TESC Overhauling Gen Ed Reqs. Not enrolled, watch out!

[Getiton1]

The Nursing School at TESC is set up a little differently then the other programs at TESC, so I have been told and have come to learn. I went to the Open House at the college in NJ and spoke with one of the reps doing the RN-BSN/MSN program there.

Basically there are 2 programs you can do if you are looking to get a BSN. They are:

1. Transfer in as a person who already graduated from a 4 year school. The nursing part of the schooling would take 1 year and MUST be on campus. Makes sense really, because they have to make sure you are clinically ready. If you graduated with a 4 year degree in accounting, how could they vouch for how well you know how to give injections/draw blood/handle crisis? After you are done with TESC, you would have to sit for boards (NCLEX-RN) to become a practicing RN.

2. The RN-BSN/MSN. This is the option if you are ALREADY an RN (you already passed your NCLEX-RN). They will take between 60-80 credits from your 2 year college or your Degree program/CLEP, etc. exams. You will probably have to "test out" by taking more CLEP's DSST's, ALEK'S or Straighterline classed... or take TESC courses (usually more expensive) to make up the 120 credits you need to graduate from the BSN portion. One really nice thing about their BSN/MSN program is that 3 of the nursing courses you have to take are graduate level, so if you are sure or are even thinking about an MSN, this is the college for you. They ARE changing the requirements in July 2013. Which leads me to what we were told in that meeting...

Once you have applied to the TESC Nursing program and have been accepted you are considered "enrolled" and would not have to take the extra courses that are coming in July 2013. Basically they are splitting the one course at the end of the nursing courses into 2 classes. It's a 7 credit class and it's hard (this is what I have been told by several people). So they are breaking it up into 2 classes. All the rest of the changes will be across the board for all TESC students because the College is changing. Most of it will mean more liberal arts classes. I am not sure about a Capstone, as I didn't hear that word mentioned and I didn't want to even mention it. Word is that TESC is going to be applying or somehow qualifying for...and I loved this part...University Status! I would love to graduate from Thomas Edison State University!

Pluses for this College are 1. Cost (*) it's not that expensive, especially if you are in state 2. Very liberal transfer policy 3. Helpful mentors (so far for most people I know) 4. For the RN-BSN/MSN you can do everything online.

Negatives 1. Cost * The nursing credits are costly, check out the catalog (more expensive that regular classes) 2. Speed...the courses for nursing run only in January, April, July and October...you can't rush (this could be a plus if you like learning the subject). 3. You can only take the last two courses of the BSN/MSN by themselves - so if you have financial aid, it will not apply, because they won't let you take the required 6 credits to qualify. I talked to someone in Financial Aid who said it's good to hold onto left over money if you are awarded early in the program, because one of those classes is a graduate level class (i.e. harder and more $$$). So it's going to be at least 1 year to finish for the RN to BSN/MSN program. If you go on for your MSN it would be longer.

Overall, I am pretty impressed with TESC. I applied to several colleges and though TESC takes a long long time to review transfered credits, the advice I was given was right. It's worth the wait. I have way less classes to take than at other colleges.

Good luck to anyone pursuing this program! It would be great to hear from other BSN's/MSN's that graduated from TESC. I feel a bit like a lamb in the woods since most people posting are going for BA's and BS's (but Math degrees).

I will try to share what I learn along the way for other students planning this path. Many thanks to CooperAlex and many others who have helped me come up with a plan of attack for my courses leading up to the nursing course work. I have passed so many tests because of the help from these people and Instant Cert. Thanks and Happy Testing Everyone!

TESC has on campus nursing, but what they meant was that these other people were focused on taking online courses from the school and paying the tuition for each course.