LindaGib

If as you said you "trying to get accurate info out to those looking for clinical sites,” is the concern here, I doubt you are really addressing the issue(s). The issue is not finding a clinical site, the issue is fulfilling the clinical requirements as per required by the state BON, for which the student resides. My sister got an email from (moderator edit of name), in 2007 with the approved clinical sites for IL. Whether (moderator edit of name) is listed TODAY (2009), IS IRRELEVANT! TCN at the time DID NOT have such a list. TCN made it seem like the clinical portion of the program was all set, with the so called “approved sites” they sent via email. Whereas, ISU lets the student know you are responsible for setting up your own clinical site & finding a preceptor….but here's a list of "approved sites" for your state. Your posting a link for ISU personnel seems rather irrelevant. You seem to want to discredit my statements here on this thread. You have said you are not in the ISU program & not a representative of TCN. Well, the ISU program for the LPN-BSN track at the time (2007) my sister applied was fairly new then. My input on this thread is based on my sister’s experience in 2007, now whether those problems still exists today is a matter for any student going through that track in the state of IL should present.

I had to contact my sister so I can get the facts right! OK, is not clear to me IF you represent TCN. But the link for the list you posted sure appears so. Here's what I know, the link for the list you posted is the same list TCN sent to my sister in a pdf file, about 15 pages, showing “different” states with approved clinical sites. When she contacted the folks, she did not get encouraging response. She then called TCN. TCN advised her to call the school directly. When she called, she spoke to (moderator edit of name), who then directed her call to (moderator edit of name). (moderator edit of name) is the guy that sets up the contract. (moderator edit of name) then sent a pdf file about 6 pages in length, mainly showing IL approved sites. So, as far as whether changes has been made since 2007 is irrelevant in this case, since my sister's application to begin phase 3 of the ISU nursing program had Meadowbrook listed as one of the "approved clinical sites” for contact. It must be known that my point of contributing to this thread is not to debate whether ISU through TCN is the way to go for any student. I was only trying to let a fellow IL resident know of my sister's difficulty in trying to find a MSN clinical preceptor in IL.

I'm positive that Meadowbrook was listed as one of the approved sites for IL in 2007. What state are you from? The list that are sent to students, are tailored to the individual's state of origin. The link you have attached to your post shows other states, this is not the same list my sister had. I know this for a fact, because when she found out she could not get a MSN clinical preceptor here in IL, she was very upset and frustrated with the whole idea. At that time my sister shared her frustration with the family. As a family, we supported her idea of relocating to Indiana. This was a very hard choice for everyone. Are you in the program? Do you represent TCN here on allnurses?

Hi novavida, Sorry to hear you had lost too much time and money in the process of finding a clinical preceptor. My sister is doing OK now, but she had no choice but to relocate to Indiana. This was a hard choice she had to make. I know part of her decision to relocate to Indiana was because of the contract she had already signed with TCN, there was no way for her to come off the contract. Besides that she had already spent a lot of money in repayments. She's hoping to graduate in December '09, all things being equal.

Hi sparkle, just wanted to share a little bit of my sister's experience with you concerning finding a clinical preceptor in IL. My sister is an LPN and lives in Chicago, IL. She signed up with TCN for the ISU program. Completed all the ISU challenge exams. But was not able to find a preceptor. She contacted the so called "approved sites" and didn't get encouraging answers. She got responses, like "we don't know, of such program." “Nobody has done anything like that here.” She also contacted one nursing home listed called Meadowbrook in Bolingbrook, she spoke to the DON of the facility, who said she did not know of any such program. Then, she contacted TCN, and then TCN asked her to contact the school directly. My sister, then called the school, and spoke to the guy that does the contract. My sister narrated her experience, he confirmed that the list TCN gave her was an updated approved sites. He then advised my sister to contact other nearby hospitals/nursing homes/doctors clinics, to arrange for new contracts. Now here's the problem. IL BON requires a preceptor with a MSN standing for the ISU program. IL BON also requires each clinical site to be approved, meaning you have to have the site approved at least 6 months before start of clinical. My sister was frustrated with the whole idea, then decided to relocate to Indiana, to complete the program. The question for the so called "approved sites" remains a mystery. Its unclear if these sites were ever used, or if these sites were used by students who applied for the ISU RN-BSN program. Overall, the ISU program seems to be a decent program. Depending on the state, finding a preceptor can be a daunting task. I hope it all works well for you:) Good Luck!

Congratulations on passing the TEAS!

Thanks BBFRN, just revd feedback from StudyGroup101 & Larends:)

Hi Erica, sorry to hear you did not pass the test. Don't give up! You can DO IT! Best wishes!!

Suctioning Trachs, for sure!

Good Luck! You can do it!!

Congratulations on your achievements so far!! I've always thought of going this route. I'm just so unsure, as I'm not sure which state boards accepts the Excelsior license. Like you, I'm pretty much self taught. I'm a visual learner and find the classroom pretty boring... . nothing to do with the instructors and/or students. Is just that my attention span is really short. I tend to be less focus, after 25 mins of an hour lecture. Wonder if you know a list of states, where the Excelsior license will be accepted, perhaps I could change my mind. Good Luck as you continue to pursue your goals:)

Got some anxiety myself. Taking mine on the 17th. Good Luck!

rynique, how did you do? how was the tests? taking mine on the 17th.

Congrats, on passing the TEAS, Hubby's girl:yeah:

SmilesNoir, thanks for suggesting McGraws nursing study guide. How comparable is it to the real thing? I have the Kaplan study guide, its covers a lot of material--I probably don't need.