HannaBee

No doubt they need to make things more accessible in CA. Every place I've worked there is a nurse shortage and I am often asked to work a double and I never want to but sometimes do out of concern for patients. We all went through a school for the LVN, if they insist everyone go through a brick and mortar school for the RN, they need to open up more programs.

by the way...there was no investment of my time for ISU as I have all the pre-reqs from my BA. I have made no investment of time or money. If they are up and running again, fine, if not, fine. I applied because might as well get a BSN. I had everything required and would have just gone into the Stage where you take 4 challenge exams. That does cost something, but I wasn't there yet so it doesn't matter. My advice would be to just hang in there and see. There seem to be people who don't want to see this happen and they are very discouraging. Just try to filter things and go about your life if all I can think.

I never meant to upset anyone. Honestly. Allnurses has been a support for me! I used it mostly as I was studying for the NCLEX-PN. However, I was just trying to share what I thought was good news but maybe the person that called me, I have no idea why she gave me a personal phone call, but maybe she wasn't telling the truth. It just seems to call someone out of the blue, who hasn't complained at all, was strange - but to me "these things happen"- so I wasn't all upset or anything. My life won't change with a BSN. I already have a BA and there is only one thing an RN can do in CA that an LVN can not do and that is hang an IV drip. Although it happens all the time. There is little scope difference and I don't need the extra money. However, I am going to ask allnurses to delete my posts and me if necessary. I am rarely on here and when I think of all the time some people spent on their responses to me, for some reason people get really inflamed by all of this. I will tell allnurses to have a look at this thread, if they haven't already, and to feel free to delete my posts and delete me. This forum is supposed to be support for nurses, period! and I know if we were all sitting in person talking, the discussions would be different as people tend to say things on the net they wouldn't say in person.

Wow, what a long concerned post! I am not that interested. Not that concerned. Whether they get approved again or not, in CA, as they are approved in a majority of US states, will not impact my life one bit. ISU has no money from me. I don't work for them. I really don't care. Maybe someone does, not me. I was relating info. They called me. On the phone. I never called them. I never complained to them. I never emailed them about this. As far as Excelsior, my husband looked at all the legal documents, he is a lawyer, and called it a "******* contest". But please go warn everyone. I would rather just delete my post because it seems to have raised people's BP...but for whatever reason, you can't delete a post here. I abhor internet arguments. They are really stupid, petty and cowardly. I am on this site 1-2 times a year at most. I have seen posts about things I could have helped with but didn't because, judging by responses to certain posts, I have long suspected that this message board is monitored closely by the CA BRN. Kelly's post contained 2 links to the CA BRN. Your posts talk about all these meetings you attend and video of meetings you have??? Really? Who would do that if they didn't work for the CA BRN. Your sarcasm is wasted though. I know you giggle and think you are very clever as you press the "post comment" button. Like I said, a wasted effort. But freedom of speech is understood as a multi-faceted right that includes not only the right to express, or disseminate, information and ideas, but three further distinct aspects: the right to seek information and ideas; the right to receive information and ideas; the right to impart information and ideas So stop the attacks as internet arguments are an extremely foolish waste of time and energy. By all means, inform the masses of how misinformed I am. I know it makes you feel good and I wouldn't want to spoil that. I am going to turn my notifications off and get back to helping people in the real world and not the cyber world.

but everyone is entitled to their opinion and I want to apologize if my last last post sounded a bit edgy (and rude)! If I could delete it I would! unfortunately I can't. I just wanted to share good news. My source couldn't be better and she has no reason to lie to me about this. "backed up with facts" makes me laugh...and skeptical is spelled with a k...ok ok...whatever, don't believe me...I rarely go to allnurses.com, I only went on here specifically to share good news...that is all. Peace out! :)

Regarding Kelly32, I don't work for ISU and I have no reason to relate this info. It is truly amazing how many people love to rain on the parades of other people's lives. I spoke - well if anyone wants to private email me I will let you know - but why Kelly32 felt compelled to convince everyone else to be skeptical of what I wrote is beyond me. Since I joined allnurses it is amazing how many people are just not really on your side here. They just want to cast a cloud on everything. I really don't care if anyone believes me, I am not lying about this, have no reason to. No motivation to. Really Kelly32, what is your motivation? It seems too many people are only too happy it has been difficult to go from LVN to RN in the state of California. Just because the CABRN got Excelsior dismissed, doesn't mean they are going to be able to play God with every program in CA.

ISU will be up and running in California soon again. They are currently finalizing things. Could be as early as the end of Feb 2013. Yes, next month. I was told today they are finalizing clinical sites with the VA. Could be up as early as next month, the end of next month (February). Fall 2013 at the latest. All does not appear to be lost. I am not affiliated with ISU at all, just another person who was very close to getting into the program and then left to hang. They called me personally today to tell me this. When they are up again, they are planning to contact all the CA students.

wow I am so glad I changed my mind! The guy from TCN told me I needed 4 pre-reqs: a&p, micro, chem, and pathophysiology...I DON'T need patho now - it is NOT a pre-req! And yes, maybe I could take it now but the tuition at ISU is semester tuition - I mean they don't pay by the class - so I would have just wasted the money by paying for the class before I entered ISU...I just need 3 classes, 2 at Excelsior and 1 via the U of Phoenix - and that I can def. do on my own!

you know I think I want to change my mind here! I met with TCN today and it seemed all fine and well. I signed...but I only need 4 classes, 2 through Excelsior and 2 through U of Phoenix...and I woke up at 2am and realized, yes, I can do this myself because I've taken classes via Excelsior before and I know how to do that...yes it is putting a lot of money on top for something I can do myself. He said I can't get into ISU until Spring of 2012 anyhow - that's plenty of time to take classes myself at Excelsior and U of Phoenix...it's been less than 24 hours but I'm gonna cancel tomorrow...

btw instead of asking people here - not that people aren't helpful here because they are! but i wanted to say you can just email isu. they are very helpful and will answer your questions promptly. i was going to do what you were going to do. i was on the verge of signing up for online classes with a lab component thinking they would be good-to-go. i only contacted isu just to make sure they accepted the classes and i'm glad i did because they wouldn't have and i would have been out the time and money. this is contact information i have for isu: education liaison assistant isu college of nursing, health, and human services terre haute, in 47809 812-237-8963

I spoke with ISU as I was going to do the same exact thing. They said they do not accept online classes, even those with a lab component. They said either the classes need to be taken at a college or you need to "test out" of the subject which is what TCN sets you up for. Yes, tons of people bash TCN but as I see it, they are a means to an end. I found classes online with a lab and, if ISU had said they would accept them, they were about $1,200 for each class. I need 5 classes. So at that point it seemed to be evening out with TCN. I have kids and a baby and I need convenience. I have a BA and an LVN license. The idea of taking the classes I need at a community college...well it would take at least a year (Spring semester has already begun) and there's no saying I would get into the classes I need when I need them - and then I need to hire a babysitter...too much. Now I have a friend, she went through TCN...she is in Phase 3 now at ISU. She is starting her clinical this Fall. You have to be careful of message boards because when people are happy with something they don't tend to run to message boards to post something, it's usually the other way around. I can see how people would be upset at the financing option...I don't think I will finance it...but if you need to it's the cost of education. Yes, TCN is out to make money, they are a business...but it's not like you end up with nothing in the end. Good luck to you! I plan, after painstakingly investigating different options, to sign up with TCN next week. I will be careful and not sign anything the same day. I will have a lawyer (my husband!) look over all paperwork. I won't buy anything but the prereqs I need. Maybe you can figure out how to 'test out' on subjects you need yourself but with kids and you said you move a lot...You know I'm almost scared to respond to your post in this way as I don't want to be attacked...yes, I've read tons of negative TCN posts! but the thing is, ISU wouldn't be connected to them if there were a bunch of crooks! I spent 24k (plus I got some financial aid so I think the degree probably cost around 40k) on a legitimate BA from a proper 4 year university - you know what? My LVN license makes me more employable than the BA ever did! Am I gonna whine and say the Cal State U system ripped me off? Of course not, it was an experience and lots of those classes will transfer into ISU...

I attended the LVN program there

I have a friend at Unitek right now...I also have 3 kids...I am trying to get all the info...she said class is twice a week, clinicals the other 3 days...

Maybe the answer is that we all leave California I swear it's the only state so broke there are no school buses for the school children and we pay very high taxes with so little in return...

I earn $23 in my first LVN job just south of San Francisco. I have friends who are working in San Francisco at their first jobs and are making $25. I was offered $25 to work in San Fran but it was an on-call position, so I decided to go with the full time position instead (I like having a schedule!). Seasoned LVN's make closer to $30 in the Bay Area but the cost of living is prohibitive! I am working on my RN and not focusing so much on what I am making right now, I mean it's okay. I was told after 3 months they will raise it to $24. I just want to get used to the job for a year, not jump jobs, because I can concentrate more on my RN if I am not orienting to a new facility! That said, I would consider living somewhere else for a lesser wage if the cost of living was better (I think that includes 98% of the US!). Most peeps in the Bay Area can't afford to buy a home, me included, but I will be more marketable someplace else if I have a year's worth of work experience, so I'll stay put for now!