ISU or Excelsior?

NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN · Sep 18, 2014

I believe that the only thing needed on your part is to contact the registrar's office and withdraw officially if you've changed your mind about Excelsior. Those new changes are definitely hard pills to swallow, given the fact that its examination-based curriculum is what attracted so many of us in the first place. I have no experience with ISU except for remembering that their chemistry requirement was an immediate turn-off for me prior to my decision to move forward with Excelsior a few year ago.

Good luck to you!

Editorial Team / Moderator · Sep 18, 2014

There is an ISU forum on allnurses that will likely interest you: Indiana State University Online Nursing

Just be aware that, like EC, some states have reservations about distance programs and don't recognize the degree/RN credential. There is information on that here: Indiana State University : Department of Baccalaureate Nursing Completion : LPN-BS.

Overall, you have to do what is best for you! ISU wasn't an option for me because I was (am) a paramedic, not an LPN. But with all these changes at EC? I would have to think long and hard about it these days!!

Wildstar2001 · Sep 19, 2014

Can you tell me about the new changes that EC have coming and when please?

Editorial Team / Moderator · Sep 19, 2014

Can you tell me about the new changes that EC have coming and when please?

You can read about the changes here: Excelsior College | Nursing Theory Examination Changes

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Sep 20, 2014

ISU hybrid online program is only available for current LPNs to bridge to BSN and current ASN/RNs to bridge to BSN. They have an ABSN for those with a bachelors or masters in another field but it is on campus only.

As far as I know the only distance learning bridge to ASN/RN program that accepts LPNs paramedics RRT and certain military medics is Excelsior. All other programs that I've seen that permit RRT or medic to bridge to RN are campus based or hybrid (online theory with local concurrent in person clinical and campus lab). Going forward, the current admissions requirements list only paramedics, currently licensed LPN/LVN and specific categories of military corpsman/medics as eligible for admission. The option for RRT and those who completed 50% of a traditional RN program including clinical appears to no longer exist

Those currently in EC's program that won't complete by July 2015 (or at least register & pay for the challenge exams and take them by Dec 2015) need to assess the upcoming requirement changes to see if they meet with their needs and goals. These new seminar requirements will extend completion time and increase out of pocket costs (it's unlikely that mandatory seminars would be covered by financial aid just like the challenge exams are not covered). Plus there is a limit to the number of challenge exams academic advising will approve to register for at one time.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Sep 21, 2014

As far as I know the only distance learning bridge to ASN/RN program that accepts LPNs paramedics RRT and certain military medics is Excelsior.

RRT is actually no longer listed on EC's admissions page: http://www.excelsior.edu/admissions/requirements?degree=associate&school=nursing&status=no

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Sep 21, 2014

RRT is actually no longer listed on EC's admissions page: http://www.excelsior.edu/admissions/requirements?degree=associate&school=nursing&status=no

Edited my post to reflect that earlier. I wasn't surprised they removed the eligibility for those who partially completed an RN program with 50% clinical and theory successfully completed. I don't think there were as many applicants once they mandated that you must have left in good standing with a passing grade in all classes.