Not sure if this is a mistake....

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Dec 13, 2006

knowing what i know now about the college network. i would say cancel the appointment. there are plenty of us here that can answer your questions. these advisers have a way of making the deal sound so good and are able to beat around the bush when it comes to the price tag... it was going to cost me $150 month or so for years and years. the study guides are anywhere between $300-400 dollars but know you can get these off e-bay or even from people on here for a fraction of the cost...if you decide you keep the appointment i would make a promise to yourself not to sign the contract the same day and take some time to think about it and weight out your options... then get back on here and talk about it because i am sure the people on here can give you some good pointers and ideas that can save you from the high price tag....

but the college network called me and i decided i would answer the phone. i did and listened and answered some questions, but then i found myself making an appointment for next week friday at 9am to have an advisor come over to go over the program with me. the one question that i wished i would have asked, but didn't, was if she comes over to talk about the program with me am i obligated to sign a contract. i would hope not, but you never know. i at least made it when my fiance wouldn't be around because he's so against me going back right now, but hoping with some finacial help and my parents helping as well i could start now.
i just needed to vent, and hoping i didn't make a mistake. i know i can cancel this appointment, but now i find myself wondering about it and almost excited to find out.
annie2005

vamedic4, EMT-P · Dec 13, 2006

But the college network called me and I decided I would answer the phone. I did and listened and answered some questions, but then I found myself making an appointment for next week Friday at 9am to have an advisor come over to go over the program with me. The one question that I wished I would have asked, but didn't, was if she comes over to talk about the program with me am I obligated to sign a contract. I would hope not, but you never know. I at least made it when my fiance wouldn't be around because he's so against me going back right now, but hoping with some finacial help and my parents helping as well I could start now.
I just needed to vent, and hoping I didn't make a mistake. I know I can cancel this appointment, but now I find myself wondering about it and almost excited to find out.
Trust txspadequeen...cancel the appt. You can get just about anything you need online !!!

bullcityrn · Dec 13, 2006

I wouldn't do it, especially since it is not required that you go through College Network to get into ISU's LPN-BSN program. I think it would be less costly and less complicated to just take any prerequisites you need online (CCC and Edukan are two good choices, check with an ISU advisor to make sure anything you take is transferable), or even consider testing out of subjects if you can (CLEP). Look into all your options before committing to that. Good luck!

rigmedic · Dec 14, 2006

My strongest advice would be to not put yourself in debt to College Network. Pay as you go, buy your stuff off of Ebay. But........if you go through with it, I might be interested in buying your used books. For pennies on the dollar, however. LOL

critter1972 · Feb 25, 2007

oh people.....have any of you ever done anything through The College Network and know how they work? if not, then....shush...

this forum is to give advice based on our experiences, not through rumors.

The College Network and Indiana State University have a partnership, which means, that ISU recommends that you get your study materials through TCN for Phase 1 and 2.

yeah, go ahead, go to ebay and buy them cheaper from someone who's had them lying around for years....however, are they up to date? do you want to take that chance and then go pay a testing fee for an exam that you hope you pass? some of those testing fees are about $190! by the way, the testing fee is what the testing site charges, not The College Network.

I have had no trouble using TCN guides. I can call them anytime and their advisors help with whatever questions i have....because they work WITH ISU oh, and they work with Regis University, Independence Univ. George Washington, Cornell and Boston. They have partnerships with these schools to help US get our degree....which by the way is our goal anyway right?

You know that if places like this weren't around....we'd still find something to complain about....probably complaining because of all the textbooks we have to get instead of using a self contained "guaranteed" guide.

that's my two cents.....

caliotter3 · Feb 25, 2007

There are many ways to obtain study materials. You can even get them from libraries for free. I did this for a long time. One person only used one NCLEX test prep book to study from and passed every NC test. Sink as much money into the program as you want to, but if you do a serious search on this site, you will find plenty of posts on plenty of threads on this same subject over the yrs, where people who have actually wasted their money tell about wasting their money. You will also find people who were happy with their decision to go through TCN. I suggest you take some time and read a lot of the threads on this site all the way through with a clear mind. Good luck with your decision. BTW, I use several test prep/review books on the general subject areas covered by each test and I have no trouble with the tests. I have trouble when I can't devote my undivided attention to my goal.

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Feb 25, 2007

There is nothing in my post that consist of a rumor, it is my experience... what difference does it really make that it is not the current edition. The test is not word for word from the guide,it is meant only to give the student a idea of what type of questions are on the test.. Why on earth would you spend $400 per guide when you could get them for a little of nothing off e-bay . There is so many ways to get the information you need too prepare for these courses.. You sound like a troll and one that is employed by TCN...

oh people.....have any of you ever done anything through The College Network and know how they work? if not, then....shush...
this forum is to give advice based on our experiences, not through rumors.
The College Network and Indiana State University have a partnership, which means, that ISU recommends that you get your study materials through TCN for Phase 1 and 2.
yeah, go ahead, go to ebay and buy them cheaper from someone who's had them lying around for years....however, are they up to date? do you want to take that chance and then go pay a testing fee for an exam that you hope you pass? some of those testing fees are about $190! by the way, the testing fee is what the testing site charges, not The College Network.
I have had no trouble using TCN guides. I can call them anytime and their advisors help with whatever questions i have....because they work WITH ISU oh, and they work with Regis University, Independence Univ. George Washington, Cornell and Boston. They have partnerships with these schools to help US get our degree....which by the way is our goal anyway right?
You know that if places like this weren't around....we'd still find something to complain about....probably complaining because of all the textbooks we have to get instead of using a self contained "guaranteed" guide.
that's my two cents.....

critter1972 · Feb 25, 2007

a troll? i see that our intelligence level has lowered some to name calling.

isn't it something how most people have to problem bad mouthing my decision to do the TCN guides, or any other guide through those 'publishing companies.' however, when i defend my decision....it makes you mad?

that, is a double standard, my friend.

you ask about the current version? well, if i'm paying $75 or $200 for a testing fee, i want to make sure that i'm prepared. by me buying NEW guides, i'm guaranteed to have the most up to date material. so, if buying used guides works for you, then so be it. that is your choice....my opinion is my opinion....and so far, my decision has proven to be right (for me) because i haven't failed an exam. i feel good about my decision.

i thought that this website was to talk about our experiences and find support, motivation for those of us who work full time, have kids, and still find the time for our education.

however, the quality of some of these threads are little to be desired. i find that if i'm going to put that much effort in defending myself, i would be more productive actually studying.

So, thank you for making me realize that i can do this on my own and that others opinions don't really make or break me.

rigmedic · Feb 25, 2007

Respectfully, the College Network guides I have used have been helpful but not ANYWHERE worth their "retail" cost. The actual EC exams are different enough from them to make the recency of the version pretty much irrelevant. The single most helpful thing has been the EC online practice exams.

Each person just needs to find his or her best method. For me, I prefer to buy the stuff off of Ebay, pay cash as I go, and come out the other end with an RN and DEBT FREE!!

BTW, I have made straight A's so my method works at least as well as the College Network method. Best of luck.

LucasRN · Feb 25, 2007

hey guys no need to get upset/ everyone has a different way of learning!

we are here to support one another, ultimately we have the same goal/ to graduate!! Annie if you want to hear what the rep says go for it, just don't sign anything until you really think it over, you can get study materials from other sources and not put yourself in debt, i used a publishing company and although I am happy to say I have completed all of my testing with A's and B's and am waiting for my cpne date , I wish I had known about this site before I signed with the publishing company. Good luck in your studies!

Chris

Mudwoman · Feb 25, 2007

oh people.....have any of you ever done anything through The College Network and know how they work? if not, then....shush...
this forum is to give advice based on our experiences, not through rumors.
The College Network and Indiana State University have a partnership, which means, that ISU recommends that you get your study materials through TCN for Phase 1 and 2.
yeah, go ahead, go to ebay and buy them cheaper from someone who's had them lying around for years....however, are they up to date? do you want to take that chance and then go pay a testing fee for an exam that you hope you pass? some of those testing fees are about $190! by the way, the testing fee is what the testing site charges, not The College Network.
I have had no trouble using TCN guides. I can call them anytime and their advisors help with whatever questions i have....because they work WITH ISU oh, and they work with Regis University, Independence Univ. George Washington, Cornell and Boston. They have partnerships with these schools to help US get our degree....which by the way is our goal anyway right?
You know that if places like this weren't around....we'd still find something to complain about....probably complaining because of all the textbooks we have to get instead of using a self contained "guaranteed" guide.
that's my two cents.....

I have experience with College Network to the tune of $4000 plus interest.

I ordered the 7 NC guides. They insisted on getting copies of my transcripts and decided that I also needed 3 more which they can send me due to small type in the contract that allows them to do it.

I sent proof that I already had credit for those 3 subjects they sent the extra study guides for. I sent back the study guides. They did not issue me credit so that now the finance co and I are going round and round and I will ultimately lose or ruin my credit.

The study guides are not good enough to study with alone. You will still need to refer to your nursing texts for some things.

College Network doesn't have a "partnership" with all these different colleges. Just ask the other colleges. The College Network is a publishing company with a high pressure hard sell.