Long-distance learning success stories?

[centralflorida]

I want to make sure I have this right - if I get an LPN license by going to a local school, and get my LPN-to-RN online, I could apply to all of the local hospitals just the same as if I went the regular two year route? And they will not hold the online degree against me at all, in any way, as long as I pass the NCLEX?

Is this how it has worked out for you guys? Have many of you finished up your degree and gotten hired already?

It sounds great, especially because not working for two years would be a real strain for me and my family (I've developed this habit of eating regularly, and I would like to keep doing so), so if I could get my LPN and work even a couple of 12 hour shifts while I studied for the RN, it would be a godsend.

[Mudwoman]

My state BON recognizes Excelsior. Excelsior is really designed for WORKING LPN/LVN's that are in a hospital setting. I worked at a local hospital as an LPN, then left for a little over a year for another job and during that time, I completed the EC program and graduated. I went back to the hospital and was hired that day with my choice of floor and shift. (Don't ever burn bridges!) Yesterday, another LPN asked me if I thought I missed something by not having clinicals. I replied that after being a working LVN/LPN for 13 years, just how many more clinicals did I need?

I was hired at $4 hour more than the new grads.

[centralflorida]

Thanks, Mudwoman. What I was planning on doing was getting my LPN license, getting a job as an LPN, and then applying to Excelsior. I imagine I'd work as an LPN for at least a few months before going to school, because I'd want to settle in, learn what I'm doing, make sure that I'm doing more good than harm...and then I'd work as I was taking classes. I'm just trying to avoid going two years without working, which would put a serious hurt on my finances.

[txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN]

boy ain't that the truth. i figure 10 years 40 hours a week let me see here ...gives me roughly 20,800 clinicals hours in various areas and situations...yeah , i think thats enough!!!

yesterday, another lpn asked me if i thought i missed something by not having clinicals. i replied that after being a working lvn/lpn for 13 years, just how many more clinicals did i need?

[Larabelle]

I got my LPN thru a local program. I worked as a LPN for 8 years and decided to go back for my RN. However the RN programs in my area were very selective related to admissions and had 2 year waiting lists. I heard about Excelsior thru a LPN peer and decided to investigate it. I continued working fulltime and enrolled in Excelsior. I never dropped below 40 hours a week of working and finished my RN thru Excelsior. I AM SOOO GLAD THAT EXCELSIOR WAS OUT THERE!! I loved the program. I finished the program in 1992 and I have never had a problem finding a job (in or out of a hospital). I did not study for the NCLEX and passed it on the first try. All of that LPN experience really paid off for the NCLEX. I also did not study for the CPNE and passed it on my first attempt. I just used common sense and did fine.