maleRN2b_one

Go to the link, and look at the bottom of the page when it was updated. The rates indicated above, if I'm reading it correctly, would be as of October 2001.

Just wondering...Is there a straight online BSN program where you arrange your clinicals in the same way you do with the LVN to BSN program at Indiana State Univ? I hope Indiana State would create such a program pretty much like their Online LVN to BSN now, only you don't have to be an LVN first. I don't mind more course prereqs as long as they could be done either online, through challenge exams like Customized Study Modules (CSM) from College Network or clinicals arranged locally if the course has clinical component. Thanks for any comments you may have.

Hi, Because of waiting to get into a nursing program, I can't help but think of other career fields within healthcare. I thought I'd post it here to get some opinions from everybody. In terms of job availability, do RT new grads find plenty of opportunities as well as Nursing new grads? It seems that they Nursing gets too much attention than other healthcare fields. In terms of work schedule flexibility, can they do registry too or perhaps per diem? Are there traveling RTs like nurses? In terms of work routine, just how hard is it for them? In terms of career advancement, what is there to look forward to? Can they work in the Insurance industry, legal industry, own a "respiratory-related" business, private practitioners, etc.? I appreciate your comments. Thank you.

It depends on the county you're looking in. In Orange County, if you are only a wage earner (meaning not a buisness owner or self-employed), I think you'd have to be a dual-income wage earner household, and both you and your spouse are at decent professional wages. But if you are single and making only $60-70K a year, it's probably not enough in Orange County. That's how ridiculous prices are here. Three-bedroom condos/townhouses here sell for $580K - 640K, two-bedrooms condo/townhouses sell for $510K - $550K. You're best bet maybe is in far San Bernardino county or farther towards the deserts going to Las Vegas, like Victorville, Hemet, etc. Hope that helps!

Hi, Here's the info I got when I signed up in their website to get information last week. LVN - $29,900 LVN to RN - $34,500 Pharmacy Tech - $9,990 Medical Asst - $10,950 Hope that helps!

Hi, For those of you who have taken Edukan's online A&P course or CCC online or Rio Salado's, have you ever tried transferring your credits to Santa Ana College in California? I am not sure if they are okay with an online lab component. I do know that A&P has to be 4 units with lab component, but not sure if online lab is okay. Somebody in this forum has mentioned that those schools don't indicate online courses on their transcripts as online. However, I might get asked how I could have possibly taken classes out of state if I lived in California. That would only mean those classes were online. I guess I should just forget about taking online courses, huh? Any thoughts? The problem is Santa Ana College assigns me a late registration appointment according to number of units completed at their school. And every time my time comes up to register, it's already too late, all A&P sections are already full. I actually would have to keep taking blow-off classes just to rack up enough units to get an earlier priority registration appointment. I have a BS already, and so have all the Gen ed courses done. All I really need are A&P, and Micro. I just can't believe how hard it is to become a nurse. Geez! I mean, I'm just talking about prerequisites here, and already having a hard time. Any thoughts? Thanks!

Hi, For those of you who have taken Edukan's online A&P course or CCC online or Rio Salado's, have you ever tried transferring your credits to Santa Ana College in California? I am not sure if they are okay with an online lab component. I do know that A&P has to be 4 units with lab component, but not sure if online lab is okay. Somebody in this forum has mentioned that those schools don't indicate online courses on their transcripts as online. However, I might get asked how I could have possibly taken classes out of state if I lived in California. That would only mean those classes were online. I guess I should just forget about taking online courses, huh? Any thoughts? The problem is Santa Ana College assigns me a late registration appointment according to number of units completed at their school. And every time my time comes up to register, it's already too late, all A&P sections are already full. I actually would have to keep taking blow-off classes just to rack up enough units to get an earlier priority registration appointment. I have a BS already, and so have all the Gen ed courses done. All I really need are A&P, and Micro. I just can't believe how hard it is to become a nurse. Geez! I mean, I'm just talking about prerequisites here, and already having a hard time. Any thoughts? Thanks!

hi all, last jan. 22nd, i received an email or e-brochure indicating that the lvn to bsn through college network & indiana state university through a partnership with sonoma state univ in california for the clinical portion is now approved for calif lvns by the ca board of nursing. here's exactly what i received: "the lvn to bsn online program has been specifically designed for california nurses through an exclusive relationship between the college network, indiana state university, and sonoma state university. this program is accepted by the california board of registered nursing! earn the degree you've always wanted! [color=#003399]click here for more information or call now 1-800-395-1014 discover the advantages of earning your bsn degree through indiana state university: no waiting list - start now! nlnac accredited program graduates are eligible to sit for rn licensure financing and academic success are guaranteed* higher pay, up to $15,000 more per yearprogram details you can complete up to 50% of your course work through self-study using the college network's comprehensive learning modules, and complete your upper-level courses online with indiana state university. indiana state university has partnered with sonoma state university to provide students with the opportunity to complete their clinicals locally through the use of california approved clinical facilities. " can anyone please tell me what you know about this? how true is this? i want to get any opinion from our members here. otherwise, i will be calling the ca bon, and confirm with them. waiting for your comments on this... thanks!

Hi, My wife & I are planning on opening up our own Home Health agency. She is a very experienced hospital RN, while I have an engineering and accounting background. My only healthcare experience/knowledge was that I managed to get certified as a nursing assistant or CNA (certified nursing assistant) by taking a 9-week course, and passing the state exam (written and clinical). I never actually took a job as one since I still have my day-time office job. Beyond that, I have no other significant healthcare experience. For those of you who are already operating a Home Health agency, my question to you is given my background, what do you think I could contribute to this partnership? What major role can I take on to help her out. What can she use me as? I was thinking of studying for my LVN or LPN but that would take time, and we both wanted to set up the business now. Maybe I could study something short-term like medical coding and billing? Would this be a significant help for the business? I found an online certificate in Case Management but I am hesitant to take it since I am not even an RN or LVN/LPN. I'm afraid it will be over my head. The only other thing I could think of would be as an Office Manager of some sort. But what would I exactly be doing as an Office Manager in a Home Health agency office? Thanks, I would appreciate any thoughtful advice or insight you could give me.

What a strange coincidence ! I am exactly on the same boat as you are. Anyway, to answer your question, I would just go ahead with the LVN program, and forget about your job in Stanford reason being is that there is always a potential to lose a job unexpectedly, get fired or laid off or something. What if you decided to do your prereqs, and keep your Stanford job, and then get into trouble with another co-worker or with your boss, and get fired or laid off, then what are your going to do? For me, doing the LVN program is a surer bet. First, once you are an LVN, you are closer to becoming an RN later. Second, it is relatively easier to get another LVN job is you happen to lose one unexpectedly. At this point in my life, I cannot take the risk. As you get older, you would want to only take a surer route. I am just done with taking career risks. I don't want to do that anymore. I have done that too many times when I was younger, and my advice to younger folks is to secure yourself first, and then you can take any kind of risk later on, and it would not matter so much at that point whatever the result is since you already have something secure, and stable going for you. If the result is positive, then I'd consider that as a bonus. I am not saying that you shouldn't take risks in life because sometimes with greater risk comes greater rewards. But you can certainly choose when to do it. For me, I'd rather secure myself first and go with a much surer path, and then later on, go with something riskier if I still want to. Hope that helps! Just my 2 cents...I could be wrong and am certainly not an expert... Good Luck on your decision. Let us know what you decide on...Post back here, if you will.

The Golden West weekend program is not weekend perce. It's actually Friday/Saturday/Sunday. So if you're thinking of working a full-time M-F job, then you can't do this program. You really have to give up working full-time. Just work part-time around your nursing school, that maybe the best way to go. As far as the Mount St. Mary's, it is evening lectures, and weekend clinicals. A lot of folks end up quitting their jobs due to amount of school work that need to be done. Also, there are special projects that require weekday day-time hours in which to complete it. I think one of them is the mental health project, if I'm not mistaken. Attend their orientation, and they will tell you about it. Good luck!

Oh, boy, I think that's too much work for every week. Imagine, you have 5 things to do by Saturday of each week (Chapter ques, webliography, virtual lab, threaded disc postings, and quiz or exam), not to mention the study time. This is a big joke! No wonder students complain about how hard A&P is. I'm sure the concepts are not that hard to learn, but it's the amount of extra stuff you have to turn in that's physically draining. What's with the Webliography? Sounds like a waste of time. How difficult are her test questions? Are they from the chapter readings or from her slides? Thanks for the input! I appreciate it. I wonder if CCC online (Colorado Consortium) is any easier as far as weekly requirements. Anybody have any ideas? Thanks again.

Hi, I am planning to take AP 1 with Reichert, Session 1 in the Fall 2006. I know you girls had Simmons for your AP1 but was wondering if you have heard of Reichert's testing style and generally the way she handles the class, if its's more work under her or not compared to Simmons or Terry Lee's. I will be working full-time 9-6 Mon-Fri, and so the only times I can really work on this class is at night. Weekends for me would be quite tough for me to get any class work done as I have a 3-yr daughter with me Saturdays and Sundays. Thanks for your input!

The pre-assessment test was not hard. You just have to be fast, though, in answering the questions. It is basic English, and math through algebra. They say to use a GED review book, but I think that may be overdoing it. Overall, don't worry about the test too much. It's not hard at all! They take in about 300 students after this test, for the prereq course which is Fund I. This prereq class is crucial. It is important to get an A on this one. You could almost guarantee acceptance into the 13-month program if you get an A on this. Most of the people in my class, if not all, have gotten A's on this class. The flipside is I have known a lot of people who have gotten C's on this class who didn't get in. I cannot stress the importance of this prereq class enough. However, Fund I isn't hard if you study everyday, and try to do all the assigned readings before lecture. Also, listen and remember everything said in the lecture. Don't forget about the homework assigments too. Basically, if you do get into the prereq class, give it your 100% commitment. Hope that helps!

Hello, I am in California right now, and have an LVN license. I am thinking of temporarily moving to one of the states where ISU had agreements to do clinicals at. Once I complete this LVN/LPN-BSN degree, which one can I do? 1) Can I move back to California, and apply to take the California NCLEX? 2) Should I first take the NCLEX in the state where I did my clinicals at, and then later endorse the license to California? I am hoping I could do option 1 above since it would be quicker to do it that way. Thanks for the info.

Hi Steve, I am in California right now, but am thinking of moving to a state where ISU had agreements to do clinicals at. Once I complete this LVN/LPN-BSN degree, can I move back to Cali and apply to take the CA NCLEX? How about if I take NCLEX in the state where I did my clinicals at, and then endorse the license to California? I assume that California would be okay with distance education as long as you have hands-on clinicals, right? Thanks for the info.

Hi Steve, I am in California right now, but am thinking of moving to a state where ISU had agreements to do clinicals at. Once I complete this LVN/LPN-BSN degree, can I move back to Cali and apply to take the CA NCLEX? How about if I take NCLEX in the state where I did my clinicals at, and then endorse the license to California? I assume that California would be okay with distance education as long as you have hands-on clinicals, right? Thanks for the info.

Hi, Please read message #10 in this thread. I offered some suggestions there on how you could increase your chances on getting accepted. To answer your question more specifically, it is better to take a CNA course. It will give you a better insight as to what nurses have to deal with on a daily basis. Besides, when CNAs are busy or are not readily available, LVNs and RNs help out with CNA duties, and answer patient's call light, so you should be able to step in whenever necessary. Also, as an LVN or RN, you will be supervising them in the hospital setting, and what a better way to understand their plight than being a CNA yourself at some point. Also, ROP gives you points for CNA, and more if you have actually worked with pay as a CNA. They may give you points for MA but it is definitely not as high as you would get for CNA. MAs work in a doctor's clinic primarily, and they assist the doctors or nurse practitioners. The focus is different. They mainly do vital signs, measure height, weight, and draw blood if you are also certified as a phlebotomist. If you are also certified to take x-rays, you can perform x-rays as well. But those are additional training on top of your medical assistant training. However, you won't be actually taking care of unstable sickly people the way nurses do. You are considered an auxiliary to a doctor to help him in his diagnosis. You basically do the preliminary routine checks like height, weight, vital signs, filing, greeting patients, and showing them to their rooms, stocking up supplies in the room, and answering phones. Also if you were trained in medical billing and coding, you would do that and spend a lot of time reading doctors notes, and on the computer. But if you really want to be an LVN or RN someday, starting out as a CNA would be better for you in the long run. You said you have a BS degree already, ROP actually gives you points for that as well. There are actually a lot of people who apply as well, and they may also possess BS degrees, some even have MS degrees. However, if you have a good GPA, that's another plus. You actually get certain points depending on your GPA. Obviously, having a GPA between 3.5 - 4.0 gives you more points than a "C" or 3.0 GPA. Hope that helps!

Don't think that the CNA is a waste of time. Even though it's only worth 10 points, it would help you gain insight into what nursing is all about right off the bat, instead of finding out that you didn't really like to be a nurse at all after going through all the hoops to get into the program or middle of the program. It will have saved you time and misery later on. Also, if you happen to be one of those people who didn't take CNA, and then drop out in the middle of the program after realizing nursing is not for them, then you would have wasted the resources on yourself when someone else could have taken your place in the beginning, and finished the program. For me, I think, they should give more points for getting your CNA, and having a paid CNA experience before applying. This would encourage people to take nursing more seriously, and deter anyone who are unsure of themselves from taking the opportunity away from the more deserving students. Anyway, my advice to you is to get your CNA first. If, after taking it, and still like to be a nurse, then by all means, spend the time & energy into racking up points to get into the program. Get CNA paid work experience, and get an A on your Fundamentals I class. Then apply. If you don't get in the first time, take Home Health aide class, other college science courses, like A&P I/II, Microbiology. These would help you get more points when you apply the second time. Then, apply the second time. For the interview, prepare for it like you are applying for a real job. Dress professionally in order to impress the interviewers. Try not to show that you're nervous. Try to project confidence, etc. etc. Come prepared for whatever documents that you have not already provided them with. That way they got absolutely everything they need to make a decision. Sounds like a lot of work to you? Well, kind of. Anything worth doing in life won't come in a silver platter. It needs effort. Besides, all that work is nothing compared to the stress, and problems you will encounter once you start working as a nurse. Nurses are really problem-solvers while on the floor as you juggle assessments, care plans, procedures, doctor's orders, family members, and all the other tasks you have to do during your shift, not to mention co-worker disputes, and other office politics. Anyway, good luck to you!!!

They didn't really show me the final number of points I got. But, based on my own tally, I think I have about 80 points, somewhere around there.

Hi, If you read her post again, the experience has to be in the U.S. since, as she said, nursing is very different in the U.S. than in other countries.

Hi ktc445, I read your post. Well, I got accepted and will be starting the 13-month program in 2 weeks on May 30, 2006. What is your take on working part-time on weekends while going through the program. I know the program is only M-F but you're off by 3:30 pm. I was thinking I could study weekday nites, and work all day Sat/Sun. How demanding is the program? Also do you have any tips or do's and don'ts while going thru the program? Lastly, you said you'll be in the LVN-BSN program. Which school is this? Thanks for your insights. I appreciate it. Regards, maleRn_one (soon :) )

Puh-leez dont go to Pacific College, you will regret it like many others who went through the program. For one, the school lets you loose out on the floor without showing you the clinical skills. They just give a handout and you're supposed to figure out everything on your own. I think for any student who is first learning about nursing concepts especially clinical skills, the teacher needs to demonstrate and give a visual on how a specific skill is done. This not only compromises your safety but the patients' as well. They also keep changing the academic policies in the middle of your program. One time they said you can't retake your end of term test after failing it. You are automatically kicked out if you fail this one test, no matter if you have passed all your quizzes and clinical portion. No second chances. You lose your money that you paid for the term. No refunds whatsover. You could be out 3-6K dollars. Some students got kicked out, then later we found out, other students who also failed were actually allowed to continue into the 2nd term, and have them pay for the 2nd term, obviously. These very students later failed the 2nd term just like they did the first term and then they are let go. Also, they actually don't tell or show you your score on term test. You pretty much have to rely on what they say, if you pass or fail. Hmmm...to me, this sounds fishy. I mean, if they are not lying to you or hiding something from you, why wouldn't they show it to you? After all, you have the right to it, it is your test score. They also schedule tests after clinicals, which is ridiculous. This means you need to go back to campus after being on the floor for 8 hrs (from 6:30 am to 3pm) to take the test. How can you take a test and pass, if you are physically, mentally, and emotionally drained by that time. This is because they have shortened some sections of the program to a few weeks. For example, the CNA portion used to be 9 weeks, they cut it down to 6 weeks. The General education used to be 9 weeks also, and now it's only 6 weeks. What they're doing is shortening the program cycle so they could open up more starting classes a few more times a year. They obviously want to make more money at the expense of the students themselves, whether they have sufficient time to learn the material or not, they don't care. Now you tell me, is this a good school or what? I actually know a lot of people who transferred to Concorde and said that they were glad they made the switch, and that they are learning a lot, both theories and clinical skills. Concorde is more expensive, but it sure is worth it. These same people said that going to Pacific College is a joke, an utter waste of time and money.

Hi, I'd like to know if the A&P online tests for Bio 201 in CCC online are ever timed? Can you take your time in asnwering the questions, and really think about the answers? I just want to make sure I have enough time to finish the test, and ace it? Also, how is the grade for the course broken down? Are the midterm and finals 60% of the grade or the quizzes 10%? Do you have to turn in any homeworks? Thanks for all your input!:)

I would like to get your opinion about where it would be better to take A&P from: Rio Salado or CCC Online? 1) Which one doesn't indicate on the transcript that it is an online class? 2) Which one has essay questions on the exams? 3) Which one has the exams proctored offline? Which one has exams entirely online? 4) Which one has the instructor more accessible if you ever have questions about the material? 5) Which one responds more quickly and promptly? 6) Do the instructor respond by email or can you call them by phone to discuss your questions? 7) Which one is cheaper for out of state students? Thank you all very much for your input!