mumpet5

I just posted on another forum, hopefully they'll move my post to here, I too am considering EC. I am taking all my prereqs at community college in NM, but now am wondering how I would support myself and kids if I do get advanced placement in the RN program thru community college. Is Indiana State U legitimate? I am thinking EC might be my best bet, as right now I am taking 2 summer online courses and feel I am disciplined enough to stay on top of studies, etc. Any suggestions or other help will be greatly appreciated. Eileen

I lost a little girl 10 1/2 years old to a brain tumor now 8 years ago...I made a promise to her and God, that I would go and be a support for parents who would find themselves in the most terrible situation they would have to go thru....lose a child...and I also said I would go and touch the children, I got to go to LVN school in Texas, I am now in NM, trying desperately to pursue my RN, I've got to keep my promise. I lost a patient who was so ill from birth, 19 months old....but I was her nurse, central line, colostomy from birth, j-tube, g-tube, I cried asking God one day when she had to be literally whisked off to a children's hospital...I said, why God, when this month is the anniversary that I lost my Lizzy,....how could you?? I entertained my patient as her grandmother prepared everything for their 4 hour trip....as I sat in my car as they drove off, my little patient never to return, God spoke..........you see Eileen, you are doing just what I called you to do....I felt humbled as I realized....it was a privilege to have cared for this tiny patient....that is why I got into nursing..........Eileen

I have been an LPN for 5 years, went to LVN school in Texas. I am living in NM now, am taking prereqs for the RN program, 2 questions...I have considered going the last year of the RN program, if accepted, would start Jan. '09, or EC. I have read alot of success stories on a yahoo group for RN EC students. How does one support oneself if I was to go thru traditional nursing school program? I have thought of paying my house payment a year in advance, but can only seem to get so far on that. I am leaning towards Excelsior program, but now I've been reading about Indiana State U. Is that program legitimate or is it thru TCN or the other pay before EC programs/scams? thanks for your help.

I am in Las Cruces, I have heard if you go through the RN program at Dona Ana, you can opt to take the PN NCLEX. I am ready to leave Las Cruces. I am doing Pediatric Home Health, have no benefits, no PTO, etc. I love what I do as I have elementary school age children. I am considering taking 2 classes this Spring through NMSU or Dona Ana. Don't know if I can ever get into the RN program.

I am Pediatric Home Health, I get 17 an hour , I go into peoples homes, have worked with g tubes, j tubes, central lines, colostomy bags, trachs. So far, I haven't had a child who is on a vent. I am in New Mexico

I received my LVN in Texas, am now in New Mexico, as a Pediatric Home Health Nurse, I make $17.00 an hour, with no benefits, no health care, no PTO, etc. I am wondering what an LVN in Coachella Valley, CA would make, Palm Desert, PalmSprings, Rancho Mirage and surrounding nearby areas. Anyone?

How does anyone deal with feeling overwhelmed? Like I can't obtain the RN, don't have the money to go back to school, handle two children as a single mother, pay bills, keep 40 hours weekly, no PTO, etc. I am doing pediatric home health work now, I do shift work , have two patients, one I love, have been with her for a year now, but she only has 20 hours weekly, so I must complete the 40 working with patient number two who has to be constantly suctioned per trach, four to six times an hour, constantly repositioned up in bed, even with a support pillow he somehow scoots down. My company is wonderful, yet I get no PTO doing this medically fragile childrens program. I do it so that I can set my own hours, and pick my children up from school. I have no family support. Am considering moving to California to be nearby my oldest daughter, yet not sure of programs pay scales in that area. Rancho Mirage, La Quinta, CA , Coachella Valley. I am feeling so overwhelmed. Any suggestions?

Alabama, How much is it to to the A and P thru Edukan? Do you have to enroll? Just wondering, as I was considering taking that course. Are you an LPN? Eileen

Sandi, interesting about the payments, 75 dollars monthly is reasonable, I thought that the smallest payment was 154.

I have heard that if you a Bachelor's degree, some states have an accelerated program, here in NM or at least Las Cruces, they have whats called the Roadrunner program, I believe it's a year or year an d a half for the RN

Oh, I forgot to mention, I lived in Maine as well, I see you are from Maine...I was in Augusta, and then Dover Foxcroft.....both cccccooold!!!! but beautiful

I am in Las Cruces, the weather is beautiful, I have lived here a year now, I don't know too much about Memorial working conditions. I do pediatric home health. I know one can drive to visit El Paso, I think there is alot see there....help me NM residents, I am considering leaving and moving back to California after having been away for 7 years.

I am going to call EC on Thursday morning and ask again about becoming an RN through their program and California. Eileen

I am in NM, and was told as an LVN, if I were to pursue the BSN, none of my LVN courses would be valid and would have to start all over again.

I have a question about the CLEP, can y ou take Anatomy and Physiology through them / their tests?

Mudwoman, I see you suggesting the CLEP for A & P, but where do you get the books to study for the exam? Just wondering, Eileen

I just wanted to say that I am now 46, went to LVN school in Texas when I was 43, I had two elementary school age children, I was in the 2p to 10 p program, there was NO way I could work, it was eat sleep and study for the entire year. I personally did not have to apply for afdc or tanf, miraculously I lived off of child support and pell grants, and one loan. I had no family support whatsoever, had to pay full time day care,440/month for the two children. Luckily, that was a flat fee, and she worked with me. I would encourage you to focus on your goal, to finish LPN school, knowing that at the end of the year, you WILL be able to support your child. Your mom will be MOM, and maybe you could set aside differences in childrearing for the time being. (count it a blessing that she has opened her doors ) As long as the child is safe, well cared for, etc. I don't mean to minimize the way you feel in any way, just wanted to encourage.

I am a California native, moved in my 30's to Germany, and then back home to Texas, now I am in NM, I love las cruces weather, but there's nothing to see or do here. I MISS the coast, I miss my family, right now some of my family are in LA Quinta, some in San fernando valley, I wont move there, but what does anyone know or think about the Palm Springs, La Quinta, Rancho Mirage area? I am an LVN. thanks

the commute to san fernando valley everyday can be up to 2 hours one way I believe.

I've looked at EC's site, and only saw the latest letter dated July 13, 2006. Could you give more specific info as to where the good news is posted? thanks

Is there a news article about this? I am an LPN, (got my LVN in Texas) and am considering EC, but also am considering moving to Calif. next year, i was stopped in my track s when I found out that Calif does not recognize graduates from EC. thanks

I was 43 when I got accepted into nursing school, the LVN program, I am a single mom and thought then that in a years time I could have a career that would support myself and my children. I regret not going for the RN instead, I am trapped at deciding whether or not to do prereqs at the community college/state university or sign up for Excelsior. I am now 46. I love nursing, but sometimes get so bogged down thinking I won't be able to do it. I am out there trying....

Hi Everyone, I 've been looking for a website with people considering or in teh Excelsior program, I got my LVN in Texas, now living in NM, I have had my transcripts sent to Excelsior, how did those of you in it pay for it? I am also considering moving to California after june 2007 and found out to day calif. does not accept Excelsior nurses, they are working on it I was told. So now I am stuck, I tried taking nite classes, but I am a pediatric home health nurse doing shifts and the homes I am in are not always conducive to studying. Just don't know what to do. Also, I am a single mother of 2. It's too hard to go after a long days work, make enough to pay bills and then find time to study. Any advice is appreciated.