Has anyone had any experience with The College Network?
I signed up with The College Network to do my LPN-RN bridge program thru Excelsior. Only now I find out that GA BON isn't recognizing Excelsior anymore. (I signed up prior to this information becoming public knowledge) They also offer the LPN-BSN thru Indiana State. They even guarantee your acceptance there. I can change to this program if the Ga BON doesn't change their mind about Excelsior.
Does anyone know anything about this LPN-BSN program?
Are you sure? That's so silly? So do they let non-nurses go through BSN programs? Perhaps you are only referring to distance programs?
I did speak with the Nevada Board of Nursing the other day, and spoke with the persn who is the Authority on Distance Education. She stated that as long as the school is NLN approved that they will recognize, so I think I was given incorrect info. Also she stated that if I'm still around in the nursing field in about five years the is going to be a National License to practice in the United States and then it won't matter what states accept Excelsior and which ones do because all RN's will be grandfathered in. That's a good thing to hear,however I wonder how much they will charge to renew you license...500.00 I can see it now.
I did speak with the Nevada Board of Nursing the other day, and spoke with the persn who is the Authority on Distance Education. She stated that as long as the school is NLN approved that they will recognize, so I think I was given incorrect info. Also she stated that if I'm still around in the nursing field in about five years the is going to be a National License to practice in the United States and then it won't matter what states accept Excelsior and which ones do because all RN's will be grandfathered in. That's a good thing to hear,however I wonder how much they will charge to renew you license...500.00 I can see it now.
That's assuming the National License Board acknowledges EC. At any rate I think the national thing sounds wonderful! No more having to pay to transfer your license! I've been an LPN for 10 of the 14 years my husband has been in the Navy so I'm really into that idea!
That's assuming the National License Board acknowledges EC. At any rate I think the national thing sounds wonderful! No more having to pay to transfer your license! I've been an LPN for 10 of the 14 years my husband has been in the Navy so I'm really into that idea!
But she did say it would not matter because all current RNs would be "grand-fathered in", after the change whos to say. Politics always plays a part but I think as long as each state gets a cut of the yearly funds received for renewal fees that maybe they would be happy if it would bring them a higher profit. I don't think CA BON will like this idea since they see themselves as so much better then any other state. We can only hope. I've recently decided not to do the distance learning thing. Even though the board may accept you there seems to be too many old-school people that don't have a good taste for EC. You'll never know if your passed over for a position because you had EC training or not because the job interviewer may ask you where you went to school to weed out applicants and it could be a deciding factor. I don't know but I think I'm goint to just try and do a traditional college program.
But she did say it would not matter because all current RNs would be "grand-fathered in", after the change whos to say. Politics always plays a part but I think as long as each state gets a cut of the yearly funds received for renewal fees that maybe they would be happy if it would bring them a higher profit. I don't think CA BON will like this idea since they see themselves as so much better then any other state. We can only hope. I've recently decided not to do the distance learning thing. Even though the board may accept you there seems to be too many old-school people that don't have a good taste for EC. You'll never know if your passed over for a position because you had EC training or not because the job interviewer may ask you where you went to school to weed out applicants and it could be a deciding factor. I don't know but I think I'm goint to just try and do a traditional college program.
OIC so it would just affect students. Who knows. ISU has been a traditional brick and mortar school for a long time so that's all that matters to me. lol! I had the same thoughts regarding EC so I never considered it plus I think the preceptorship ISU has is way better than traditional group clinicals so I'm very very happy with my choice.
My personal opinion is that its not about politics or money but it is about the respect for the profession as a whole. Not a popular opinion around here but I'm ok with that. I also am one of those awful people who think BSN should be entry level for nurses. lol!
Specializes in Spinal Cord Injury Rehab, Med/Surg. SNF.
I was told by the TCN rep that you can at least include the testing fees onto the loan you take out through them. Of course there is the extra cost for the test but at least they can group it into one loan all together.
Yeah for my package all the study guides, testing fees, CLM courses and RN Nclex study was included. It was a good pkg - but all for the cost of about $6000.
Specializes in Spinal Cord Injury Rehab, Med/Surg. SNF.
OIC so it would just affect students. Who knows. ISU has been a traditional brick and mortar school for a long time so that's all that matters to me. lol! I had the same thoughts regarding EC so I never considered it plus I think the preceptorship ISU has is way better than traditional group clinicals so I'm very very happy with my choice.
My personal opinion is that its not about politics or money but it is about the respect for the profession as a whole. Not a popular opinion around here but I'm ok with that. I also am one of those awful people who think BSN should be entry level for nurses. lol!
Actually alot of hospitals are now going more for BSN nursings now. I know the VA is now encouraging all ADN RN to pursue BSN and will eventually not hire ADN RN anymore if they havent already implemented it. They do provide alot of education benefits to support it though. CA is just tough state anyway. They set the bar really high which is not a bad thing. I lived there and getting my LPN license took 6 months to transfer from another state. It is a blessing that ISU is accepted there cause I want to move back there soon.
Actually alot of hospitals are now going more for BSN nursings now. I know the VA is now encouraging all ADN RN to pursue BSN and will eventually not hire ADN RN anymore if they havent already implemented it. They do provide alot of education benefits to support it though. CA is just tough state anyway. They set the bar really high which is not a bad thing. I lived there and getting my LPN license took 6 months to transfer from another state. It is a blessing that ISU is accepted there cause I want to move back there soon.
I got my LPN in California. I just remember their BON's fees for everything were so high!
I know someone that is going through Indiana state online to get her BSN. She is liking it so far and she can do her clinicals here at the local facilities. It is accepted in all states from the way the advisor made it sound, because it is an acutual university. I talked to the people at college-network and they told me that if I have all the prereqs, then I could get started into it. If I needed some or all of the prereqs, I could take compass tests and test out of those classes. Basically a modular you study front and back, in and out, take a test, pass it and get the credit. But the modulars are not able to get finacial aid, you have to pay for yourself. But once ready to go to ISU's BSN online program, you can apply for financial aid. I've been debating it, if i do it it would take about 2-3 more years before I get my BSN.
I was interested in the LPN-BSN @ Indiana State through The College Network and live in Tennessee. I received a phone call on 10/8 and was told that Tennessee did not recognize this program. So it is not excepted in all states.
I was considering the College Network as an option for my Lvn-bsn bridge...While on their site, I noticed that they said that the clinical instructors were there to TEST OUT ONLY, not to teach.. So, heres my question..
If the provided instructors are there for TESTING OUT purposes only, how do the students acquire the Clinical instruction that is generally provided by the instructor? Im completely baffled..
I was considering the College Network as an option for my Lvn-bsn bridge...While on their site, I noticed that they said that the clinical instructors were there to TEST OUT ONLY, not to teach.. So, heres my question..
If the provided instructors are there for TESTING OUT purposes only, how do the students acquire the Clinical instruction that is generally provided by the instructor? Im completely baffled..
TCN's site says this? No idea what they mean. Our professors (ISU) teach us the classroom portion but our preceptors are there to learn from just like any internship type program. The only tests we have with them are evaluations at mid-term and end of semester. I just did my mid-term and it's stuff like how much you used evidence-based practice, if you practice safely, how independent you are, etc, etc. You fill out clinical logs for each shift and send them in to your professors in Indiana. You get the basics down in LPN school so precepting is learning how to function as an RN so not so much technical stuff that you'd need an in your face instructor for at this stage.
Were you perhaps looking at the LPN-ADN program through Excelsior instead?
TCN's site says this? No idea what they mean. Our professors (ISU) teach us the classroom portion but our preceptors are there to learn from just like any internship type program. The only tests we have with them are evaluations at mid-term and end of semester. I just did my mid-term and it's stuff like how much you used evidence-based practice, if you practice safely, how independent you are, etc, etc. You fill out clinical logs for each shift and send them in to your professors in Indiana. You get the basics down in LPN school so precepting is learning how to function as an RN so not so much technical stuff that you'd need an in your face instructor for at this stage.
Were you perhaps looking at the LPN-ADN program through Excelsior instead?
Im based in California so the LPN-ADN isnt an option...
Please correct me if I am wrong but I assumed that the LVN-BSN bridge program was setup so that the LVN was able to transition into becoming an efficient RN (with adequate training provided clinically), then once that milestone has been reached the bsn portion of the program would come into play..
How is an LPN supposed to gain the clinical skill that differentiates an LPN from an RN?
Im based in California so the LPN-ADN isnt an option...
Please correct me if I am wrong but I assumed that the LVN-BSN bridge program was setup so that the LVN was able to transition into becoming an efficient RN (with adequate training provided clinically), then once that milestone has been reached the bsn portion of the program would come into play..
How is an LPN supposed to gain the clinical skill that differentiates an LPN from an RN?
Well, a BSN *is* an RN so there isn't a difference in technical skills. There isn't a milestone point between RN and BSN. I know that probably sounds like mush so maybe tonight I can reword it differently. Kinda early right now. lol! I'm not sure which of the nursing classes ADNs have to take but when you are going LPN to BSN there isn't like "ok here is the ADN level" and "ok here is the BSN level".
In BSN programs (like many bachelor degrees) you take your pre-reqs then you take your nursing classes. The clinical skills you gain are obtained when you are working with your preceptor. Your preceptor has to be a BSN with a minimum of 3 years experience. At my current clinical site its the nurse educator for the floor. For my ICU rotation at Hopkins my preceptor is the nurse manager for the unit.
I'll try to get back on tonight to answer you better if need be. Gotta run. Ya know, its been a LONG time since the days of looking at the clock at 5:20 am and thinking "Oh no its getting sooo late". This feels so nutty. Haha!
At any rate I think the national thing sounds wonderful! No more having to pay to transfer your license! I've been an LPN for 10 of the 14 years my husband has been in the Navy so I'm really into that idea! 
lol!
I just remember their BON's fees for everything were so high!
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I did speak with the Nevada Board of Nursing the other day, and spoke with the persn who is the Authority on Distance Education. She stated that as long as the school is NLN approved that they will recognize, so I think I was given incorrect info. Also she stated that if I'm still around in the nursing field in about five years the is going to be a National License to practice in the United States and then it won't matter what states accept Excelsior and which ones do because all RN's will be grandfathered in. That's a good thing to hear,however I wonder how much they will charge to renew you license...500.00 I can see it now.