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I am currently considering going forward with my education, to either a BSN or an ADN licence. As a non-traditional (older) student, I am interested in doing this the most economical way possible, both in actual costs and in time.
My former college offers a LPN to ADN program, but there is about 3 semesters of prerequisites needed. I would need to take Microbiology, and I would also need to take Anatomy and Physiology I and II, all 3 of which are lab courses. I had A&P as an LPN, but since we already had almost 18-20 credits every semester, some of mu courses were shortened ones specifically designed for LPN's, and as such they don't count towards an RN degree.
I also would need to take Human Growth and Development as well as Nutrition....both classes I had but that don;t count as full courses. I am sure I can CLEP out of HG&D, and possibly out of Nutrition after prepping for it.
But the 3 lab courses are separate courses, and can't be taken concurrently. Well, you CAN take MB and A&PI at the same time, but it is STRONGLY discouraged. The fail rate climbs 30% when they are taking together as they are both 5-6 credit courses.
I was wondering if anyone has any info on any type of distance learning courses, particularly in nursing. Excelsior College keeps coming up in my research online, but it is a mixed bag, They do a lot of test-outs, and their clinical test is a complete pass/fail situation. The pass rate for it is only at 65% the first time though, and you can only take it 3 times before being barred from the program. If you ARE barred (fail 3 times), none of your work can help you anywhere else, or at least it is very hard to transfer the little bit that IS transferable.
Yet a LOT of people sign up for it. It is also fairly pricey, about 7-8 thousand dollars, not including the trip to the testing center for the 3 day clinical test.
Has anyone ever dealt with these types of programs?
Posts: 15082 | Registered: Jul 2001
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The institution I work for offers online classes for Nutrition and Human Growth and Development. All our online courses are managed via Blackboard, which you may be familiar with. We're a community college, so the prices are most likely affordable, and the classes can be completed on your own time. There is a minimum 1 month limit for those classes, though (they can't be completed faster than 1 month).
I'm not sure if there are any specific requirements for your RN degree, as far as those courses go. I know that sometimes institutions can be picky about accepting transfer credits from just anywhere. My college does offer an ADN program on-campus, though. I'm not sure if that makes any difference.
We don't offer microbiology or anatomy and physiology online. In fact, I'm just a lowly IT guy here, so you can contact our online advisor if you have specific questions. Reply back if you want her contact information.
Rivka, I agree with you. Hope that was clear from my OP, I am highly suspicious of them. I think they probably mean well, but particularly for nursing I wonder what the ACTUAL pass rate is. I have heard it may be as low as 40$, but at least part of that is because of their non-traditional students. A lot of them don't complete their coursework because it is self-paced.
I don't like having to test out to get a degree either. I know from experience that I do well testing, but hands-on testing is really tough. I know that all nursing programs have hands on testing, and that it is pass or fail, but there is a big difference between going to a testing center and testing out with people you have never met and testing out with an instructor you know and have studied with for a semester. If you know the teacher, and she/he is the one who taught you, you know exactly what they are looking for, which is half the battle.
Posts: 15082 | Registered: Jul 2001
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Most of the issue I have comes from financing issues, and quirky student loan issues. Not repayment.....no problem there, I got a deferrment and am about to start making my payments, so I am on track there.
I was a psychology major years ago. From 1990 to 1992, actually. Imagine my surprise when my college awarded me a ton of credit for those classes, despite their age. Any math or science class was no good because they were more than 7 years old, but all of my common core transferred.....something like 52 credits.
Sounds like a good thing, right? It wasn't.
First of all, I wasn't a goos student the last 2 semester. I was sick a lot, and ignorant. I tried to get around the system because I was working 3 jobs, and I had some teachers specifically change their class requirements to fail me. No joke....they had no attendance policies, so I only showed up for tests in 3 classes, and had 2 A's and 1 B+ on my tests, but they instituted attendance policies and daily quizzes on the 3rd week, so I failed. Didn't even know until I showed up for the finals, either, so I couldn't withdraw.
So even though I made the NFLPN honors society with a really good GPA while in LPN school, my overall GPA sucks. I was denied financial aid, and had to appeal that decision, which was a pain in the butt.
But now, because I am "over credits", I can't even get a student loan. I have to be accepted into a specific program before I can appeal that, and in order to get into the nursing program I have to have 3 semesters of prerequisites, which I cannot afford.
quote:Originally posted by Kwea: I think they probably mean well
Depending which part of "they" you mean, I think I disagree with that.
Kwea, I don't generally suggest private student loans (Stafford being so much better an option for most students), but it might be a solution for you.
Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003
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Kwea, have you looked at different schools in your area, particularly community colleges or nursing specific schools? I don't know where you are, but I know that in San Antonio, so RN only programs exist that will work with you more than most places.
Do you actually have your psychology degree, or did you stop short of getting it? If you stopped short of getting it, you should reapply for a major in the psych program, and that can probably get you passed the "undeclared" problem for financial aid. Once you're officially declared, you can always change your major.
If you can't do that, seriously look into taking the three courses in person at the cheapest community college in your area. I know if you take it at the cheapest one around here you could probably do all three for less than $2000.
Posts: 1321 | Registered: Jun 2006
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it's actually at least 6 courses, as my math and science credit doesn't transfer. And my grades prevent me from declaring another major, even though I had something like a 3.4 gpa this past time around for nursing.
I don't think I qualify for private loans, although I didn't check. My credit is decent enough that we are looking for houses, but I am still waiting for the mortgage approval at this point.
Where would I check out some private student loans? Do you have any suggestions as far as reputable companies?
I found a college, Taylor College, in a local town near by. They offer a RN Bridge program, and THEIR program INCLUDES the prerequisites. I am going to check that out, but I know it is more expensive than the local community college I went for for my LPN.
Also, the community college bridge program starts ones a year, and is full time only, and it only starts each May. So if you don't make it in, you have to wait another full year before you reapply.
Posts: 15082 | Registered: Jul 2001
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quote:Originally posted by Kwea: I don't think I qualify for private loans, although I didn't check.
Student loans are slightly easier to qualify for than many other private loans. Poor credit will get your worse interest rates and fees, though (I hear) not to the degree of most no-security loans.
Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003
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Where are you? You'll usually get the best deal on private loans if you go through a state-specific agency (provided they actually DO private loans). Right now student loan companies are getting hit REALLY hard by the government's recent cancellation of FELP. Most of them are scrambling to find state programs to issue under or to do servicing for the federal program, but I imagine they're also trying to REALLY market their private loans.
If you can't go through a state agency, I recommend using a big national loan provider, like Sallie Mae. Most banks will also do them, but many of them don't service they're own loans, so you end up having to work with a bank AND a servicer, which can complicate things. Also, you have a higher chance of getting your loans sold if you go through a bank than if you go through an entity that specializes in student loans.
The major downside of private loans is that they're usually really expensive (in comparison) and they don't come with any of the perks of government backed student loans that can protect you in times of economic hardship.
Posts: 1321 | Registered: Jun 2006
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