LPN wanting to obtain RN

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  1. Nursing Schools vs Online Programs

    • 3
      College/University/School of Nursing
    • 0
      Excelsior/Achieve TP/College Network

3 members have participated

Fellow nurses-

I am currently an LPN looking to obtain my RN. Please no negative comments; I'm just asking for helpful advice!

I have 2 options. I can go to a college/university, or I can attend an online program. I'm currently working in a hospital but can possibly drop to casual/part time for school. So... which is better?

Full time or part time classes?

Hospital based or university based program?

Recommendations near Pittsburgh area

Any former Excelsior students?

What about college network or achieve test prep?

Clarion university, Indiana university of pa, lock haven, Westmoreland ccc, CCAC, citizen's school of nursing, west penn school of nursing, st Margaret school of nursing, etc. Any nurses out there attended any of these schools? Or have any recommendations?

Excelsior, ATP, CN students - what's it really like? How difficult are clinicals? Do you feel like you're learning anything? Pros and cons?

Seriously, any input from current or former students and/or nurses would be helpful! I've been an LPN for 2 years now. I'm only going to be 23 and I'm SO anxious to be an RN already!

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I am in Texas and did LVN-RN program thru a local community college - maybe check that route. I personally would go with whatever is the least expensive way and what will allow you to sit for NCLEX. The cost for to attend community college was maybe $3000?? I was always leary of some of these private programs - they seem very expensive and have heard stories of people spending time, energy and money and then not being able to take the NCLEX because the program was not recognized by BON or even coming out of one of these programs with thousands of dollars in debt.

Does your hospital have a LVN-RN program? If it does I would check into that first - I imagine going thru your hospital program would be better for you since you need to work, usually those types of programs are designed for people like you that still need to work and go to school at same time.

Good Luck to you!

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College Network or other test prep companies, stay away from. Excelsior: save as your last option. Go from there with your evaluation of which program is best for you.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

College Network and Achieve Test Prep are NOT schools, they are scammy ways of separating you from your hard-earned money. Avoid as you would the Plague (bubonic OR pneumonic).

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Specializes in Hematology-oncology.

Check to see if a school is accredited before you pay tuition. Schools should be nationally accredited by either ACEN or CCNE. Also, make sure they approved by your state board of nursing, otherwise you won't be able to sit for NCLEX (pretty much every nationally accredited school is also state approved, but it was worth mentioning).

Many community colleges have agreements with a regional university. This means that you can graduate from a community college with an associate degree in nursing, and then your credits will transfer should you wish to get your BSN at a later date. This is definitely the cheapest way to go, and helps you avoid the super competitive traditional 4 year BSN programs.

How many credits you take per semester is really up to you and what you think you can handle. For my first degree, I worked 24 hours per week and went to school full time (14-17 credits per semester). When I returned to school for my RN to BSN I worked full time, and took 7-9 credit hours per semester. I do know super humans who work full time and go to school full time. I'd probably go insane, but they don't seem to have yet. :p

At any rate, best wishes on your road to being a registered nurse! :)

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Specializes in LTC, Hospice, Case Management.

Everyone's situation is different with different things to factor in. I was an LPN for 19 years and then completed the Excelsior program to get my RN, in 2005(College Network and other test preps are not colleges and do not give degrees - they charge you outrageous fees for a study program but the degree still comes from Excelsior. Admittedly some of their test prep stuff is good but you should be able to find some of it on ebay for a fraction of original cost).

When I started Excelsior I had a full time job, a needy husband and 2 little kids. I still call my Excelsior my midnight diploma because that's when I studied the most. You have to be extremely disciplined and you have to be willing and capable of teaching yourself. Personally, I feel I did learn and I had no difficulty passing NCLEX first try with 75 questions (but how much of that also relates to 19yr experience as LPN, I'm not sure). The clinical component was a breeze for me and I totally relate this to my years of experience. I watched several in my group that weekend really struggle.

BUT, before you sign up for Excelsior you will want to check around to see what states are currently not accepting this program. It's been a long time for me and I've heard the list has grown. You're young, keep in mind you probably have no idea where you'll end up in this world and you don't want to find yourself in a state years down the road where your degree means nothing.

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Thank you all so much! Your advice was helpful!

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