The online programs are excellent programs but they are not for everyone. They require a tremendous amount of self discipline. If you do better with group study, this is not for you. I never liked study groups. You have to read and read and read some more with the online courses. I think I put more time into the online classes than I did when I was full-time in the traditional setting. Still, it worked out great for me. I could “go to class” when it fit my schedule.

Hi Jen,
You are correct; you have to have a current nursing licenses before you can be accepted into an online nursing course. I just completed 2 years of course work online for Healthcare Adm. I found it challenging with just enough structure to keep me focused. I enjoyed every minute, well almost did not care for the algebra classes. I am now looking for online LPN to RN 2 year course with financial assistant. Most LPN course work although advertised as online is not. I have been a nurse for 26 years and want my RN now so that I can get paid and rewarded for the work that I do. Any suggestions, I am unable to do traditional class study due to a livin grandchild and the need to work.

To Jen and Tammy,
I applaud your efforts at continuing your education. I myself was an LPN for 15 years, and just graduated from a RN,BSN program less than a year ago. I think it was the best decision of my career. As far as online courses go, I have only taken pre-reqs online. They require self-discipline, but you can do the class on your own time (between everything going on with the kids and family!). Anyway, try fastweb.com for scholarship info. and some school info. Also, try the websites of your local colleges and universities, many of them have programs that are online, but you do need to do your clinicals at a hospital or location of their choice. Another suggestion is trying the COllege CLEP program. You can get a study guide and just test out of some of your general education classes, which which shorten the road to your reward. I hope this is helpful. GOOD luck!

I have a question for those of you who have participated in OL courses of study too. What are the costs in comparison to the traditional classroom setting? I am a mother of 5 who has been an LPN for nearly 15 years. I went to a seminar for an OL nursing program, but it was too costly for my family at the time. I am now working PT and trying to spend a little more time at home with my two youngest. Although things are constantly changing here, I would like to re-explore the idea of advancing my degree. I'm afraid that our current income may keep me out of the running for any financial assistance (does that work the same as traditional colleges also?), but if I wait much longer, I'll be joining my step-daughter in class! = )

Thank you all for the information. I was leaning towards the traditional nursing school. Thank God my study habits got better with age, but I still think the old way is the better way for me. I am glad I found this website. I won't be going back to school full time until my husband is finished with his deployments. I am glad I have a place to ask questions, and get answers.

Does anyone know the prereq. (degrees, if any) for taking an on-line course to become a CNA?

I am enrolled in an online nursing program through RUE . I like it. At the time I signed up, the financing was interest-free, and my payments are $125 a month. Of course, the costs for the tests are separate, but compared to what it would cost to enroll in a traditional college and nursing school, this actually comes out to be about the same for me.

And, as plus, I can study around my work and family schedules. The only difficulty is staying "psyched" to study every day.I am very behind due to a rough summer, but I intend to catch up, and learn from my mistakes.

You have to be very dedicated and make this a priority, just as you would if you were going to class each day.It takes a little discipline, but if you get into a routine, it won't be much of a problem to sit down and study.

I think it is great that more and more nurses are doing this. I don't feel so isolated anymore.

If anyone is interested in RUE, here is the website; www. rueed.com .

Christy

I have a BA, mostly Nursing/Psych classes, and I thinking about getting a Nursing Degree, but I can't seem to find out what I need to do to go from a BA to a BSN. I would like to do most of it online, but so far, I haven't found much and I don't live near the major schools that have Nursing Programs. Can someone PLEASE direct me....

I went through Excelsior College by way of The College Network. It was very costly and the clinicals were MURDER. It was a "pass or fail", not a "Let me show you how to do this" type of setting. I got through it and passed my NCLEX the first time. I am now strongly considering a RN to MSN program through Excelsior. ANYONE who is considering this type of option needs to call their state board of nursing and make sure that they will accept whatever on-line degree program to take the NCLEX. Some of the B.O.N will not accept them. BE CAREFUL!!

The clinicals are conducted at certain chosen sites around the counrty. for Excelsior there was 2 southeastern sites (Georgia), 3 in New York area, 2 in the mid-west, and 2 in the west. You go to that hospital that you have applied to go to and it is a 3 day clinical. In my experience, the 1st day was "lab" skills, i.e IV push, IV drip rates, sterile drgs change, and IM/SQ injections. The 2nd and 3rd day was patient care, 2 adult patients and 1 peds patient. Unfortunately, when I went the peds census was low and I got an extra adult pateint that had every tube known to man in him!! It was very challenging. They give you a 5 in binder when you apply for clinicals and you can be asked to preform any task in that binder. Each task must be preformed as instructed in the binder, no changes. They don't care if your employer allows certain things and they don't care how you would normally accomplish the task. You are given at least 6 items/task to preform on each of your randomly chosen patients and you have a time limit. Within your time limit you must write a plan of care, preform all tasks and write an evaluation all while being observed by an examiner. It was great!

cmckeag- where did you do you clinicals. I am confused a little about your posting. Are you happy about the program you seem a little hostile?

shan4691
No, I am not hostile, just defensive. :) What I don't want people to do is think this is an easy way to get a nursing degree. It requires independent study, and alot of discipline to complete this type of program successfully. Alot of the posts I see on the Excelsior site discussion board have complaints about the cost of taking workshops and extra online courses, and of course, the final face-to-face practical exam. Actual cost, unless you buy into Rue or College Network study guides is so much cheaper, not only in dollars, but the time spent sitting in a brick and mortar school. Was I happy with the program? Yes, I was. I have spent the years doing patient care, and assessments. I passed everything first time around, but I didn't rush through it. I took it at my own pace, working around 2 jobs and elderly parents with health issues. I'm just starting to look for a job that will accomodate my full-time work schedule until I retire from it.

Clinicals July 27-29th in Racine. It was okay for me, none of my patients too difficult, and everything straightforward. Graduated Sept 21st, and NCLEX passed on Nov 5th with 75 questions. One of the men I work with on the fire dept did classes about the same time as I did, and had the same type of experience. It is doable if people are patient, perservere, and don't let themselves become discouraged. It definitely helped me to have a "buddy" to keep me on pace. Some of the people on the Excelsior discussion boards sound very negative with their experience. Preparation is so important for any of the exams.
I'm looking for a job now, and have a 2nd interview next week for a position on a long-term respiratory care unit. With my background in Respiratory, it should be a good fit if the manager is willing to work around my full-time schedule.
I know you've been a nurse awhile, when did you go through Excelsior?

It's a comfort level. My peds experience was 5 years in an NICU, going to deliveries for resuscitations, therapy in the unit, and ventilator management. The last 20 years have been on a busy med unit, so I'm definitely comfortable with assessing pts of all ages. I thought about the RN-MS Program, but at 51, I'm not sure the time investment is worth it.

You are much younger, and it is a worthwhile investment in your future--especially if you can get employed by a vo-tech school in a state pension system. Maybe you could be an Examiner for Excelsior! I can retire from the fire dept anytime after Sept 22nd next year. I would have a pension of about 39K/yr. I'd be able to work full-time for a few years, not touch my deferred comp, and save my pension money. I figure I will go part-time when I get closer to 60, and play the full retirement gig by ear. Hopefully, I will be fully retired by 62, and have plenty invested to live on.