L&D_2b

I'll keep you posted. We have a new Dean of Nursing this year, so will see if anything changes. --Marci

No, there is nothing else you can do, Sorry. I'm starting their program at the end of this month. Entrance is completely based on GPA. If you did well with your last 12 credits, you should be fine. I think my GPA for the last 12 credits was a 3.85. I believe they accept applications up until December, so you should hear something by February. Good luck! --Marci

Butler Community College's (http://www.bc3.edu) RN nursing program admission is based on your last 12 semester hours of nursing college credit. Admission is ranked by GPA from those last 12 semester hours. You can apply up until December for next fall (2010). There is no admission interview, pre-entrance tests, etc. So you can literally enroll as a pre-nursing student now, take 12 credits while trying to do EXTREMELY well, and get in next fall. I hope this helps. --Marci

I don't know where you are located, but Minnesota has a nice LPN program. The lectures are online and clinicals are done in person. You can check them out at http://www.distance.minnesota.edu Good luck.

I've never heard of it (but I live in PA). However, why not check with your state board of nursing about their NCLEX pass rates? That will help you to decide if it is a program you might like to attend. Not all practical nursing programs are found in community colleges. Here in PA, many are in vocational/technical schools. However, they all lead to the same thing; the NCLEX test and licensure. Good luck in whatever you decide.

txakolina, Thanks so much for the info. This might sound dumb, but did you have classes on August 25 or you left Wisconsin that day? I'm trying to figure out whether to apply to the October cohort or the May one. I really don't want to miss the "first day of school" for my kids. Also, how difficult is it to get into this program? I have a 3.68 gpa in my undergraduate degree. I have a 3.9 so far is science prerequistes for the program. I'm a CNA and a volunteer at a local assisted living facility. What do you think my chances are? Thanks, Marci

When about did you have "bootcamp" during the month of August? Was it the beginning of August or the end? I'm applying to the program as well and I would hate to miss my kids first days of school if I get in. Also, did you stay on campus? Did most of your classmates stay on campus, or did they get a hotel? Thanks, Marci

I just found this address on their website: 420 Rouser Road Building 3, Suite 101 Airport Office Park Moon Township, PA I think I will go to the open house as well. --Marci

No, I don't know where they moved to. However, I would be interested in knowing if they moved near the airport as well. If anyone knows, please post. --Marci

My kids are 13, 9, 5 and 2. I finished the first level of an LPN program and then just recently switched to an RN program. --Marci

Wow, we have a great deal in common. Even right down to the 4 kids! I actually though I wrote this post for a minute. I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one who didn't enjoy teaching. --Marci

The news articles explain the procedure. The lecture portion is online, while the clinicals are on site. I guess it should be called a "hybrid" program because clinicals are still done in person. However, it is a more flexible program because the lectures can be done online.

I saw this news release the other day and I though it might be of some interest to those here. http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20080401005225&newsLang=en http://www.rueed.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=news.home&itemID=51&type=1&menusection=8&subsection=120 I wrote to the National Education Alliance listed in the press releases and they said the program is set to start in early 2009 as a pilot program to the south eastern portion of the country. After the first class passes the NCLEX PN, it will become available to rest of the country. Take Care, Marci

Does anyone know of any good LPN, associates, or diploma RN nursing programs near Youngstown, OH? I've been looking at a list of LPN programs in the state, but I'm not sure of which cities are near Youngstown. I have been Yahoo mapping some of them only to find that they are 4 hours away:( Thanks, Marci

I have a bachelors degree in education with an overall 3.65 GPA. However, my school only used the grades and courses that were relevent to their program (ie, sciences, math, psychology, english, etc.) They then refigured my GPA based on those courses and I think I had a 3.85. If you did well in prerequisite courses and explained the situation for the other grades, I think you have an great shot at an RN program. However, apply to more than one school. You never want to limit your options and put all of your "eggs in one basket". Good luck! --Marci

Can you transfer any of your RN credits to the LPN program to lighten your courseload? Or if you can, try taking all of your pre-requisites first so you can concentrate on just the nursing courses. Children make going to a nursing program hard. I know, I have 4 myself. However, they also give you the determination you need to succeed. Good luck. I'm sure you will find your path to nursing. Sometimes it just takes awhile. --Marci, SN

Sorry all, but my computer has been broken. Hence, the delay. I finished level 1 with an "A". However, (and I hate to tell all of you this) I have decided to move to an RN program this fall. I think it is the best route for me. I really want to work in L&D or a NICU someday. Around here, I need an RN license to do that. However, the LPN program just wet my whistle for nursing. For all of you aspiring LPN students out there, stop reading this post and GO FOR IT. You will be so happy you did. If you can't go full-time, look into part time programs. Everyone here can do it. It just takes a great deal of determination and a true love of nursing. Good luck to you all! --Marci, SN

thanks so much for posting your experiences as well. i'm sure many aspiring lpn students will consider it an "eye opener" as to what school will be like. thanks again! --marci, spn

Did you get the study guide? You can buy it at http://www.eriworld.com. I think it is around $30. It is EXACTLY like the test since it is made by the same people. You will go great! Keep studying. --Marci, SPN

Congratulations! Get your house in order now. It's going to be a bumpy ride! The only suggestions I can give you are to always stay on top of your work. It's way too hard to play "catch up" with the amount of information you will be covering each day. Make sure you read, read, read. And when attending clinicals, get in there and get your hands dirty! The only way you are going to learn is to try new things. --Marci, SPN

Well, my last clinical day is this Monday. I'm so glad to be done. I was in a nursing home this level. If I pass the final, I will move on to acute care and get to go to a hospital next level. I believe we are on a med-surg floor. Yeah! Only 3 more class days left until the final. I have nine more days to learn and review everything I can before I take it. Like I said before, if I don't pass the final, I don't pass the course. It doesn't matter what grade you have had all semester long. I'll let you all know if I pass or not. If I do, I will go back to school for two days of Level 2. Then we have a 3 week break for summer. I'll keep you all posted as to my progress. I hope everyone is doing well in their programs. --Marci, SPN

Yes, we will be in the building at the same time some weeks. Lecture is usually Tuesdays and/or Wednesdays for me next level. I'll have to seek you out in July. If you are reading these posts, you will be getting a "heads up" as to how hard each test is. Study hard and pay attention, and I'm sure you will do fine. Orientation is boring. However, you will get the chance to meet Dr. M. and the rest of your class. Other than that, it is all study skills classes and information about the policy of the program. It was nice hearing from you. --Marci

Well, as you all know, I'm 31, married, and have four great kids. I'm in a part time program that is 22 months long. I will graduate November 19, 2009. Yeah! I have a bachelors degree in education, but I really love nursing and would like to continue my education after I graduate. At this point, I believe I will enroll in ISU's LPN to BSN program. Good luck to you all. --Marci

Well, I'm currently down to 4 days lecture and two days clinical. Boy, the last 6 months have just flown by. Sometimes I think I still don't know anything, and then someone comes along and asks me a nursing question and I can just rattle off the answer like nothing. Sometimes I amaze myself! Well, we had the cardiac test yesterday. That was, by far, the hardest test yet. Half of the class failed it (80 is passing). Luckily, I made an 89 and passed. One more regular test to go (respiratory), and then it is off to the final. I don't know how other schools do it: but if you fail the final at my school, you fail the course regardless as to what your overall grade was. Crappy policy if you ask me, but who am I to judge? The same old, petty stuff is still going on in class. I try to turn my back to it as much as I can. I came here for a nursing license, that's all I'm interested in knowing about. Now my classmates are busy "talking" about who will pass and who will fail the final. What ever happened to "love thy neighbor"? We are up to two residents each in clinical. I like it better. It keeps me busier. I'm always out asking the nurses if there is anything else I can do. I really like it when they let me watch or even do (with supervision) treatments for them. The only way I'm going to learn is to get out there, right? The final isn't until June 17. Please keep your fingers crossed for me that I will pass. I need to keep you all updated as to what Level 2 (med surg) is like. --Marci, SPN

You will learn more in clinicals. I rarely learn anything great in lab. Every nursing skill I currently possess, I learned "hands on" in clinicals. Don't worry, you will be fine. --Marci