Does Excelsior have a good LPN to RN Program

Nursing Students Excelsior

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Hello Everyone,

I am new here, a brief history: I an LPN currently working in acute rehab for a VA Hospital, I have been an LPN for 15 yrs. and would love to get my RN. I have primarily worked in the clinical setting.

I recently met a EC Graduate at work and she said it was a great program, since then I haven't seen her, and was told that she is now working in ICU at a major hospital. So I didn't get e chance to gather much information about the LPN-to-RN program. But, ever since meeting her I was very curious. I'd love to get involved with a distant learning RN program since I work full-time. I check my state board, and EC is acceptable here.

I am so pleased to have found this site. I stumbled upon the site while doing info searches for Excelsior College information. So far I have learned that EC is a distant learning college that can prepare LPN's for a bridge program to RN, among other programs. I see many links in my search that direct me to sites like the College Network and Rue, it looks like they sell study materials to pass the test-out courses. I have sent for information from Excelsior.

I was so happy to find this site, maybe someone can answer a few questions for me.

I hope I am following this correctly:

--As an LPN we can test each required course and get credit?

--How do you advance to take your nclex, that part is a little confusing?

--Are Rue or College Network good resources to prepare for testing.

--If you are in the program, are you happy with the program?

--Has anyone finished here?

Thanks, JS

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You can find plenty of input about EC in the distance forum. I think it is the greatest thing since cotton candy for those who have no other choices or who prefer not to be confined by traditional programs. The hardest part is passing the clinical exam in the end, but it is possible. Stay away from The College Network, Rue, Chancellors, and any of the other publishing companies. You can find any of their study guides used on ebay for pennies on the dollar. No need to saddle yourself with a $5000 contract in addition to the fees payable to EC. Go to the EC website: http://www.excelsior.edu to find out about the program and do some exploring here. You can always find somebody to answer your questions.

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Specializes in Wound Care, LTC, Sub-Acute, Vents.
hello everyone,

i am new here, a brief history: i an lpn currently working in acute rehab for a va hospital, i have been an lpn for 15 yrs. and would love to get my rn. i have primarily worked in the clinical setting.

i recently met a ec graduate at work and she said it was a great program, since then i haven't seen her, and was told that she is now working in icu at a major hospital. so i didn't get e chance to gather much information about the lpn-to-rn program. but, ever since meeting her i was very curious. i'd love to get involved with a distant learning rn program since i work full-time. i check my state board, and ec is acceptable here.

i am so pleased to have found this site. i stumbled upon the site while doing info searches for excelsior college information. so far i have learned that ec is a distant learning college that can prepare lpn's for a bridge program to rn, among other programs. i see many links in my search that direct me to sites like the college network and rue, it looks like they sell study materials to pass the test-out courses. i have sent for information from excelsior.

i was so happy to find this site, maybe someone can answer a few questions for me.

i hope i am following this correctly:

--as an lpn we can test each required course and get credit?

yes, there are 8 nursing exams and one of them we are exempt from because we hold an lpn license. you can take them in any order you want. it is basically like going to a regular school and getting the syllabus and don't come back to class until the "finals". you study on your own using the study guide (you can find from ec website) and take the "finals" at pearsonvue when you are ready. pearsonvue is where you take your nclex so it is proctored and not "online". you can also choose to take the pre-reqs with ec if you want to. you do the same thing and take the exam at pearsonvue.

--how do you advance to take your nclex, that part is a little confusing?

once you finish all the nursing exams and finished all the pre-reqs (general education) or within 10 credits i think, you will be eligible to take the fcca and cpne. fcca is basically a care planning and discharging exam for multiple patients. cpne is the 3-day clinical exam where you must function as new grad rn and will have to perform various assessments and managements and you will have a silent observer clinical examiner (msn prepared clinical instructor). and you must do all the assigned assessments and managements perfectly or you will be failed. you will have to pass 3 actual patients (2 adults, 1 peds) out of 5. if you pass all 3 patients without repeat, great! but if not, you can repeat one adult patient and one peds patient. if you fail your 1st adult pt and your second patient is adult again, you will go home if you don't pass that second adult pt. oh on the first day, you have simulation labs where you need to pass 4 stations: iv push, iv piggieback, dressing change, im or sub-q injection. you have one chance to repeat any of the stations, but if you fail it the second time, your $2,000+ bucks down the drain and you go home. you can only repeat cpne 3x. after that, all your hard work, time, money down the drain because you will be kicked out of the program. you can reapply again if you want to after 5 years i believe (?).

then, if you passed the fcca and the cpne and completed all you pre-reqs, you can graduate in a month or two and will be eligible for the nclex-rn.

--are rue or college network good resources to prepare for testing.

no, these are publishing companies that will cost you extra money. if you want to use these publishing companies, try ebay and buy used ones for way way less money. i don't know the quality of the books from these companies but i used my old lpn books, saunders nclex-rn review, and studygroup101.com study guides (10 bucks each).

--if you are in the program, are you happy with the program?

i am definitely happy with the program because i passed the cpne 10 days ago and will be graduating in october. then i can take the nclex-rn.

--has anyone finished here?

i am almost done just awaiting graduation. and yes there are plenty of people here who are done and working as rns and continued their education. i will enroll in ec rn-bsn program as soon as i pass the nclex-rn.

thanks, js

you're welcome!

welcome! and i know how confusing all this in the beginning. my answers above in blue.

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Specializes in ER, ICU.

That was my route (I'm a medic also) and can't say enough good things about the program. It was the only way I could do it working full time with little kids. I'm now in the Masters program and love that too. It requires a lot of discipline and personal motivation since it is totally up to you to study and take the tests. Good luck!

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Welcome to allnurses, JS! I'm also an EC grad (2008), and qualified for the program as a paramedic. I thought it was fabulous! The exams are challenging, and the clinical exam is nerve-wracking but doable. Excelsior opened doors for me that I never knew existed. Good luck!! :)

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Specializes in Cardiac Care, Palliative Care.

It seems that you're off to a great start! You already did alot of research already on Excelsior, especially finding out that Excelsior was accepted in your state. And you already know that Excelsior grads can find jobs, given that your previous co-worker is now working at a major hospital in the ICU.

I graduated from Excelsior in December 2009 and is now working in a hospital on an acute palliative care unit. I was working a full-time and part-time job when I started with Excelsior, and was able to complete the program in 1 year. I am highly satisfied with Excelsior's nursing program.

RUE and The College Network is quite expensive and is not necessary in order to pass the exams. You can go on Ebay to find books and study materials for alot less than the publishing company's materials.

You'll have to finish with all of the program's requirements, pass the FCCA and CPNE before you are eligible for the NCLEX. The 2 1/2 day clinical exam was challenging, but it helps to have some sort of clinical background, which it seems like you have, working on an acute rehab unit.

Good luck!

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Thank you for all your input. It was so helpful in trying to learn how the program works. I really think this program will work for me. You guys are so great and very encouraging. This seems like such a great forum for us to support and learn from each other. It is so comforting to have somewhere to go to vent or ask questions for this new journey.

I have applied, sent for my transcripts. I will now wait for an evaluation of my previous college credits.

I will stay away from any contract type material programs ie. publishing companies.

I followed the EC website and I registered (myEC) I was able to print out the health and safety content guide, and the A&P Guide.

--What are your recommendations for studying. Is it ok, to purchase used books, maybe older editions?

--Once I enroll is that when I can take my first test?

--I will need Micro and A&P for sure, I never took it at the college level. Do you think it is ok, to take as an EC exam vs. going to a class. I'd much rather test-out.

--Again, a million thanks to all of you. And Congrats to our newest Grads, and those that have finished but, continue to support us along our way......way to go:yeah:You are inspiring.

JS

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Specializes in Cardiac Care, Palliative Care.
thank you for all your input. it was so helpful in trying to learn how the program works. i really think this program will work for me. you guys are so great and very encouraging. this seems like such a great forum for us to support and learn from each other. it is so comforting to have somewhere to go to vent or ask questions for this new journey.

i have applied, sent for my transcripts. i will now wait for an evaluation of my previous college credits.

i will stay away from any contract type material programs ie. publishing companies.

i followed the ec website and i registered (myec) i was able to print out the health and safety content guide, and the a&p guide.

--what are your recommendations for studying. is it ok, to purchase used books, maybe older editions?

follow the content guides. yes you can purchase older editions. i purchased an older edition fundamentals, maternity, and mental health book, and they had all of the info i needed to study from.

--once i enroll is that when i can take my first test?

i believe you can take your first test right away after enrolling and paying for the exam. after your payment is received, you'll be able to schedule your exam on the pearson vue website.

--i will need micro and a&p for sure, i never took it at the college level. do you think it is ok, to take as an ec exam vs. going to a class. i'd much rather test-out.

i took my prereqs at the local community college, but that was because i was undecided about attending excelsior. but if getting through the exams fast is your priority, then taking the ec exam will probably be a good idea.

--again, a million thanks to all of you. and congrats to our newest grads, and those that have finished but, continue to support us along our way......way to go:yeah:you are inspiring.

js

good luck!

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

The only caveat to this is: several states do NOT accept the EC RN grad. If you are working in the VA system and KNOW you will never ever leave, you will be okay as long as your license is from a state that accepts the EC grad.

However, if there is ANY chance that you would need to move, make sure that EC is the route to go for you.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
The only caveat to this is: several states do NOT accept the EC RN grad. If you are working in the VA system and KNOW you will never ever leave, you will be okay as long as your license is from a state that accepts the EC grad.

However, if there is ANY chance that you would need to move, make sure that EC is the route to go for you.

Good advice. I assumed the OP knew this because the post mentioned making sure it was accepted by the BON, but it can't hurt to add the link for any others reading:

https://www.excelsior.edu/Excelsior_College/School_Of_Nursing/Accreditation_and_Licensure/State_Board_Requirements

That is a list of states that don't recognize EC, or that require additional hours for licensure. There are very few states that don't accept EC at all; most just require some RN time for endorsing in.

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Specializes in Psych, LTC, Acute Care.

EC grad here! Graduated Feb 2009! Its a Great program! You sound just like myself when I started. I didn't mess around with this program. I was finished an done in one year, and dodged the yearly $450 dollar fee. You have done all your home work and working out a few kinks. Good Luck and stick with it!

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EC grad here! Graduated Feb 2009! Its a Great program! You sound just like myself when I started. I didn't mess around with this program. I was finished an done in one year, and dodged the yearly $450 dollar fee. You have done all your home work and working out a few kinks. Good Luck and stick with it!

Wow, Good for you, stories like yours are very inspiring. I would love to be done in a year. I am so excited to get started.

Congrats:yeah:

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