Got into Excelsior!

I was pretty nervous too, at first! I finally had them review my transcripts and all I need is A&P, Micro, and Info Lit. So, I went ahead and got in on their discounted plan which is now obsolete. BUT, I'm getting through the nursing part and while I wait for my CPNE date, I'll work on those other 3 classes. Then, hopefully, it will all finish together, probably by May or June, depending on how quickly I get through these Essentials! Fortunately, my job is paying for most of my tuition, but Excelsior also has payment plans which sound pretty flexible, and you never know...what about the VFW or American Legion? I got a scholarship from them once, just had to write an essay...good luck, whatever you decide, I know I'm extremely excited about Excelsior, cause my RN wasn't gonna happen at the CC!

Hi. Helpful & interesting to read all comments. I also am doing the Excelsior program. Accepted, not enrolled yet. I am waiting till after the 1st actual nursing course. The 2nd is waived 2* LPN.I have already took 16 months though to get where I am-3 courses away from actual nursing stuff. I started with no credits practically.But my Dad died with CA after extended hospitalizations, I had surgery for CA, many family issues since I started. Work full time c 2 grade school kids,school activities, church, etc.I study every week but not as much as I'd like. Also I'm not young anymore, & it's just hard!So far, it's been doable.f I get into financial trouble, I will use the payment plan they offer (advise to girl with kids worried about $) JUST PRESS ON!Maybe someday I'll/we'll get there.Everyone please keep writing as it is helpful to rest of us not there yet.Thanks!

Thanks for ALL the info!

I am so happy that i decided to research this and was redirected to allnurses...I had joined allnurses in 2007 but I had basically read comments and didnt say too much. I had had an issue with Chancellors at the time. They had charged me for an entire program when I hadn't received one thing from them. Thay had frozen my bank account etc. I ended up getting a Lawyer an we fought it. We won. Never thought It was possible because of the contract but, my thought was that I was not going to be a carpet for them to walk all over. I could have laid down and paid but what's right is right and what's wrong is wrong, so I fought. Luckily.
My advice to anyone trying to decide on distance learning is do your research. Do not go with the publishing comapanies! (just my oppinion) If this is the way you need to go with your education at this point, go right to Excelsior. You can apparently get guides and books from ebay and other sources for a fraction of the cost and no contract. (no worry of a frozen bank account )
At any rate, I had been trying to decide if Excelsior is the right route for me, or if Community College would better suit my needs. After careful consideration and so much helpful information from fellow nurses here at allnurses, I have decided to apply to Excelsior, get them to review my transcripts and tell me what I would need for them, then take a test before I enroll, to see how it works out for me.
I am going to try to get this accomplished before January, as Community College starts then and I have already got everything in place as a back up. (I am dreading that route)
I so much appreciate feedback from all of you, and give Kudos to all who have tried Excelsior's program. I understand that it will not be easy by any means however, it would definately be alot better for me and my family situation, if I can achieve my goals through Excelsior.
I am hopeful, and with all this excellent advice from those of you doing it or having done it, I feel it is very much a possibility.
Anybody who may have any advice as far as Clep or anything that could be cheaper or faster, would be greatly appreciated as I am a single mom of a 10, 13, and soon to be 16 year old. I have my LPN and no other transfer credits, so i assume I will be starting from scratch with Excelsior.
Thanks so much and sorry to have chatted so long...
Liz

I currently have my BA in business. I have been struggling the CC to get my pre-reqs for their nursing program, they keep changing the requirements, so I feel like I have constant set backs. The LPN program is a lot simpler, they do not have as many requirements, so I have been thinking about just taking the LPN program and then finishing the RN at Exelsior. What worries me is I have read some posts that some states, CA in particular will not license an Exelsior grad. I live in WI. Any thoughts on that would be appreciated. Also I worry that if WI will license an Exelsior grad, if they change the licensing requirements later, can they revoke your license?

From what I have seen. If a state decides not to accept the school and you are already enrolled, they usually will have a cut off date for you to be finished. Call your local BON and see if they accept EC and if there are any additional requirements needed.

Cali no longer accepts EC grads sine 2003. I did read in a post where someone said that they accepted EC grads on a case by case basis. IDK.From what I here on other boards, it is difficult to get a nursing job in Cali. Too many nurses and not enough jobs.

Hi NC Girl,
I just got off the phone with Excelsior, where I spoke with (moderator edit of name), she was very helpful in directing me to the publications area which broke down all the pre req's etc. Looks like a ton of work! Dont get me wrong, I knew this wasnt going to be a walk in the park. I'm just going to take it one step at a time, deep breaths,
I just wonder if you know, of the General education requirements, what can i clep? I believe this will be a bit easier on my pocket if I try to clep some of these. Any thoughts?
Thanks again,
Liz

I took the "Introductory Sociology" CLEP to satisfy EC's sociology requirement -- I believe they suggested their own "Gerontology" exam for that one. For Lifespan Developmental Psychology, I did the "Human Growth and Development" CLEP. One thing I'd do is get permission from EC in writing to use these CLEPs for credit -- you can send a message to faculty through the message center, linked from your "MyEC" page.

For the other general ed credits, I'm not sure what they'll take -- I had a huge number of credits coming in to EC. But I'd make a list of any that seemed applicable to the subject matter, and ask EC about each one. There are several that they take, I believe. Good luck!!

Thank you so much for your help! As I'm sure you know, this is all alot to take in. I would like to get everything moving as soon as possible so that I do not fall into another year of wishing I had. I will be asking EC about which courses they will let me clep.
I appreciate the input.

Liz LPN