lpntobe2009

I already know IL doesn't accept it..but as of right now, they do allow you to endorse in after 2 years of RN experience elsewhere. In the VA, you can have a state license from any state(I live pretty close to IN anyway). Lunah-your advice is what I am hearing more and more. A lot of nurses think just going straight for the BSN is the better way to do things. I am just very impatient!

Yeah, this would be an option that I would consider only AFTER an offer is made(had interview 2 days ago). Just thinking out my options. It's either this or Indiana State as I cannot sit in the classroom another year(or more) and work. As far as the IL BON, changing the rules is a risk that every Excelsior student takes, right?

I have a question. I live in IL and have a possible job opportunity to work for the VA as an LPN. Do you think it would be worth it to finish my RN via Excelsior even though IL wouldn't recognize the license (assuming that I loved working at the VA and could see myself staying for a while...)? Would IL definitely endorse my license after 2 years working as an RN? Thanks!

No, they give you a list of places in your area and then you call and request clinical hours. I've heard from several people in the area that's it's actually pretty area and the list of hospitals are pretty decent.

Thanks. I figured they wouldn't. Just bummed that this program is going to take sooooo long when I have no other courses to take!

I applied to ISU and planned on applying for admission for the lpn-bsn by the Nov 1st deadline. I am so disappointed to learn that you can only take 2 nursing courses at a time!! I spoke to 2 different people at the university who confirmed this. They said that in the past they let students take more but with the clinical component being hard on some, 2 is the max. I am done with all of my pre-req's so this means I can't even get financial aid! The minimum length of the program is 3 years they said!! Very discouraging. Plus, I live in IL so I can't do Excelsior. I am wondering if anyone knows whether of not ISU will accept nursing credits from Excelsior? I was thinking about possibly taking a few so that this program won't take me 3 years. Thanks!

New LPN, no experience. LTC, western Chicago suburbs. $22/hour.

Don't listen to anyone about not doing an LPN program...yeah, we all know hospitals aren't hiring LPN's..but there are PLENTY of opportunities and it is NOT a waste of money. I just graduated and took my NCLEX-PN and within a WEEK, had 3 job offers(yes, LTC, but still a JOB). I am sure COD will be great. You will learn a lot and you have the opportunity to bridge to RN right away.

This is very untrue. I wish people who actually KNOW what they are talking about before posting...I had a teacher that used to write NCLEX questions. SATA ARE higher level questions..when you are doing well, you get more of them. Math calculations are NOT bad to see!! My goodness, I would love to know what your source is??!!?

Ummm...LPN's ARE nurses so the whole "More LPN's than NURSES" is an odd statement. Lpn's aren't going anywhere. LTC facilities are giving preference to LPN's because they are cheaper than RN's. I know of many facilities that are cutting RN's overtime and giving the jobs to LPN's. RN's have been saying for YEARS that LPN's are slllooowwwly being phased out. Not gonna happen. Don't worry about it...get your LPN and then do a bridge program to RN. You will find work.

Were the questions very difficult at the end? Like a lot of "select all that apply"? I was told that if you have reached these difficult questions, it means you have answered a lot correct.

Good luck! I will be there next month probably and am already freaking out!

I just finished my program and I would just say try to stay as focused as possible. Just ignore whatever else is going on and focus on the prize(like someone else mentioned). It wouldn't hurt to start some NCLEX study questions as soon as possible! Good luck!!

I have heard that with only 85 questions it either means that the computer determined you did really well or really bad!

I just finished my program as well and am trying to get into NCLEX study mode! I am planning on just going to Borders and trying to use a different book each night and study section by section. I too am very worried about pharm. When are you planning on taking your NCLEX?