TCN- Please share good reviews

[blessednurse2be]

Hi All,

I know there are countless threads regarding The college network. I have been researching and reading for months now and I am still confused. Either the threads are really old or I can't find the answers I'm looking for. All I hear is bad things about TCN regarding the cost. But what about the actual program? Was it beneficial? Are the tests hard? I would hate to purchase the material and it has nothing to do with the test questions. My fear is paying all that money and not passing a test or being scammed. As long as TCN is going to help me pass the test, I don't mind paying. Also, am I able to buy the books from ebay etc. And just pay for the modules thru TCN? I have three kids and I am very busy. Going thru a divorce, and trying to make a living for me and my kids. Honestly, I am looking to get my pre req's out the way really fast with not a lot of stress. So I am very interested in TCN and almost about to sign up but I need more info and good reviews from people that have had success with them. I am hoping to attend ISU LPN-BSN program. I have called and emailed ISU with no response . Also, does TCN really help and prep you for the clep? Please let me know? I am so stressed trying to find all these answers. Please share your good reviews about TCN. Thank you in advance, God Bless

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

They are a publisher not a school

The TCN books on eBay ARE the TCN modules (photocopied pages of their "customized" study guides in a binder)

They do not offer tests and cannot grant credit.

All costs are in addition to the fees, tuition and other charges from the school (whether Excelsior or ISU). So you add an additional $10,000-$15,000 to the cost of the degree if you applied directly to the school.

They are not a school therefore no financial aid only high interest private loans.

They are currently under investigation by the FTC for deceptive business practices.

NY Attorney General has also filed suit against them.

They are not affiliated with the schools therefore cannot guarantee accuracy of their "study guides"

You are locked into the contract and must pay in full plus interest regardless if you pass, fail, graduate or even take a class.

CLEP offers free study outlines for each exam and you can get CLEP endorsed study guides from REA (publisher) at the book store (Amazon, B&N, etc) for $10-20. The tests are

[FlyingScot, RN]

There aren't any to share. Sorry to disappoint. TCN is currently being sued by the ATTORNEY GENERAL of the State of New York. That should tell you something.

[caliotter3]

I bought TCN study guides off ebay (for $15 and $20 each) and found them not useful for the EC program. Instead, I found studygroup101 study guides to be worth the cost, as well as the DVD that a guy named Rob offered online at the time.

[blessednurse2be]

Oh bummer! I was looking for a easy way out. Lol .I knew it was too good to be true. Thank you all, I appreciate it

[blessednurse2be]

I bought TCN study guides off ebay (for $15 and $20 each) and found them not useful for the EC program. Instead, I found studygroup101 study guides to be worth the cost, as well as the DVD that a guy named Rob offered online at the time.

Thank you , I am looking into now as we speak

[SoonSurgery-RN-BSN, BSN, RN]

I see that you are looking at ISU. Here is the route I took for ISU and my journey to my BSN. Hopefully this can be helpful for your journey. I took all of my pre-reqs (A & P, micro, chemistry, patho, etc.) at a local junior college then applied to ISU. I decided not to sign up with TCN after reading the reviews, so I purchased the TCN modules through ebay (paid approximately $25 each) and took the tests (CMs) at ISU for the LPN-BSN program. You can research other learning materials to help prepare yourself for the CMs as well. I believe at that time there were four courses to test out, it may have changed now. I finished the program in a little under three years. I now have my BSN and working as an RN. Good luck!