I was wondering if anyone on here has had experience with Indiana State University's online LPN to BSN program.  I am interested in it, but I read awhile back on another forum that some states won't let you get an endorsement license if you have that degree.  However, the thread that I read was from 2006, and I couldn't find anything more recent about it.  I know that they set you up with a local preceptor for clinicals, so I don't understand what the problem would be...and besides, if you pass your NCLEX, why would it matter if you went through their program?  ISU is an accredited school.  Any input, anyone???

You guys NEED to call you state boeard of nursing and make sure that they will accept ISU. It does not matter if the school is accredited if you BON does not recognize it. Also, just because an on-line nursing program might be accredited, you DO NOT need to assume that your BON will recognize it! A couple of years ago, NC only recognized Excelsior College as an on-line nursing program. All others were not recognized. That would mean that the years that it took you to take the classes and pass your clinicals would have been a waste of time and effort!

I went through Excelsior, although it took me almost 2 years. I am sorry I can tell you about ISU, but Excelsior was very hard. I my case though, I could not stop a full-time job to go back to school, so Excelsior worked for me. If you are determined you should go for it! What is making you look at ISU instead of Excelsior? BTW, I learned the hard way, but you do not have to go through College Network or Rue or any other publishing house for your books and such. It's cheaper to go directly through the school you are attending. 

Excelsior has an LPN to BSN program as well.

• I completed my program in 12/2003 and I did not have any on-line work to turn in. I think that you actually have to take online classes now. Mine was completely self paced. I notified them when I wanted to start a class. I took the exams when I felt I was ready and whatever my grade was on the exam was my grade for the class.


• I can't remember the cost of anything excelpt for the CPNE. It was $1800 or about. I unfortunately went through The College Network and ended up paying more in the long run.


• As for the wait for the CPNE. I applied to take it when I was completing my last class, so I did not have to wait long after finishing it to go. I want to say the wait was about 6 to 8 weeks.


• Do you have any electives that will transfer to other colleges? I had completed my first 1 1/2 years at a university and had quite a few electives that transferred and I still had to take an extra humanities class. They might have different requirements now though.

The only thing so far anyone has looked at was if I was licensed. I have had a couple of inquiries and some amazment that I completed the courses because of the difficulty. I actually have been offered every job that I have applied for since I received my RN. With your friend, is it that she is applying for jobs that she does not have enough experience in or is it totally that she went to Excelsior? Why would Excelsior be a bad choice for a degree? You have the same classes, granted you are more "self taught" and you have a clinical that was harder than ANY clinical I had in my practical nursing rotations!