What's the best option

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I am a LPN with 1yr experience in a subacute rehab facility. I also have a Bachelor's degree. I want to go back to complete my RN but I am not sure which is the best fit for me. Any input is appreciated.

Do I go with EC and get my ADN in a shorter period of time then go one to do my BSN and/or MSN-bridge? If yes, is it better to go directly through EC or TCN?

Or do I take longer and do ISU LPN-BSN program? I do like that there is clinical time with this program, but not liking that it will be longer before I can enter the hospital system where I live since they do not hire LPN's. From what I understand I should be able to complete this program in 2-2 1/2 yrs since I have a BA already.

So whats better, get the RN quick and get in there working and then go back? Or take longer and get the higher degree with the extra clinical experience??

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Specializes in Psych, LTC, Acute Care.

It really depends on you. EC is a more practical option but its not for everyone. You have to be motivated to study on your own.If you decide this route, go directly through EC.

ISU is a good option for some but you have to coodinate your clinicals. Some site are already established but it depends on where you live. I also have a BS degree and opted out of going this route because it would have take 3 yrs for me to complete and there were only 2 established clinical sites in NC at the time.

BSN would be a good route if you can get in one and if the tuition doesn't put you in the poor house. It was not practical for me becasue I needed to work fulltime to support my household.

I ultimately chose EC and completed the program in 12 months fresh out of LPN school. It was the best option for me. It was not an easy program and it consumed my life an entire year. The CPNE is a bear but with much effort you can pass it. So I recommend that you sit down and write out the pros and cons of all three programs and go with the one that meets your lifestyle. It would be hard for others to give you direction without considering your needs and abiliities.

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Thanks for that info. I live in NC as well, so its good to know that the clinical sites are few and far between in our state.

Why do you recommend going directly through EC rather than TCN if you don't mind me asking.

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Specializes in Med/Surg Nurse, Homecare, Visiting Nurse.

Go through EC, DO NOT GO THROUGH TCN. You can get their modules used on Ebay, I have one if you are interested.

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Specializes in Pediatrics/Adult Float Pool.

tcn is just a publishing company, you don't actually gain anything from them except the materials and a large fee. the modules they provide are useful, but not recommended by excelsior staff as the "only" text that you use. i don't personally use them, but i am cheap and watch for them on ebay, just haven't gotten my hands on any that have been worth a lot of money yet (i only paid $25 for my microbiology book). so, back to tcn, the clincher for me was that you sign a contract with them. you owe them a pretty hefty fee whether you finish with excelsior or not. so, if you get started and decide ec is not for you, you are stuck with several thousand dollars of modules that are essentially useless to you. i agree with earlier posts that suggested ebay...no contracts involved. good luck!

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

And this is from EC regarding third-party publishers, like TCN:

https://www.excelsior.edu/Excelsior_College/About/A_Word_of_Caution

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Thanks for that info about TCN. Amazing that their company is so big but aren't approved by EC! If you are being the TCN books on ebay how are you ensure that you have the most reccent information. Many of the ones I've seen are from early 2000's. I don't see this a problem with pre-req classes like sociology, but it seems nursing practice evolves fast enough to need the most up to date version.

And if you aren't using the TCN modules as your primary resource what are you using to prepare?

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
And if you aren't using the TCN modules as your primary resource what are you using to prepare?

Textbooks are always a sure bet. :)

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Specializes in Pediatrics/Adult Float Pool.

i downloaded the entire recommended/required booklist for the program off of the excelsior bookstore webpage and then just went to amazon.com with the isbn numbers. saved me a bunch of money off what it would've cost and i have every text i need to get through each class. i use the study guide as my syllabus and just start reading. i also downloaded studygroup 101 notes to help break it all down. i just finished 150 practice questions for health safety and avg about 76-78%...i feel pretty prepared.

going back to your original post, i have looked at isu also, and what i finally came to was this: in my facility, there is not much difference in pay for rn to bsn. so, i chose excelsior so i could get my big pay raise and then i will decide whether to continue with excelsior as an rn-msn student or complete just my bsn with a local university. i am leaning towards the msn though, as an educator, i can work keep my rn position in pediatrics and teach at the community college...two dreams fulfilled! until i get the educator part behind my credentials though, the money isn't much different for all those degrees. of course, i live in a rural area of central missouri, so if i was closer to kansas city or st. louis, my options would probably be a little bit different and the pay would probably reflect that too! good luck whichever school you choose, they both come with good recommendations!

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One thing to remember is that as an RN ANY bachelor's will elevate you in the eyes of management. I'd bang out the RN via Excelsior and then see.

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