LPN to BSN @ Indiana State U...here is the info i got!!!

mitczak · Oct 26, 2009

Please, be very careful before start this program. I started about a year ago (completed phase I and starting testisng for phase II ), but I had to dropp it. I could not find any clinical site, I was very proactive, I called and e mailed maybe 15 sites with no luck. I did provide ISU with contacts , but I did not see any return or enough imput from them. Unless you already have a site and a preceptor who's willing to work with you, don't do it. I lost time and money. I agree with someone in the board who said that we do the job that ISU is paid to do it.
Today, I am in a Community College program and I regret the time that I spent with ISU. I live in chicago area.

Did you follow ISU's policy shown on http://www.indstate.edu/nhhs/contracts/clinical-agency-information.htm?

You should only have to complete the form to initiate a clinical contract...

http://indstate.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_4UYLor3XjEmYNtq&SVID=Prod

You don't have to email them?

novavida · Oct 26, 2009

Yes, I completed the for to initiate the contract( after I emailed the the information about the sites). actually, I tried to get in the current sites( listed in ISU clinical logistics) and I had no luck.

sparkle823tami · Nov 2, 2009

I'm looking to start phase III this spring. ISU has provided a list of approved clinical sites in Chicago area such as the VA hospital in Chicago. I'm curious how you got so far along in the program, then had to drop because of no clinical site, especially being in a big city? Did you contact the sites that were provided by ISU?

novavida · Nov 2, 2009

I will answer: I started this program last year, I had all pre-requisites, tested for TEAS, got acceptance letter, criminal background check, physical, tested out Nurs 106,etc. So, I started to call places to have a idea how I would complete my clinicals. Some places never returned my calls, others were tottaly surprised about it, some said I needed to have a preceptor to GO WITH ME, to clinicals,because no one would be responsible for a student at that facility .I talked to Kim Cook several times and she said that I was to worried about it . It was never explained to me that I needed to find a preceptor, I taught that I could go to any of the approved sites and they would have a preceptor set up. So, I decided to dropp it. Recently , I starting considering ISU again so I called admissions . This time another lady was very clear about it. She told me: The Student is totally responsible to find a Preceptor and in Illinois, you need someone with a master's degree to go with you for each clinical site and she told me that now they only consider your admission after you have test out all 4 nursing courses( phase II). So, I found out that for me the problem probally would not be the site but to find a preceptor. I don't know anybody with this disponibility, specially with a master's degree, so this program would not work for me. But your case could be different, if you have a preceptor the program may be perfect for you.

sparkle823tami · Nov 4, 2009

Chaxanmom, you seem to be the furthest along in the program, I was wondering if you could answer a few questions? Is it true that I need to find my own RN to be my preceptor, or do I just choose from the list provided by ISU? I hope the school does it, I hate to impose on people, it's a huge task to ask for. Also, I had been told originally that the phase III part of the program can be completed in either 9 months or 18 months, what time limit seems feasable now that you are actually in the program? Also is there any other information you could share to shed light on any other aspects of what to expect during phaseIII? Thanks in advance. :)

Pigskin_RN,BSN · Nov 4, 2009

Chaxanmom, you seem to be the furthest along in the program, I was wondering if you could answer a few questions? Is it true that I need to find my own RN to be my preceptor, or do I just choose from the list provided by ISU? I hope the school does it, I hate to impose on people, it's a huge task to ask for. Also, I had been told originally that the phase III part of the program can be completed in either 9 months or 18 months, what time limit seems feasable now that you are actually in the program? Also is there any other information you could share to shed light on any other aspects of what to expect during phaseIII? Thanks in advance. :)

I am in 3rd semester and am unaware of a 9 month program. I had all GE completed before entering the program except the upper level (300/400) classes, which is 5 classes and I won't finish until the end of next year. (I pray!) That puts me at 2 years to complete the program. I found my own facility for N324 clinical but the nurse manager of the unit assigned my preceptor. For N226, the CA contact for ISU set-up the contract and facility and preceptor. Not sure what is done outside of CA.

Not chaxanmom but thought I would give you my input.

ballerinagirl · Nov 4, 2009

I am truly baffled by the ISU system. If I go to the clinical sites on the list, do i just ask them to find me a preceptor that works there that meets the criteria? And what do they get in return? Because surely, I can't see any benefit -- it would be more of a burden on the clinical site.

Just don't wanna get laughed at like an alien from outer space. I can see it now: "you want to do what with a what? and you need a preceptor for what? hahahahahahahah dream on - all our potential preceptors have 12 patients a piece. you're welcome to help clean out the bedpans for free."

LOL

chaxanmom · Nov 4, 2009

Your best bet is going to a teaching hospital. I didn't have a problem finding preceptors but I've heard Chicago and California are more difficult. In both facilities the unit nurse manager just assigns you a preceptor and you work that preceptor's schedule. It's not unheard of for independent students to work with a preceptor. I guess a lot of schools do that for the final practicum.

sparkle823tami · Nov 4, 2009

I am in 3rd semester and am unaware of a 9 month program. I had all GE completed before entering the program except the upper level (300/400) classes, which is 5 classes and I won't finish until the end of next year. (I pray!) That puts me at 2 years to complete the program. I found my own facility for N324 clinical but the nurse manager of the unit assigned my preceptor. For N226, the CA contact for ISU set-up the contract and facility and preceptor. Not sure what is done outside of CA.
Not chaxanmom but thought I would give you my input.

Thanks RiversideCa-LVN - good luck on graduating - keep us informed!

sparkle823tami · Nov 6, 2009

I am in 3rd semester and am unaware of a 9 month program. I had all GE completed before entering the program except the upper level (300/400) classes, which is 5 classes and I won't finish until the end of next year. (I pray!) That puts me at 2 years to complete the program. I found my own facility for N324 clinical but the nurse manager of the unit assigned my preceptor. For N226, the CA contact for ISU set-up the contract and facility and preceptor. Not sure what is done outside of CA.
Not chaxanmom but thought I would give you my input.

RiversideCa-LVN, Could you help shed some light on exactly what is expected from your preceptor. Is it a lot of work for them? It seems like a huge inconvenience for somebody to do without the benfits of getting paid for teaching. I'm not officially accepted into the program yet, but am beginning my search for a preceptor and just not clear on what it is I am looking for. Would you be able to elaborate on a clinical experience? Thank you

Tammy

mitczak · Nov 6, 2009

RiversideCa-LVN, Could you help shed some light on exactly what is expected from your preceptor. Is it a lot of work for them? It seems like a huge inconvenience for somebody to do without the benfits of getting paid for teaching. I'm not officially accepted into the program yet, but am beginning my search for a preceptor and just not clear on what it is I am looking for. Would you be able to elaborate on a clinical experience? Thank you
Tammy

The preceptor is not supposed to teach.

Pigskin_RN,BSN · Nov 6, 2009

RiversideCa-LVN, Could you help shed some light on exactly what is expected from your preceptor. Is it a lot of work for them? It seems like a huge inconvenience for somebody to do without the benfits of getting paid for teaching. I'm not officially accepted into the program yet, but am beginning my search for a preceptor and just not clear on what it is I am looking for. Would you be able to elaborate on a clinical experience? Thank you
Tammy

Not a problem sparkle823tami! I had the privilege of having clinicals at Loma Linda which is a wonderful teaching hospital. Their RNs are very used to have students because the University has a BSN program, med school, NP program, MSN program, dental school, you name it! The nurse manager assigned the preceptor based on their experience and ability to work with students. I was so extremely lucky!!!! I had the most wonderful RN on the planet!! He was patient, understanding, knowledgable, great teacher, wonderful personality, and always allowed me the opportunity to learn new skills. He was required to fill out 2 evaluations and look over the syllabus and skills required to pass clinical. The preceptor really does not have that much work to do, except watch or follow you. It was just like LVN school, except I had my own personal teacher at all times. Personally, as a registry nurse I have had LVN students on my unit and I love having students so if you find the right facility you will be just fine.