many questions about ISU LPN-BSN

chaxanmom · Aug 12, 2009

You take your exams wherever you can find a qualified proctor. Libraries and community colleges are good places to look. I did all mine at a community college. Find a proctor you like because you will need them quite a bit between final exams, ATI exams, etc. How long it takes to study totally depends on you and how fast you can learn the material.

Finding a clinical site also depends on your area. I had no problem here in Maryland and went to some top notch hospitals. You always have to option of going to Terre Haute and doing clinicals there over a few days.

I'm graduating from this program in December and think it's a great program. However, it is not for people who need a lot of hand holding (that's the case with most distance programs). You have to be proactive in getting your learning needs met.

momnmotn · Aug 15, 2009

Thanks for your help, how long has the program, taken you? and did you do all pre reqs online? do you think it is, quicker to go to, community college, or ISU?? thank you so much.........

alea · Aug 22, 2009

Thanks for your help, how long has the program, taken you? and did you do all pre reqs online? do you think it is, quicker to go to, community college, or ISU?? thank you so much.........

Hello,

I am just starting the ISU LPN to BSN program, too. I have taken 3 of the modules. The first one is by far the easiest -- I think I studied two days (a lot of reading & headaches but not very bad). NURS224 is a little more challenging but pretty much common sense (FYI - once you have paid for the first half of the exam you can log onto ISU's blackboard & print off the course syllabus -- that helped me a lot to focus my studies). I think I spent two weeks on N224. N328 was (and probably will be) the worst. I studied for three mos (I think it was too much time -- I also went on vacation & took summer classes in between). I passed it, though. The CSMs help -- just set a date to take the test & go for it (the only way I can do things!).

I took all of my pre-reqs at community colleges (cheaper -- just make sure they will transfer -- joe taylor at ISU is really good at helping with this). I have not heard many good things about Ivy tech (I don't think all of their credits will transfer to other institutions if you change your mind about ISU). However, whatever is easiest for you. As long as you stick with ISU it shouldn't matter (although most of the pre-reqs can be taken either online at ISU or through a community college over their blackboard/distance ed program).

Good luck! You can do it!

alea · Aug 22, 2009

You take your exams wherever you can find a qualified proctor. Libraries and community colleges are good places to look. I did all mine at a community college. Find a proctor you like because you will need them quite a bit between final exams, ATI exams, etc. How long it takes to study totally depends on you and how fast you can learn the material.
Finding a clinical site also depends on your area. I had no problem here in Maryland and went to some top notch hospitals. You always have to option of going to Terre Haute and doing clinicals there over a few days.
I'm graduating from this program in December and think it's a great program. However, it is not for people who need a lot of hand holding (that's the case with most distance programs). You have to be proactive in getting your learning needs met.

Hello! I was wondering if ISU offers any of the nursing classes in the summer? The TCN rep told me he knew someone who only took 3 semesters to graduate (all of their pre-reqs were completed). Also, is there anyway to take more than two classes per semester (or whatever they have set up for their 5 semester timeline)? I have spoken with the nursing department many times & no one has the same answer! Thanks!

momnmotn · Aug 22, 2009

are you talking about pre-nursing classes?? are you officially in the nursing program? I am going to go forward, and try my best, thanks for the info, and luck, same to you..

chaxanmom · Aug 23, 2009

Hello! I was wondering if ISU offers any of the nursing classes in the summer? The TCN rep told me he knew someone who only took 3 semesters to graduate (all of their pre-reqs were completed). Also, is there anyway to take more than two classes per semester (or whatever they have set up for their 5 semester timeline)? I have spoken with the nursing department many times & no one has the same answer! Thanks!

Summer classes totally depend on how many people request that class so it depends. Yeah you can definitely take more than two classes. I generally take 3 but my first semester I took 4 (transition, psych, research, and assessment). They may have tightened up on that 4 classes the first semester thing too. I know the rules for the challenge exams are totally different than when I was in that phase of the program so I'm probably becoming obsolete as a resource on ISU. lol!

RDelaney · Sep 10, 2009

I received an email from the nursing dept. that I need to pass all 4 CSMs by Nov. 1st for Spring 2010! I really want to start ASAP but Im barely completing the admission requirements right now... :uhoh3:

caliotter3 · Feb 16, 2010

Have read that the best source for the CSMs is through the student messaging system on the ISU website itself.