Excelsior College Nursing / LPN to RN / Advice

natnat122 · Mar 1, 2013

I'm hating that class, it is the devil.

LOL..

Editorial Team / Moderator · Mar 1, 2013

Tricia-I'm new at all this.. But you were saying do what you are told.. Is that specifically on the day of cpne?? I'm nervous! I have taken transitions and HS, now HD... So far I've passed by studying practice exams and SG... But the CPNE scares me! Suggestions ?

By the time you get to the CPNE, you'll have studied your brains out. One step at a time!! :)

triciamatsuda · Mar 2, 2013

Hi firegirl711

By doing what you are told when testing your CPNE i meant, literally do what you are told. they are incredibly picky with documentation. I flunked coz i didn't write "NO EDEMA NOTED" on my notes during a skin assessment even though it was OBVIOUS that patient had no edema based on all the other stuff I wrote on the note!!! Also, I struggled with the CPNE because they require you to do a lot of stuff with patients, and I could tell that patients were getting incredibly aggravated and impatient, like, they regret having said yes to a student. I had no problems with their exams, it was just the clinical part that got me. Luckily I was able to get into a LPN-RN program in CA and am a RN now. If you have any questions or need help with anything, please let me know, I'd be glad to help! :)

Paranemec · Mar 3, 2013

For study materials I would suggest getting the Studyguide101 (sg101) set. It's like $60 for all 8 of the nursing courses. If you feel you're not able to get the material from that, then I would suggest getting the actual books. SG101 will save you a lot of money in that respect.

I did all my gen eds at local community colleges and made sure they transferred first. As for micro, it's changed a lot in the past 3 years, let alone 15!

ljsawyer · Mar 25, 2013

I am an RN working with 2 LPNs that are doing it.

I think the school is a scam.

Many of their friends fail on the first/pass on the second.

One just failed because she said she would keep her patients head up. She failed to say ELEVATE at a 45 degree angle.FAIL. Seriously? poof- just took a couple of thousand from you. Scammers. THEN..as I watched her studying..she is doing nursing care plans. Really? We havent had a care plan since the 80's at a major university hospital. These are part of your clinicals? They say this is how you prove you can critically think? Um no. Doctor writes the orders and you have 6 other patients. Figure out if its a good order. If you try and waste my time thinking of careplans-no one would get any care. Even 20 yrs ago..careplans are preprinted and you pull them just for looks. You cant do your nursing careplan because the doctors have a different careplan. Pretty scared at what they are teaching these nurses to pass them. The nurse I work with wont be ready. Also- you have to do what they want- not necessarily what your institution does. I would like to see how more of the students failed....then you will see what I see. I know everyone wants a quick RN, however...clinicals are a learning experience. Not so with these people. They want you back..was told you are also treated differently your second time.(by the one I work with) These people make you mix insulin something we havent done in years. These nurses I work with are going to have a difficult time transitioning. I am nothing less than stunned at what I hear them say. If you post you passed..great..but it appears a minority..

ljsawyer · Mar 25, 2013

Got your money, didnt they? And you are probably a good nurse..

Editorial Team / Moderator · Mar 25, 2013

The school is not a scam, nor is it a "quick RN." It's definitely not easy! When students sign up, they should be aware of what the CPNE entails. You are not getting the whole picture from your coworkers, either -- you don't fail the CPNE for just one thing. I passed my CPNE on the first try, and many other students do as well. YMMV.

tnmarie · Mar 25, 2013

@lssawyer We are also tested on running an IVPB without a pump, IVPs, and mixing insulins as a part of the four sim labs we must pass. When was the last time you did ANY of that, lol. I still don't necessarily think that is is a "scam" and I KNOW that it is neither a "quick" or "easy" RN.

Clinicals are a learning experience but this program is designed for medical professionals who already have hands on experience, hence a clinical exam at the end in lieu of clinicals.

The pass rate for the CPNE for the first time around is in the 60% range. It is low, but most who fail the first time will admit to how unprepared they were. It can feel nit-picky, but so can LPN/EMT skills test (we had to do head-to-toe assessments and other skills PERFECTLY in a set time for my EMT).

Even if they are "scamming" me, I'm still better off. There is no way I could have done a traditional program and even paying for the CPNE twice, it will cost less than a traditional program (and I didn't have to wait a year or more to even START it).

BrillyD · Mar 27, 2013

I have a friend in a formal, very reputable ADN nursing program, and they are indeed doing care plans. She was just complaining that her first one was 35 pages, but she now has it down to 10. IMHO anyone can click some little boxes on a screen, but shouldn't you know the how and why of a care plan? And the CPNE manual tells you everything you need to know - if your coworker said she would keep the patients head up, my question would be 'how?' - a pillow? ? - The manual says 'elevate to 45 degree angle' so that is what I'm gonna say. A small thing - yes, but we need to be precise and exact, we aren't gonna be there to 'wing it'. The CPNE is to show the examiners that you do indeed know your stuff - and I intend to be one of the majority (63% isn't it?) who pass the first time. That would be my 2 cents..... :zombie:

Lpn stuck · Mar 28, 2013

The school is not a scam, nor is it a "quick RN." It's definitely not easy! When students sign up, they should be aware of what the CPNE entails. You are not getting the whole picture from your coworkers, either -- you don't fail the CPNE for just one thing. I passed my CPNE on the first try, and many other students do as well. YMMV.

Hi I just joined this site to talk to someone about excelsior I graduate with lpn may 17! I am registered for ADN completion however I'd prefer doing it online if possible since I'm a single mother and don't want to live my son for work and school. My ultimate goal is CRNA and I seen your currently an ER nurse will you please be willing to talk to me PLEASE wig advice

Editorial Team / Moderator · Mar 29, 2013

Hi I just joined this site to talk to someone about excelsior I graduate with lpn may 17! I am registered for ADN completion however I'd prefer doing it online if possible since I'm a single mother and don't want to live my son for work and school. My ultimate goal is CRNA and I seen your currently an ER nurse will you please be willing to talk to me PLEASE wig advice

I saw in your other post that you are in the Chicago area, correct? If so, I'd recommend another route for your RN -- Illinois will only allow EC grad RNs to work in Illinois by endorsing their licenses in with two years of work experience. This is going to be a far more difficult way for you to obtain your RN and work where you live. That's my advice ... sorry! You can see the EC state board requirements here: State Board Requirements - excelsior.edu

delarmer · Apr 2, 2013

I too recently enrolled (Jan 2013). Welcome!! I just took my final in ILN 102 and passed. you can email me with any questions....we can learn this process together. [email protected]

Erika