinScrubs,

Thanks for your reply to my post. I found the info you shared to be very helpful. :)

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Hi LadyInScrubs,

West Coast University manages the process of assigning students to clinical rotations that prepare them for the responsibilities of being an RN- this is not something the student has to set up his or herself. The planning for clinical rotations occurs in advance of the term in which the student will complete that clinical, so generally there is not a delay. As long as you stay on track academically, and meet University and clinical facility policies, you should be able to plan on a graduation date! If you have any questions about clinical rotations, or any other course, you may visit our website or contact one of our campuses.

Thank you.

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[b said:

West Coast University manages the process of assigning students to clinical rotations that prepare them for the responsibilities of being an RN - this is not something the student has to set up his or herself. The planning for clinical rotations occurs in advance of the term in which the student will complete that clinical, so generally there is not a delay. As long as you stay on track academically, and meet university and clinical facility policies, you should be able to plan on a graduation date! if you have any questions about clinical rotations, or any other course, you may visit our website or contact one of our campuses.

Thank you.

I appreciate the information that wcu provides clinical rotations for your brick and mortar nursing students. Isu does the same for their brick and mortar students. The ISU lvn to bsn distance learning program does the same -- that is, california dl students do not arrange for clinical rotations and assignment to those rotations occur in advance of the term, per a mandate by the ca bon when isu got recognized as a dl provider. In california, the ISU program is known as the Sanoma State University/Indiana State University lvn to bsn distance learning program. The cost, for the core nursing program is about $15,000--which does not include gen ed classes.

Let's compare apples to apples not to oranges. If west coast univ were a distant learning program authorized by the ca bon, then we could do a direct comparison, but it is not. Nevertheless, the tuition at west coast univ is about 9 times the cost of the tuition for in the ssu/isu distance learning program for ca lvns to bsn students.

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AngLVN said:
I was supposed to start the LVN to BSN program at WCU this January. I was so excited in passing the HESI exam and got my hopes up after waiting to get in to a program for 3 years. Well, what a disappointment. Apparently I qualified for a good amount of financial aid, only to find out that it didn't cover half the cost of tuition. I needed to find a co-signer. They went on to say that 99% of their students used a strong Co-signer for a private loan to cover the cost. Who in their right mind would Co-sign for an $70,000 loan? I know I wouldn't. So they gave me another option. To pay cash! Okay? $2,000 month. Really? That means I would have to work 5/12 hour days to equal 60 hours a week. So when will I have time to study and be successful in the program? I couldn't do it. So now I applied for the LVN to 30 unit option at my local community college. I have to wait till the end of May to find out if I get in or not. Wish me luck.

99% of the students need a cosigner for a $70,000 loan--what about the other $40,000 tuition?

I am certain you are aware, but let me mention: the 30 unit option is exactly the same program, without the prerequisites for the degree. However, once you finish the program you will not graduate nor receive your ADN. You will get a certificate. Plus, you cannot practice outside California with only a 30 unit option certificate. That sounds good now, but with the way jobs are in California, you may be backing yourself into a corner.

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If you are interested i can pass on contact info I was given for ISU, for the nursing department. Her name is Stephanie Davis. The # is (812) 237-8963. I called that number and got a live person the first try, so maybe you will too. I have her email too, but I tried to email her but got no response so I would suggest calling first.

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Specializes in Hospice.

I went back to the 2 year school I got my LPN diploma and they proctored me for $35 for one exam and told me they may be able to work out a deal on the last 3 so I dont have to pay $35 for each exam. I guess I surprised the proctor, I took my mental hlth exam in 35 minutes although I had 3 hours and I passed.

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Specializes in Hospice.

I agree, once I was admitted, I didnt find it difficult to talk to someone, they actually called me once to let me know I was missing a couple of things and I got an email asking if I was going to finishing my challenge exams, and if i miss deadlines, they have successfully transferred my info into the following semester until I get all requirements met which all I have left to do is test out of 3 challenge exams, fax my cpr card and purchase .

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