Did You Know?
allnurses is the largest community for nurses on the web. We now have over 388,460 members! Join today to network with other nurses, laugh, share, and much more.
| No. 20 | 
Sep 30, 2009, 10:47 AM
Updated
Sep 30, 2009 at 10:54 AM by LunahRN
 Re: Question about Excelsior Originally Posted by mtrebe  I have never seen a program that fails a student for a minor error.
Just for clarification purposes for the OP and others who might be reading, students don't fail the CPNE for just one error -- the labs and adult and pediatric patient care scenarios (PCSs) can be repeated one time each if a student fails one of them, or all of them; there is a bit of a safety net. I failed what should have been my last PCS for not ID'ing my patient properly ... a totally tiny omission, but a critical element of the PCS, and even though I'd totally done it correctly for two previous PCSs, that didn't matter! Luckily I went on to pass my final PCS to pass the weekend, but man ... it got a little too close for comfort.
mtrebe, I wish you luck on your next attempt! Agree about Lynn, too. She rocks.  Good luck!! Many members of this forum went on to be successful with a second CPNE attempt.
 | | Advertisement Sponsored Links | | | | No. 21 |
Sep 30, 2009, 11:24 AM
Re: Question about Excelsior
I used Excelsior to go from LPN to RN (I passed my NCLEX on the first try in April with only 75 questions). I did not purchase my material from EC but used Rue and was very pleased with their material. Yes, it may be costly, but they broke the material down and made it easier to study and understand. I took a total of 10 classes and made 4 As, 4Bs, and 2 Cs. (One of the Cs was because I had something bad happen right before I took the test and couldn't concentrate. The other was Microbiology and I was happy to have just passed!) I am considering pursuing my BSN and have thought positively about using EC again. My only problem with them is that I am having a hard time finding a job as an RN because of how I obtained my ASN. Which is totally stupid because we all have to pass the same NCLEX to get licensed. It's not like the computer modified it for me because I got my degree as a distance learner rather than sitting in a classroom. Oh, and I bought some of Lisa Arend's materials and found them to be very disorganized with many, many grammatical and punctuation errors. Wish I hadn't wasted my money.
Good Luck!
Cindy
| | No. 22 |
Sep 30, 2009, 11:51 AM
Re: Question about Excelsior
I'm currently waiting to take my CPNE--in exactly one month! But I know, from reading the study guide, EPN, and have Rob's dvd, what Excelsior is looking for. Not checking wristbands and washing hands may seem like a silly reason to fail, but I know I have to play by Excelsior's rules to pass this exam, and move on with my life. Like others may tell you, it doesn't matter how long you've been in the healthcare field, if you don't play by the rules, you lose. So I'm throwing away all of my bad habits from working in health care for 7 years, and learning how to do everything by "the book".
Good luck on your second attempt at the CPNE! Originally Posted by mtrebe The tests for each "class" are very straight forward. I have been using Rue Ed for study guides and they are extremely helpful. I passes all of my tests without problems.
What is the killer--the CPNE. I just took mine for the first time and did not pass. It is a pass/fail system. One little error, not doing something exactlylike Excelsior dictates, you fail.
If I had not put all of the time, energy and money into this, I would go another more traditional route. I have been a RRT for 20 years, I have worked in every area of the hospital, I gave allergy shots, I intubate, I assist with bronchs.I have been a director of clinical education and teach both respiratory care and nursing students.
I have never seen a program that fails a student for a minor error.
Sour Grapes? Yes some. I am beginning to believe the rumors that they are in it for the money. The CPNE costs $1950. I get to pay it again. ANd the travel and hotel and etc......
I do kick myself for not doing more research.
My advise, be very sure that this is the route you want to go. The majority of the students I went with failed. (4 out of 7)
Talk to more that have gone throught the CPNE. If you do go this route, practice, practice, practice. Take several workshops. Lynn Fredricks offers a great one. The school encourages you to take theirs, but again--more money for the school.
It is you to you, this is my two cents--spend it wisely. | | No. 23 |
Sep 30, 2009, 01:26 PM
Re: Question about Excelsior
Is Excelsior the better route to go from LPN to RN?
My GPA from LPN school is 2.5, and am finding a 3.0 is needed for for an LPN to RN university classroom program.
Any suggestions?
| | No. 24 |
Sep 30, 2009, 01:53 PM
Re: Question about Excelsior Originally Posted by CndRN/LPN I used Excelsior to go from LPN to RN (I passed my NCLEX on the first try in April with only 75 questions). I did not purchase my material from EC but used Rue and was very pleased with their material. Yes, it may be costly, but they broke the material down and made it easier to study and understand. I took a total of 10 classes and made 4 As, 4Bs, and 2 Cs. (One of the Cs was because I had something bad happen right before I took the test and couldn't concentrate. The other was Microbiology and I was happy to have just passed!) I am considering pursuing my BSN and have thought positively about using EC again. My only problem with them is that I am having a hard time finding a job as an RN because of how I obtained my ASN. Which is totally stupid because we all have to pass the same NCLEX to get licensed. It's not like the computer modified it for me because I got my degree as a distance learner rather than sitting in a classroom. Oh, and I bought some of Lisa Arend's materials and found them to be very disorganized with many, many grammatical and punctuation errors. Wish I hadn't wasted my money.
Good Luck!
Cindy
Thanks for the heads up on Lisa Arend's CD's. I bought one and thought "this is it?" Would love to hear what others think.
I have just begun my EC adventure and am pleased so far. I would skip College Network so as not to pay a middle man and have an EC advisor available to you.
| | No. 25 |
Sep 30, 2009, 02:02 PM
Re: Question about Excelsior Originally Posted by suzi-Q Thanks for the heads up on Lisa Arend's CD's. I bought one and thought "this is it?" Would love to hear what others think.
I think when you buy someone's notes, you get what you pay for -- notes!  I found some good information in her notes, but I wouldn't use them as a primary study source. And yes, I am incredibly ... um, "detail oriented" when it comes to spelling, grammar, etc., so it was a little difficult to get past that. Heh. Just my opinion/experience; your mileage may vary.
I highly recommend EC's practice exams, though. Those things are worth every penny (I think they're $65 now).
| | No. 27 |
Oct 01, 2009, 11:24 AM
Updated
Oct 01, 2009 at 11:46 AM by LunahRN
Re: Question about Excelsior
I am an RN and wanted my BSN so I ordered all the books from The College Network. Very expensive and then did not even use them. I decided to go through Western Governor's University which is very economical and accredited. Excelsior is its own program aside from TCN and costs more money on top of what you already spent. Be wary.
| | No. 28 |
Oct 01, 2009, 10:54 PM
Re: Question about Excelsior
I didn't actually enroll with them until near graduation. Up to that point, I just paid for each test as i did it. Be aware, not all states accept their program...check with the state boards of your state before doing anything. Also, though they're accredited & other schools are SUPPOSED to accept the grades, most don't. After about a year of arguing, San Jose State finally at least gave me credit for some of the credits, if not the grades.
Their study guides are fairly good & you can get the books anywhere. Don't waste your money on any of the companies that sell you their study guides & books. Really pricy & they aren't all that helpful (friend did it that way).
I was an LVN for years & the program really worked for me. their pre-clinical test workshop was a terrific investment...their video wasn't.
| | No. 29 |
Oct 01, 2009, 10:58 PM
Re: Question about Excelsior
Take some really easy classes to bump up your GPA (ie: PE, public speaking, food culture..). Alternatively, you can often re-take classes to replace the old grade...check on it. Community college is generally the cheapest.
|
| 358 members
3,991 guests 4,349
| 1 | | | 12 | | | 2 | | | 9 | | | 17 | | | 11 | | | 16 | | | 16 | | | 37 | | | 14 | | | 20 | | | 23 | | | 19 | | | 24 | | | 10 | |
|
Nursing News