dbacon0328

I just graduated from the RN program and I can't stop my phone from ringing! No problem finding a job. Work in PCU at hospital right up the street and applying for IL license as we speak.

i think that's great that you encourage others! that's very sweet of you! maybe i should have came to these postings a long time ago. as a young minority nurse working in south county, it has become apparent to me that some minds are just closed and made up. pursing my msn has been a life long dream for me and i am currently working on my bsn as we speak. so i guess it's too late for me to realize my limitations. thank you for the much needed encouragement and support, i will carry it with me always. some info for those regarding tuition: sbc: $24,000 lpn-rn (all inclusive) chamberlain: $21,420 lpn-rn (not incl fees, uniforms, etc) $64,260 3yr bsn (not incl fees, uniforms, etc) slu: $31,000 bsn (not incl fees, uniforms, etc) swic(comm college) $7500 3yr rn (not incl fees, uniforms, etc) umsl $31,000 bsn (not incl fees, uniforms, etc) hope this helps anyone out there!

i read your post over again and this is what you said.........

I definitely have no displaced anger. I am very happy with my decision. Since you are the only one responding, I am simply defending my decision. I just wish that people would be more open minded and non judgmental. That's what's wrong with society today. People are so quick to judge. Chamberlain students also pay very high tuition as well as SLU. I have several friends that went to each. Community colleges are probably the cheapest way to go. I only had a problem with the wait lists. I was to attend Southwestern Illinois College but was denied entrance to the program because I was missing one class and would have to wait another year to apply. I had already spent 3 years obtaining most of the needed classes and my LPN. Also if a person chooses to pay more for something, they have to be degraded for it? That doesn't make any sense. You darn skippy education is priceless. The feeling I had when I looked at the SBN website with my name on it was a feeling I will never forget. Maybe you need to read your posts cause I do recall something about some hospitals are wary to hire SBC grads or something to that effect. If you got your BS from a local private university I'm sure you paid a whole lot more than me. My sister has her BS from SIUC and is pursuing her Masters from Lindenwood and I have seen her bills. Let's not forget nursing is always overcharged per credit hour anyway. In regards to the SBC posts in the past, I can only speak for right here and now and my experience. Not the experience of the disgruntled and unhappy students of the past.

I think that you are truly unaware of your blessings. I am counting mine and moving on. I am very proud of myself and the other 11 out of 15 classmates that have passed on the first try. I am also proud of the way that SBC is trying to improve their pass rates and education standards. I would pay any amount of money to have the freedom and opportunities that I do now. In fact I have an ER interview tomorrow. Pat on the back for me and anyone else improving their lives without the approval of others. Look down on SBC grads if you want but you may need to hire or work with one one day soon. Education is priceless to me and I am very happy with my decision. I will keep everyone updated on my progress in the years to come. I'm only 27, I got plenty of time! IM SO SO HAPPY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh and to let u all know, I passed my boards on the first try Tues!!!!!!!! YAY!!!

Well I am another testimony to the pearson vue trick. I tried several times to re register to take the exam and it never got to the payment page. I found out I passed by checking the Missouri State BON registry. I didnt even pay for my results! IM SO HAPPY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anytime! Good Luck! I know you will make whatever decision is best for you no matter what! Keep us updated!

Put yourself in my shoes. That's all I'm saying. What's good for you may not be good for me. I value everyone's opinion whether I agree or not. I'm saying personally I had no problem with the school. I already explained why I took this route. I thought it may help others out there. It does show your age on your profile. A lot of the people who have replied are younger folk. I mean I know I'm young too but I have had to mature quite fast. I definitely value an older nurse's opinoin. I have two aunts that have been nurses for over 25 years. They are both charge at major hospitals. I asked their opinion on my education and they didn't see a problem with it at all. One of them went to a four year university. They both said that considering my situation, it was best for me. When you have little money like most of us these days, and you are living day to day, sometimes you just have to do what you have to. I see what you are saying though. Just don't down the school because it makes nurses like me who went there and successfully passed their boards on the first try just a tad bit offended.

My kids are babies. They are 8, 5, and 2. And my husband is also in college. We are high school sweethearts and we had our first baby a year out of high school. I don't know how your story compares to some of the people that are in my class or me. Those kids are the reason why I live and if there is any way for me to better myself for them, the sooner the better. This has been a tough year and I couldn't imagine doing it for 3+ years. But really if SBC is not for you then don't do it. Do what you feel is best for you. Not everyone is the same. I'm just saying that God makes a way for everything, believe me. I have seen it and lived through it in only 27 years.....

You are correct and that is our personal decisions. Many of you that are talking about SBC are younger people who dont have a husband, kids, or work that you have seniority. I definitely agree that it does take some research to find out what school will accept you. Personally, I have done my research and will be happy to help anyone who needs help. Do what you feel is best for you and your family. Nursing education is highly expensive anyway. Right now I am concerned with the well being of my 3 children and the option of increasing my income and stature. This is why I chose SBC. I feel as though my education was good for me and I was willing to pay any price to better the lives of my family.

Oh and there are people in very high positions that went to the University of Who Knows What. It's a matter of experience.

We are all nurses and we take the same NCLEX. Period.

thank u

Well SBC now has a BSN program and I begin tomorrow. I have already spoken to several schools that are willing to accept SBC. Belive me, I WOULD NOT have gone if I I didnt do the research. Chamberlain was more than willing to accept me and so was Webster. They are looking at the RN (the fact that you passed the NCLEX and have an unrestricted nursing license) to give you credits. Its called articulation process. IT was made to help with the shortage of qualified professors in nursing. I do know what I'm talking about. And I will show anyone doubting how far I will get by having that MSN behind my name in 3 years or less. I do agree that they need higher standards for acceptance into the program. Some of the students were not academically ready for such an accelerated program. Also some of the students did not have the experience or knowledge of acute care. By the way CHamberlain costs more than SBC. I looked it up. THe program works great for those of us trying to increase our knowledge without having to go over the basics all over again. It was good for me and I am ready for boards, believe me. And MOST of the instructors were excellent and the director was more than helpful. :grad:

Well I got this book called Eat THis NOt That and it really helped me with my fast food choices. Cause I was always on the go. And I'm a night shift worker so I drank LOTS of water when I got the craving to eat something bad for me. Granola bars with the protein are good. Fruit is always good. And switch your milk to 1 percent or even skim. Believe me it works. Lean Cuisine meals for lunch and smart one desserts are very tasty. But make sure you exercise at least 4 days a week. GOOD LUCK!!!

In the beginning I gained weight because I was so stressed about being a 4.0 student. Now that I'm ok with a 3.0 I have lost 30 pounds and I graduated today. Now the weight gain for boards begins! But seriously, I go to the gym at least 4 days a week and I eat healthy snacks only and drink water. LOTS OF WATER. You can do the add ins. But the exercise and water and watching the over eating. It's not called a diet, it's a lifestyle change. GOOD LUCK!!!:wink2:

I know I'm late!!! But I saw this and had to reply. I am an SBC grad and will take my boards soon. I've heard bad things about all nursing programs and I think it's really inaccurate of people to call out on one. I worked just as hard to pass and will do the same to pass the same boards that other graduates will take. I don't think its fair and I think that it is discrimination against SBC nurses. It's the same NCLEX examination for everyone. Also, you can find a school that will accept you. It's up to you to do the research. Everyone is doing online these days so who is to say that all education is "quality" education. Please think before you speak.

I am a current graduate of Sanford Brown. It was ok. I can't say I had the greatest experience but who does in nursing school. There are some very very knowledgable teachers there but then there are a couple of really inexperienced ones as well. I think that they need to have a harder entrance for LPNs to the school because people seem to think that it is so easy to get in so any and everybody applies and actually gets accepted. I will have no problem passing my boards and I cant speak for anyone else so, you be your own judge. But just to let you know, most employers just want to see that RN behind your name. They could care less where you went. This is most likely due to the current nursing shortage. GOOD LUCK!!!

Just graduated today. The program has its ups and downs. But it really worked for a working mother of 3 like me. Going on for my BSN there. Will be done with that May 2010.

I know exactly how you feel. Failed the PN exam on Halloween this year. Took it a second time today with less questions but more time. Hopefully I passed. I had to move on. I had already started a new job as a GPN and a couple of girls from my class work at the same place. And those girls passed. So I had to go back to being a student nurse (nurse aide) for the next 45 days. But it helped me know that good things don't come free. Good Luck next time and God Bless!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:) :)

Well I was looking at Indiana State University who works with The College Network. I haven't really heard any opinions on it but I need it. I have two young children, work 72 hours per week, and my husband is in school full time 3 days per week. The youngest doesn't start school until 2008 and we couldn't possibly afford daycare right now. Any suggestions for me? I'm 23 and take LPN boards on Halloween. Hope Ive helped you a little.

When I went up to DCN they told me that they would not accept my A and P even though it was taken at the same institution. Are they just bullying me around or what?

Well I wanted to be a doctor and then changed my mind after learning all the things they go through (which is why they are so darn cranky). I became an aide senior year. I also got pregnant at senior prom. So my aunt is a wonderful wonderful nurse so I looked it up. I never knew that nurses made as much money as they do or do as much as they do for people. So I went to community college pregnant and all. My husband and I moved into our own pad. I had the baby but never followed through with my plans to become a nurse. Then I got pregnant again. I went to community college pregnant and all again determined to get through. After not being accepted into the program there because I didn't have all my pre reqs I went to become an LPN. I take LPN boards Halloween. I have applied to Barnes Jewish School of nursing and thanks to all my hard work when I was pregnant, I have most of my pre reqs. I eventually want to work in Maternal-Newborn nursing and become a FNP. Allthough my husband and I are young (23) and my kids are young (4,2) and my husband is in school as well, I know that I will achieve my dreams one day but hopefully before I'm 30! Any advice out there let me know!!!!

Has anyone finished the LPN to ADN from excelsior or the LPN to BSN from ISU thru the college network? How was it? Were the clinical sites hard to find? And how do you find one?