Re: thinking of starting with Excelsior....
With your pre-req courses done, it sounds like you're good to go. Don't let another day pass without doing
something to work towards your goal. It's a great program for those already having clinical experience, and Florda seems to be EC-friendly for LPNs for now. Not easy by any means, but it provides opportunity where most traditional programs currently do not.
As far as testing in Atlanta, it wasn't too bad. There were about eight candidates in my group at SRMC. I know that two of us passed; me and an LPN from Florida. I never found out about anyone else. A couple of the candidates were asking questions that made you think they had not prepared at all. All the evaluators were very nice and professional; most of them worked at Atlanta area colleges and universities as nursing professors. One candidate was there to make his final attempt at the CPNE (I can't remember how many they allow, but talk about stress).
Stay clear of publishing companies. As Lunah says, find the study guides you need on eBay. You can find all of your textbooks there too. Or maybe on half.com or amazon. Buy used books, maybe even a previous edition. Very little usually changes from edition to edition, and you'll save a lot of money. I completed all seven NC exams in six months, then waited another six months for the CPNE. The wait is a blessing though; you'll need that time to prepare.
Finally, network with people on here who are actual EC grads, but beware of people who present false info as fact. There's always one or two of those lurking around. Also, when in doubt about anything, get the final word from EC and your state's BON.
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I know a few people who have changed sites for the second attempt and had a much better experience! But don't be scared ... by the time you'll go for your CPNE, you'll probably be OVERprepared. 
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