CindyJRN

Please be careful using APA software, according to teachers and past resources I have used. While I personally never used the software, it was not recommended. Some of the best tools I have are a combination of printed materials from UoP and FHCHS. I have the papers printed out in a folder I keep under my desk, as well as some hard copies of my own graded papers. And I learned to go ahead and save my papers on the computer and could just use the same format over and over again, just creating newer versions. I think I read reviews of the software from people who used it either on download.com or Amazon. Buyers beware! Unsolicited input, but just check before you buy the program.

All right Tweety! I am very excited for you get started. Things are going ok for me. World Religions started this week and I am getting ready to take the first test, but thought I'd drop in on you first. :) Hey if you are interested, I will sell you the concepts book and the suggested reading books for Concepts. I will let you know about the Chemistry book later. Don't laugh, I am passing, but I don't want to jinx it! Have you got an APA manual? It will be required for the entire program so I am keeping mine. You definitely will use it so go ahead and get one. I have mine tabbed with post-it notes for quick reference. The Concepts instructor, Dr Rilla Taylor, is an absolute sweetheart. I will be in touch with you. The deadline for me to register for spring is 12/13, so I hope Patrick gets in as well. Did I tell you how impressed I am with the Religions class thus far? I am enjoying! :balloons:

Tweety, that schedule is of my own doing. Normally Patho and Pharmacology are different semesters, but you have to have Chemistry before you "advance". Since I postponed Chemistry from last summer til now, Patho was pushed ahead as well. So don't worry, you may not have that tough of a load. :) BTW have you and Pat got all your paperwork in yet? Looking forward to finding out what you will be taking.........

:rotfl: Can I send you a HUGE HUG, a big AMEN and ok a Hell Yeah just for good measure. Actually, some people thing I am some super smart nurse since I did the Excelsior route :wink2: It bothers me that there are people who come to this forum who want to look down upon us for not being traditionally educated nurses. I didn't do the distance route on a whim. I was a hard working LPN who wanted to better things for myself and for my family. When I passed my RN boards a few years back my favorite charge nurse, Allen, said "Well Cindy Lou, you were a pretty damned good LPN. Now you are just a sorry old new Grad." I loved that statement then, and it still makes me laugh today. :rotfl:

I want to point out that more and more colleges/universities are creating distance learning programs. UoP is also very popular with my business degree colleagues. Goes back to that "gotta work fulltime and have the education" theory. My own personal opinion is that the guys at Regents (Excelsior) started this trend and now UoP is doing great with it! Personally, I am very satisfied with my program at Florida Hospital College :) :balloons:

This topic is currently being flogged beyond death in multiple threads. I am curious about where you live as well. My education is well respected by colleagues and my employer. I already passed the NCLEX 4 years ago, so the Bachelor's degree I am currently pursuing as well as the future Masters degree are mainly for my own benefit, though if I shift gears down the road and decide to do something else with my career those degrees will mean something. OK, that was a mouthful, but will someone enlighten me as to what the problem seems to be when an LPN can complete a distance program and take the same NCLEX as everyone else? Yes, I know there are a couple of BON who have different criteria! But I researched my own BON before starting the program years ago; it is not for everyone.

I will be in Pharmacology, Pathophysiology, and DNRS 485 (Leadership and Management in Nursing) starting the January semester. I hope to hear from you, Tweety and Patrick!

As a fellow Ec (actually Regents) grad, I want to compliment you on this part of your response! You have eloquently and simply stated the facts. Check with your individual BON. Research the program, make sure the program is accredited and please, please, don't call us mail order nurses. There is not a special NCLEX or license status for EC grads. I am, quitely simply, a Registered Nurse in the State of Louisiana!

I think med surg will give anyone beneficial skills needed in all units of nursing. I think it is great when people get internships in certain designations, but the hands on skills of med surg will make you more well rounded. You may not know now what it is you want to be doing 5, 10, 15 years down the road. I know there are people who have always stayed in the same units, but I believe in at least "testing the waters". If your hospital floats people (volunteers or not) don't limit yourself to only one specialty. Just my opinion, best wishes whatever you do. We need more nurses!`

OK, I am posting again about my chemistry class, 100% online with FHCHS. I made a "B" on my first test. I attempted this course over the summer and dropped it because I was failing. The program has been revamped, and the presentation and assistance by the facilitators, tutors, etc has been amazing. I have never taken a Chemistry course before so I am really stoked about this grade!!! FHCHS has a great online program. My World Religions elective starts 11/8. :)

Patrick, I took a few classes with UoP--they did transfer, as electives. Go ahead and get copies of the course descriptions to send your advisor (it helps). Anyway, I personally can't say enough good things about FHCHS. My Chem class is going great!

I am taking Chemistry at the college level for the first time. I am an LPN (1988) turned RN (Regents College, 2000). I thought getting my Associate Degree would be the end of my goals, but I now have my sight set on an MSN. I already have a great job, but I do love learning and know that our profession is ripe with opportunities!

http://www.fhchs.edu. Sorry I do not have a direct link. When I requested info, I was sent a complete listing. You can even request info through http://www.allnursingschools.com/r/?schoolID=198. Thank you for the good wishes!

Yep, I have my book right here...Officially starts Monday. I have an orientation chat tomorrow afternoon. We are using what I found to be a pretty popular text: Chemistry An Introduction to General, Organic, & Biological Chemistry by Karen C. TImberlake. (8th ed). I just finished downloading the course manual and schedule into my pda.

Hi Mona b and all, Yes, there is a statistics requirement "Applied Statistics". After they reviewed my official transcripts I received a calendar with the courses and projected timeframe (semester) I will be taking them. Next semester I will have Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, and Leadership and Management in Nursing. I will have Statistics next summer. Are you familiar with WebCT? FHCHS uses WebCT to deliver the classes. I log in whenever I want. Have you completed an English 102 course or Chemistry? They are prereq's for patho and so forth. The calendar indicates the length of the course (5 weeks, 7.5 wks, and 10 wks). So even though the courses are in the same semester, they may not be totally concurrent. My chemistry course starts Mon 10/4 through 12/12, and my World religion course starts 11/7 through 12/12. Actually, when I was first talking to my advisor, I sent in my unofficial transcripts and was able to get some questions answered while they waited on offical transcripts to arrive. If you are interested in ANY program, please remember some schools require $$ before they will send an official transcript so start early in preparing your information.