Hello everyone,
After 12 years as a LPN in outpatient setting and the last 2 years struggling through a traditional college setting for my ADN,I am about to try the online LPN to RN program . Is there an anyone out there that has 'been there done that' that can offer some advice. I thought I would be able to take local clinicals but the 2 main online programs do not offer anything in this area. I am looking for a little advice and would welcome some input from anyone in my shoes!! Please help! and thanks

Scats08,

Have you considered Excelsior ( https://www.excelsior.edu/ )? Established in 1971, their well-regarded nursing program is rigorous, but can be the right fit for the self-starter who has a solid background in medicine. Their 2.5 day clinical examination for the AASN (proctored by masters-prepared RNs) can be taken in many different hospitals throughout the USA. The RN-to-BSN and MSN programs have additional clinical and practicum requirements. I earned a nursing degree from them a long time ago as an EMT when the college was associated with the University of New York, Albany, New York. I'd be happy to help you in any way I can.

May I ask why you are "struggling through a traditional college setting"?

Joy

I have a 3 year old and 16 1/2 yrs old that occupy a lot of my time. But also because the school I attended is a fast forward program, meaning they cram 12 weeks of material into 7 weeks and I don't respond well to the pressure. It wass such an intense program that my nervous got jangled and started having severe test anxiety. I made it to the next to the last class and missed the 100 question final by 1.4 points. My anxiety and the 'failing' were just too much for me. So now I'm looking for an alternative path to my RN.

Scats08,

Thanks for the extra information! It sounds like an external degree program would serve you well.

Please do consider looking into Excelsior. Give them a call after you visit their website. You may find that many if not all of your college credits will transfer, resulting in you needing to take only a few course tests and the clinical proficiency examination.

Because I, too, was a very busy woman and was also fearful of failure, I used the study guides prepared by Moore Educational Publishers ( http://www.mepinc.com/ and http://www.mepinc.com/fpage.asp?fpid=51 ) . With their help I passed Excelsior's tests with very high scores, indeed.

Please keep us posted on your progress!!

Oh, and by the way: WELCOME to Nursing Voices. I hope to see you here often.

Joy