B careful LPN-RN Online

Nurses LPN/LVN

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Some states (like CA....) WILL NOT recognize a ADN or BSN from online schools. Be sure you know that you won't be moving to one of those states in the future. I was going to go this route, but then I found out some states wouldn't accept my degree and axed the idea. I would hate for ANY OF US to work so hard to get our degrees then not be able to use it-you'd have to get your ADN/BSN all OVER again in that state. ALso, some states require ADDITIONAL clinical hours too-for example, CO requires 400 ADDITIONAL clinical HOURS!!!! OMG!!!!! Anyway-do your homework. I don't know which way states are going with this. I have heard more are going to accept online degrees and I have heard the opposite that more are going to DECLINE/not accept these degrees.

GOOD LUCK to you either way you go though-keep in mind too that many community colleges have accelerated programs for LPNS and usually have advanced placement. MEaning, you'd get the seat before a NON-LPN ( I am sure some things could interfere with that.)

Specializes in Knuckle Dragging Nurse aka MTA.
I would rather go the old school route. Im not with the online education.

Some of us work fulltime and have families. Going to school the old fashion way is not possible for everyone. Online learning is a godsend.

Specializes in Knuckle Dragging Nurse aka MTA.
Dear Chip,

I'm not saying it doesn't work, I'm saying California doesn't accept Excelsior as a reputable form of nursing school. And also what i'm saying is it may have worked for you, but would not work for me. It may have worked for thousands of people who are now nurses, but I've also heard horror stories about it and I'm simply warning people of the risks they take when going into a program like that. If you choose to take the Excelsior program and it works for you, great! But if you get to the other end and wind up not passing the clinical section of it, and repeatedly, like a few people I know, then it doesn't work for those people and it's been a waste of their time. Might only be a selected few, but I'm not about to take that risk with my education or my pocketbook. If's and maybe's at the tune of thousands of dollars hinged on 1 mistake, to me aren't worth it. And to say that one person that takes the excelsior program and cares about patients and ensinuate that people who aren't comfortable with that type of arena don't, isn't right either. It may have worked for you, and bravo to you. However, I'd much rather go the traditional way, get the degree and the clinical experience along the way, rather than try to prove I know what I'm doing with someone standing over my shoulder watching every little thing i'm doing. But that's just me.

Wayne.

I worked with an Excelsior trained RN that would run circles around the other RN's that attended reg RN schools. Her skill level far exceeded theirs. Its a shame The california RN board shut out excelsior grads.

Specializes in ED, ICU/DOU/Tele, M/S, Gero/Psych.

Yeah it is, it seemed to be a popular way of getting your RN...

Wayne.

Hi Wayne. I found your version of online learning a bit off base from the online program I am currently attending. I understand anyone being leary of the prospect of online learning. I myself was not thrilled with the idea when I started my program almost a year ago (2 more weeks til I can sit for NCLEX-PN, then another year to my ASN-RN) However, I can assure you I have spent many, many hours working at this program. Clinical experiences started in the second semester with real hands on experience. The theory portion that you sit in class for is the only learning we actually do "online". I live close to my school so I don't experience the 3-4 day validation experience you mentioned, but I can tell you that those students who do live out of state will go through this in addition to clinical experiences set up in their home town. As far as going cheap charley, my school currently charges more for online classes than they do for oncampus classes and I am paying a whopping $485.00 per credit hour. EEEK

While I will admit there are some glitches with my online program, I would not call it cheap and I would not call it easy and I would certainly not call it less time consuming. If anything, I spend more time on these classes than any I ever took on campus, because there is less direction which means you either put in the study hours and learn as much as you can or you fail. All in all I do agree that "you get what you pay for and you get what you put the time into back out of it". But I would say that goes for all programs, not just online learning.

I totally agree with:

"you get what you pay for and you get what you put the time into back out of it".

Good post and good luck on your NCLEX, you will do fine! I did 19000 study review questions before I sat for my NCLEX, passed the first time with 85 questions. About a week before the NCLEX, I stopped and did normal stuff other than nursing to calm my mind. The day of the test I was nervous, however, 5 other of my friends were there taking the NCLEX as well, so that helped a little. Best thing I can suggest is narrow down your choices and think what is going to kill that person first. Kinda odd saying that, however, I always got the question correct after thinking that way. Here in CA we have to wait for our results, so I went on vacation, came back and passed with ease.

Since then, now I am working on my BSN on my way to becoming an anesthetist after that.

Thanks for the good wishes. I will take all I can get. My school preps us with ATI testing this week and then I can sit for boards. I have no idea how many practice exams and test review questions I've done so far, but it doesn't feel like enough, but I'll keep your advice in mind re: what is going to kill the person first ;) Good luck with your BSN. I can't wait til I'm there. The anesthetist program looks really intense, but very rewarding. Good Luck to you.

Anesthetist are in very, very high demand at the moment. I would have gone on to become an M.D., however, I am in my late thirties, too old. I am almost on the edge for anesthetist as well, but it is now or never. Most surveys put the the upper end of the group at 37 or so and coming from an career change. For example, around me are some programs with former jet pilots, Marketing and Sales, Finance, etc.. But where I live is kinda odd anyway almost everyone here has a Masters and comes from another land.

It it practically impossible to get into some LVN, RN and MD programs here being very competitive. For example, I can name more than 3 colleges here that only have 30 slots for students but receive over 5000+ applications for entrance with some people repeat applicants. You can have a 4.0 GPA and it wouldn't matter because of the lottery factor, which ends up you get skipped over. One of my friends is a prime example like above and skipped 3 times, finally last month for the fourth time excepted. That process took over 5 years. I know another college here that has a 7 year waiting list. Teachers are high in demand, but low on pay and cost of living is high. I live six miles from Stanford University so I am well within the distance of over 30+ schools in the area.

But, one big sigh from me..........this is something that you have to except and that is another reason why online courses are a choice for others.

I would rather be in a classroom setting no matter how much it costs, because you get it all back in the long run anyway, but the programs are so hard to get into.

I think an important thing to try out is; is online right for you first?

My first class was an online course. Lucky me discovered early that I couldn't stand taking a class on the computer... I wanted to break the computer...And so, I'm glad i wasted $240.00 rather than investing on thousands of dollorS....

Just my 2 cents,

KAL

Specializes in Cardiology, oncology, urgent care, pain.

The ASN programs here in are DIFFICULT and picky to get into. I have jumped through the hoops and still yet, another hoop pops up! FRUSTRATING! So, 3 years ago, I started Excelsior College. If you can read a book front to back and pass a 160 pass/fail test, then go for it. It was NOT for me! I need classroom. The Clinical portion is a killer and demanding. If you screw one thing up, you are done. And you have to travel unless they have a proctor in your state. I would have to travel 6 hours for an all weekend fri/sun clinical in a hopsital I was not familiar with and no one I knew. I have practiced in 2 hospitals and 1 urgent care and they are ALL Different! and in 3 different states. I have heard horror stories and success stories from EC, but it was not for me. I did do my Microbiology on line through BYU and I found out from the LPN-ASN program I am trying to get into that the micro and computer class I took on line are NOT accepted and will have to REPEATED at my cost!

I live 40 mins from Indy and checked into the ISU LPN/RN program and be careful! There is some classroom work involved per their director.

The Indiana State University LVN-BSN online program is approved in CA and was done so on Feb 16th.

the clinical hours are done at a local facility of your choice and you will shadow a preceptor. So, you'll be online learning how to do it and then go do the clinical hours and actually do it.

that is how this got approved! Plus, Indiana State and Sonoma State are working together to make sure that the facility i choose is a California approved clinical site. If it's not for some reason, there is a clinical coordinator who will get it set up.

I actually need some of my general education courses and i'm going through the College Network...Indiana State recommended that i call them. they have some partnership and provide the study materials for what they call Phase 1 and Phase 2. My monthly payment is around $150 and i have to pay a testing fee when i go 'test out' of my class. Then, once i enroll with Indiana State to do the nursing classes, online, i can apply for FULL federal financial aid!

I'm so excited

i live 40 mins from indy and checked into the isu lpn/rn program and be careful! there is some classroom work involved per their director.

the indiana state program is an lpn/lvn to bsn program...not rn program. plus, there are no campus visits...ever. now, since you live 40 minutes from indy and you live in the same state as the college, you would have the choice of going to campus if you choose. otherwise, the only reason you would go to campus is if you choose to go to the graduation.

Why take out a loan when you can get it for free?

To me, it sound like the College Network will work well for YOU! You offered many pros to the program. I really think it is an individual choice. It is too bad that more people like you have not spoken out about there opinion on the College Network. You also said you hadn't started the program, so that is great that you have offered you opinion. Most of the posts about the college network is however from people who are already in the program and are offering there opinion about there success or failure. Some people like myself, want to do extensive research before taking a big step. I came to the conclusion that the College Network was not for me because of the these factors:

1 - The per course (per book) charge is very expensive. I looked through one of the books they offered and saw very few pictures (some people are visual learners).

My Alternative, to this? Why pay almost $500 when you can get it for much cheaper and get more for free. Example, lets take Chemistry. Search the Internet for a video course on Chemistry. Lets move it one more notch, Want to go to UC Berkley for free? UC Berkley is just one of many sites that offer all the real classes that regular in house students use totally online and for free. So the first step is to go to class. Feel free to visit and use this link. http://webcast.berkeley.edu/courses.php . You can even follow along in real time, buy the real college book and do the homework just like the students without really going to UC Berkley. Your like a phantom student.

Part two of of section 1 - Why pay almost $500 when you can get the CLEP books for free. Major companies make the clep books and you can find reviews about them and see how they are working out for people from places like your Library or at Amazon.com. The military uses the CLEP system quite widely, if you search you can find many clep books and study aids free online, example: http://www.petersons.com/pdf/free/ClepSuccess.pdf

2 - Why pay for college when you can get it for free. Many respected teachers love to share and help. So they make course online for free. These free programs are interactive, which means you can actually ask questions when you are stuck for a person with a Phd. Example:

http://www.free-ed.net/free-ed/FreeEdIDX.asp

http://staff.southwest.tn.edu/kfoster/links_4.htm

http://www.freeuniv.com/

3- Gotta study right? There are hundreds of them on Google and yahoo. Many of which have been reviewed so you know if the books are useful or a waste of your time.

4- You might say this is a lot of research to accomplish these items above. Well, Yes it is, and if you look online under "research and learning" you will find that hands on education makes the difference. By doing this you are tayloring a program to yourself, and making an online study program work and fit your lifestyle.

5 - The college network offers a guarantee that you won't fail. And after a certain amount of times taking the exam you get a tutor. The fact here is, why are you failing? If you are trying to learn why not pass the first time. If you put in 100% why did you fail? Why wait to fail the test 3 times before you get a tutor. Get a tutor FREE now as they are available simply by searching yahoo or google. Many state libraries offer state funded programs.

6 - A Contract! I don't want a contract. Lets face it, do you know if the college network is going to work for you? Why risk it, when you can do the above and risk little money and have No contract. If it doesn't work for you then you really haven't lost anything.

7 - Books are heavy, They collect dust and hurt my back. I don't want to lug around books. This is the digital age. I want to put everything onto a USB stick or a laptop and take it with me. Not just 1 subject book. Try doing this with the College Network, you are going to hurt your back. These days most everything is available online in PDF format.

8 - Study time. We all know that for every hour of school lecture time you need to put in 2 hours of study time. With the college network there is no lecture time, just the book. This may work for some but others....

9 - Why limit yourself to one source of material. Why spend more and get less when you can spend less and get more!

10 - with my alternative I save upto $12000 and no contract

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