Really need advice!

elkpark · Apr 9, 2008

There are lots of threads about TCN and the other publishing companies on this forum -- it would be well worth your time to find and review them. Here is one recent one (that I know of offhand because I posted on it):

https://allnurses.com/forums/f125/college-network-294459.html

Are you already aware that TCN is not a college/degree-granting institution? That's the first thing to understand clearly. You do not get a degree from them -- they sell you study materials intended to help you complete a distance-learning program offered by a "real" college or university. You can go directly through these same colleges and universities without paying TCN to be a "middleman." And, since TCN is a business operating to make a profit, obviously, you pay TCN quite a bit more than you would pay the school directly.

Also, be aware that the College Network "rep" you will be talking to is a salesman -- nothing more, nothing less. S/he is not an academic advisor, not looking out for your best interests, or anything like that. S/he is there to make a sale, and will tell you whatever you want to hear to make the sale.

I can't tell you whether this is a good idea for you or not. Some people here are very happy with their experience with TCN, others consider it the worst thing that ever happened to them. (Read the threads!) In any case, please understand up front that you will be signing a legally binding contract -- if you decide you are unhappy with their services/products later on, just decide you don't need their help, change your mind about completing the program, whatever, you will still be obligated to them for the full cost of their program.

So, whatever you decide, consider your decision very carefully. Best wishes --

Lorie P. · Apr 9, 2008

please be sure to read all the post on college network. it may or may not be for you, only you can decide that.

just make sure to way to the pros/cons.

also check out the following,

www.excelsior.edu and read their advice on publishing companies.

you need not go through any company to get to the excelsior.

the college network will cost an average of 5,000.00 just use their study guides.

i use my books from lpn school, get the previous editions from ebay and have saved a ton of money.

good luck to you!

chaxanmom · Apr 9, 2008

College Network Rep coming next week. I really need to know from you guys if this is a good thing to pursue. I am nervous but I don't want to get involved with a scam. I am an LPN and want my RN. If I can get the BSN then great. But I have lots of questions. Any advice would be be appreciated.

It's not a scam but there may better options like using them for some stuff and not others. Here's what you do: Go to the meeting and get the paper from them telling you what modules you will need but DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING!!!!!!!!!! Bring the paper home and tell us which classes you still need (is this for Excelsior or ISU??) then we will tell you what to do, er, I mean help you figure out options.

Emerld2000 · Apr 9, 2008

I met with TCN last week but did not sign. Its just seemed to expensive and I already owe $20,000 in student loans. I did a little reasearch and want to go directly through Excelsier. I have no idea how to get started. I plan on taking three class at my local CC over the summer and then I will need

Ethics, Micro and A&P and off course all my LVN-RN courses.

Any advise? Should I by pass summer school and take the other courses with excelsier?

:nurse:Emerld2000:nurse:

NC Girl BSN · Apr 9, 2008

Cancel your appointment and go on Ebay and buy the modules for a lot cheaper. I bought four modules on Ebay for $118. If I would have went through them it would have cost $2000 for 4 modules. They are not a college, they cannot evaluate your transcripts and they cannot give you a degree. They are an overpriced publishing company.

The decision is ultimately up to you.They are good talkers and persistent. If you invite them over, you might be tempted to sign and pay them 10k for study modules to only find that EC is really not the type of learner that you are. Regardless, you will have to pay the money to them. I don't want to see you posting in a few months on how you got scammed by TCN. Most people who sign with them feel that way. Go directly through EC and pay 5k for all the nursing exams. Good Luck!

mariyahsmommy · Apr 10, 2008

It's not a scam but there may better options like using them for some stuff and not others. Here's what you do: Go to the meeting and get the paper from them telling you what modules you will need but DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING!!!!!!!!!! Bring the paper home and tell us which classes you still need (is this for Excelsior or ISU??) then we will tell you what to do, er, I mean help you figure out options.

It is for ISU. The more I hear, the more nervous I am. They emailed me a list of courses I would have to take. There are 14 of them!

Technical writing; Intro to Computing; Public Speaking; A&P; Chemistry; Microbiology; Lifespan Development Psych; Analysis of Literature; Ethics; American History II; World Religion; Gerontology; Pathophysiology; Statistics; All this @ $495 each for a total of $6930 Plus Rx for NCLEX success prep at $495 Plus 4 CSM's (customized study materials) for $2520; application fee $25; Phase II testing fees $873.75; Tuition for Phase III $10,019; technology fee of $360 and distance education fee$360. Pocket Change ???!!! :twocents: !!!!

chaxanmom · Apr 10, 2008

It is for ISU. The more I hear, the more nervous I am. They emailed me a list of courses I would have to take. There are 14 of them!
Technical writing; Intro to Computing; Public Speaking; A&P; Chemistry; Microbiology; Lifespan Development Psych; Analysis of Literature; Ethics; American History II; World Religion; Gerontology; Pathophysiology; Statistics; All this @ $495 each for a total of $6930 Plus Rx for NCLEX success prep at $495 Plus 4 CSM's (customized study materials) for $2520; application fee $25; Phase II testing fees $873.75; Tuition for Phase III $10,019; technology fee of $360 and distance education fee$360. Pocket Change ???!!!!!!!

Ok, ISU is awesome if you can do the independent learning thing. I and a couple others are in that program now. The four modules for their testouts are really good and make it sooo much easier so I'm all for that. The rest of them...you can probably do most if not all without modules. The tuition, etc for phase III don't worry about. ISU is an accredited college with on-campus students and all that so you can get grants, student loans, etc for that part...any financial aid you would get if you physically went to school.

So here is what I would probably lean toward doing...use books recommended by CLEP, Excelsior and Dantes for their tests (I can tell you who gives each test for the most part). While you are working on those, save money for the ISU modules and/or keep an eye out for them on ebay. You do want those but that way you won't have to finance them and you may be able to get them on ebay (although I hear they are hard to come by) and also in the meantime keep an eye on TCN for specials. I was able to get all 4 modules for $1000 so that was less than half price.

Forget about the $500 NCLEX prep thing altogether. ISU requires that you do ATI as part of the program. Do a search for that on allnurses...lots of students do ATI...most hate it but it is an NCLEX prep program so you don't need the other thing at all.

mariyahsmommy · Apr 10, 2008

Ok, ISU is awesome if you can do the independent learning thing. I and a couple others are in that program now. The four modules for their testouts are really good and make it sooo much easier so I'm all for that. The rest of them...you can probably do most if not all without modules. The tuition, etc for phase III don't worry about. ISU is an accredited college with on-campus students and all that so you can get grants, student loans, etc for that part...any financial aid you would get if you physically went to school.
So here is what I would probably lean toward doing...use books recommended by CLEP, Excelsior and Dantes for their tests (I can tell you who gives each test for the most part). While you are working on those, save money for the ISU modules and/or keep an eye out for them on ebay. You do want those but that way you won't have to finance them and you may be able to get them on ebay (although I hear they are hard to come by) and also in the meantime keep an eye on TCN for specials. I was able to get all 4 modules for $1000 so that was less than half price.
Forget about the $500 NCLEX prep thing altogether. ISU requires that you do ATI as part of the program. Do a search for that on allnurses...lots of students do ATI...most hate it but it is an NCLEX prep program so you don't need the other thing at all.

What is ATI?

mariyahsmommy · Apr 10, 2008

What is ATI?

OK, so are you saying that this is a good program and that you would recommend it? :nurse:

chaxanmom · Apr 10, 2008

OK, so are you saying that this is a good program and that you would recommend it?

ISU yes. ATI is just part of ISU's program. It's an NCLEX prep thingy that you do while you are in school. It's a pain but I'm sure it will come in handy at NCLEX time. My point in mentioning it was just that I don't think you need the $500 NCLEX thing that TCN sells in addition to the ATI that you don't have a choice but to use in ISU.

mariyahsmommy · Apr 10, 2008

:nurse:

ISU yes. ATI is just part of ISU's program. It's an NCLEX prep thingy that you do while you are in school. It's a pain but I'm sure it will come in handy at NCLEX time. My point in mentioning it was just that I don't think you need the $500 NCLEX thing that TCN sells in addition to the ATI that you don't have a choice but to use in ISU.

I really appreciate you taking time to answer my questions. I guess I will have to really think it over to decide what to do next. I have been reading a lot of info AGAINST College Network. It seems to me that you have to go through them before you can even get to ISU. I could be wrong. No harm in letting the Rep come over next week I guess.