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?

Excuse me, "Kenny", but in which of my posts did I say anything "bitter"?? I don't think you are READING the posts correctly because I was not the one bashing the school. I have repeated what is TRUE. I actually mentioned that I DON'T think the school is all bad. NEVER anywhere did I say that I was trying to pass without effort! Honestly, what are you talking about? Please go back a READ before posting. I am doing great at PCCTI and never did I want to pass without effort. Get your facts straight.

Wow! It really amazed me how many people are coming out of the woodwork and "pretending" to to be a part of PCCTI with all of their defense posts. How about learning how to spell or at least proofreading? THIS is the future of the nursing field??

I have heard that the NCLEX rate was low from teachers at the school. DespSeekingNursing-if you have been to other colleges before, as you stated, then I truly can't understand how you don't see the problems occuring at this school. It is like no other school *I* have been to before and I have also completed 4 years of college. It sounds as though your class has not experienced the drama that other classes have. I think you are not understanding where others are coming from. I do agree with you on some aspects though. I am thoroughly sick and tired of the complaining at this school. Yes, there are a lot of problems, but some students do not belong in nursing school and maybe that is why they are having a tough time grasping the new policies. Unfortunetly, I think the school is somewhat responsible for that, too. I don't think the program is all bad. I have had the opportunity to meet a few good teachers(who haven't stayed) and learn a lot. I have a true passion for nursing and really WANT this to work and get better. I think the school, being a new program, is working through a lot of problems. I am not sure why ANY students are staying if all they want to do is bring down the program. We should be working with the school to make improvements instead of trying (ridiculously) to "get them in trouble". No one is going to win that way.

A lot more than 2 failed the NCLEX. That is why the HESI policy was put into effect...because of the low pass rate on NCLEX.

PCCTI is not a scam. Unorganized, yes. Scam? No.

This is a joke, right? We just lost our DEAN because of the incompetence of this ridiculous "school". Policies change left and right with NO notice to students. Each LPN class has been through at LEAST 2 instructor's and the clinical sites are a joke. The dean Trudy was the only good person at this school...I would NEVER EVER recommend this school to ANYONE. Oh, the school has not incorporated HESI as a review...they have changed their policy and decided to count each HESI test as 40% of the final grade. The staff is ridiculously unfriendly. And if it matters, no one in my class has lower than a B average, so no-we aren't annoyed at the school because we are failing. We are annoyed because we paid almost 17,000 and have no stable teachers(or any that actually change), the policies are changed everyday, and everyone is RUDE.

Hmmm...you must go to the same school that I go to. Wonderful, huh? My class is moving onto 102 in March and we were just told, with about 2 weeks notice, that the Hesi Fundamentals would count as 40 percent of our grade. Although I have an A now, i am not sure it will remain that way. I am very stressed! How did you do on your HESI? I have heard through the grapevine that the 102 classes were doing well on their HESI's. I am assuming half of my class will be gone after this fundamentals HESI.