I would say that it does take a lot of self discipline. The exams are a piece of cake. Paying all the fees however is a little rough if you do not qualify for any financial aide like myself. I am scheduled for the CPNE (the mother-load of all tests!!!) in Jan 2013 and I have been studying like a crazy woman. I hope to pass on the 1st try. I hear a lot about failures online.... however I personally know at least 3 people that have passed on the first try, I am not sure how your state will not "accept" graduates of this program. If you have a license, you are a RN, it doesn’t matter where you graduated from!! -Lisa LPN and soon to be RN!