What if I don't do well and fail. Nursing program Dilemma. HELPPPPPP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

dee78 · Dec 25, 2009

I was planning on doing an online associate degree RN program but they couldn't seem to get it together. It was a new program through the local community colleges. I was scared but knew it was what I had to do to go to school. But my circumstances changed and I will be starting LPN classes on campus next semester.

I understand the prereqs expiring, I had to retake 3 classes because they expired. Wasted money but for the best. Why not start out by taking one prereq online and see how you do with it? I took A&P1 and Micro online, but it scared me because it was not easy at all. It showed me that I would need to buckle down and be "in class" mode more when I'm in nursing school online. I was still willing to try.

ybq2008 · Dec 25, 2009

Hello all, so here's my delimma. I really want to do my lpn-bsn through Indiana State online program, but I'm scared cause I've never done any program online before espeacially a nursing program which we all know is tough enough. I see on here how people are doing the Excelsior online nursing program and making it. I mean, how are you guys doing it? I'm just scared of failure. I know the program is costly enough and I would have to take out school loans for it; but what if I don't do well and fail. I've been persuing this nursing thing for so long and so much time has been wasted behind it to the point my prereq's have expired. I know I learn really well as an independent studier, but at times no matter how much book you read and no matter how many hours you spend with you head buried in the books you may not understand the subject area and that's my greatest fear. Fear that I don't have that instructor by my side to guide me incase I don't understand something. I know some schools now a day won't hesitate to take up your money in a heart beat. Did I mention I already have two school loans that I'm currently paying for....so, I can't afford to fail and unable to repay those loans. I even thought of going into healthcare management(eventhough I really don't want to) just to hold a first bachelors degree so I can feel like I'm somebody. And also, untill I can get accepted to a traditional BSN nursing program. Any and all input is welcome.

I just wanted to support you and remind you that you are somebody, BSN or not. We're a health care team and you are apart of that. I'm sure that you do excellent work as a nurse, and no degree or title will define your work. :loveya:

I've taken some online courses, but I've never completed an online degree program. I can say that with my past experiences in online coursework, I advise you to really set aside time for your school work and stay on top of things, as they can snowball out of control quickly. Good luck in whatever you decide to do!

EmmyBee · Dec 25, 2009

Have you tried doing a search on here for "Indiana State online" and "Excelsior"? You might be able to gain a bit more accurate information, if you ask the people who are actually taking these courses. There are a TON of posts on both.

I don't know anything about Indiana State. But my experience with Excelsior has been negative, because I am the type of person who needs to be held accountable. If it's left to me to read material, comprehend it, and go to a testing center to pay several hundred dollars for an exam (with neverending fear that I might fail and have to repeat), ON MY OWN TIME, it won't get done. LOL I wasted two whole years paying annual tuition to their college, and never took a single exam. However, some people do have the motivation and discipline to do it, so it has worked well for them.

By the way, last I checked (unless things have changed in the past year), Excelsior was a distance learning program, not an online program. So it is 100% up to you, when/how you study and take your exams. Also, I have read a few posts on this site, that say the board of nursing in various states, is no longer recognizing Excelsior's clinical hours. I've even read about people contemplating sitting for the NCLEX in another state (than where they live and one where Excelsior is still acceptable), then eventually transferring that license to where they reside.

Also, people have said that while you can get through all your exams fairly quickly, there is a long waiting period for your clinical weekend. I don't know the details in depth, but you'd definitely want to research further, before you decide whether or not it's something you want to move forward with. Good luck to you!

itsmejuli · Dec 25, 2009

Its a matter of knowing yourself and your own capabilities. So don't be kicking yourself in the butt.

I do just fine with online classes that have weekly deadlines for assignments.

I know I could never do a distance program like Excelsior because I don't have the discipline to do a program that doesn't have specific deadlines.

LPN_2005/RN_10 · Dec 25, 2009

Hello, I graduated from Excelsior College and just to clarify-- it's not an online school. It's a actual university with several Distance Learning programs including nursing. For Excelsior you'll be buying books and other studying materials to study at home and take your exams at a Pearson Vue testing center-same place you test for the NCLEX. No exams are online!

Ok for Indiana State University-you should find out first if you can take one or two courses before you enroll in that school to find out if Distance Learning is for you. Some people really do need the structure of the classroom and the instructor physically in reach. I was scared also before I started, thinking I wasn't going to be successful at studying on my own. But after taking a couple of exams before I enrolled, I found out that I am capable of completing a distance learning program and I loved it!

In the student section on the home page, there's a Distance Learning forum where you will find alot of info on Indiana State U. You can even post your question there to get more responses from students who have completed or are currently completing the program. Good luck!

DogWmn · Dec 25, 2009

I think it depends on what your comfortable with. I for one love the online approach vs the brick and mortar. I've recently re-instated my OH license and did it all online, I liked it because I could breeze thru the stuff I knew and take time on the stuff I didn't and have the extra time to search the net for articles etc. and really study a topic in detail. In a traditional school I would have been bored to death and felt I was wasting my time traveling to class and sitting and listening.

It sounds like you would be much happier in a traditional school and there is nothing wrong with that.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Dec 25, 2009

Threads merged.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Dec 25, 2009

If you don't start and just keep putting it off, you'll never give yourself a chance to succeed in the first place. I love that saying: "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." Excelsior isn't a good fit for you, given that you're in Maryland (you are, right?), which doesn't recognize EC grads who finished after 12/31/2007. That leaves ISU, which is more structured. Why not give the school a call and discuss your concerns with an advisor? I believe ISU's program is a bit more structured, and less up to you as far as the pace.

josinda421 · Dec 26, 2009

I just wanted to support you and remind you that you are somebody, BSN or not. We're a health care team and you are apart of that. I'm sure that you do excellent work as a nurse, and no degree or title will define your work. :loveya:
I've taken some online courses, but I've never completed an online degree program. I can say that with my past experiences in online coursework, I advise you to really set aside time for your school work and stay on top of things, as they can snowball out of control quickly. Good luck in whatever you decide to do!

Thanks so much for your support, it's so thoughtful of you. And I will definitely take your advice and stay on top of things either way I go.

josinda421 · Dec 26, 2009

I was planning on doing an online associate degree RN program but they couldn't seem to get it together. It was a new program through the local community colleges. I was scared but knew it was what I had to do to go to school. But my circumstances changed and I will be starting LPN classes on campus next semester.
I understand the prereqs expiring, I had to retake 3 classes because they expired. Wasted money but for the best. Why not start out by taking one prereq online and see how you do with it? I took A&P1 and Micro online, but it scared me because it was not easy at all. It showed me that I would need to buckle down and be "in class" mode more when I'm in nursing school online. I was still willing to try.

Thanks so much for the reply. I think I might consider trying taking one class online and see how that goes instead of taking 3 or 4 classess at a time and digging a hole for myself.lol

josinda421 · Dec 26, 2009

Have you tried doing a search on here for "Indiana State online" and "Excelsior"? You might be able to gain a bit more accurate information, if you ask the people who are actually taking these courses. There are a TON of posts on both.
I don't know anything about Indiana State. But my experience with Excelsior has been negative, because I am the type of person who needs to be held accountable. If it's left to me to read material, comprehend it, and go to a testing center to pay several hundred dollars for an exam (with neverending fear that I might fail and have to repeat), ON MY OWN TIME, it won't get done. LOL I wasted two whole years paying annual tuition to their college, and never took a single exam. However, some people do have the motivation and discipline to do it, so it has worked well for them.
By the way, last I checked (unless things have changed in the past year), Excelsior was a distance learning program, not an online program. So it is 100% up to you, when/how you study and take your exams. Also, I have read a few posts on this site, that say the board of nursing in various states, is no longer recognizing Excelsior's clinical hours. I've even read about people contemplating sitting for the NCLEX in another state (than where they live and one where Excelsior is still acceptable), then eventually transferring that license to where they reside.
Also, people have said that while you can get through all your exams fairly quickly, there is a long waiting period for your clinical weekend. I don't know the details in depth, but you'd definitely want to research further, before you decide whether or not it's something you want to move forward with. Good luck to you!

Thanks so much for the reply hon.