Excelsior LPN to RN

Nursing Students Excelsior

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Hello Everyone,

I was wondering if anyone is currently taking the Excelsior LPN to RN ... and how goes it??!!

I'm not sure of this program, but I thought I would bite the bullet & try to pass the 1st of the 7 exams required.

I am also wondering why it is that you do not have to enroll to take the 1st two exams - Health Safety & Transition? Are they easier than the 5 remaining exams, and is this their way of getting you to take the worm? Or, are they harder than the 5 remaining exams - which would "weed out" the serious from those who aren't?

Thank you!

Helper-T.

I am strongly considering the Excelsior program for my Paramedic to RN transition. I spoke with a phone representative yesterday regarding the program but would like to get some more information from this group.

1.) Pre-requisites: I do not have A&P I/II, Micro, or a college level math course. Has anyone used the Excelsior courses to complete these courses? Are there better options without enrolling in community college to complete these courses, CLEP?

2.) Study Material: I've heard about e-Bay study guides and study websites, are these very useful? I don't want to spend thousands on text books that I could be saving towards my CPNE.

3.) People have mentioned taking exams 1 and 2 before enrolling??? How do you do that?

I would like to make a very informed decision before officially taking the plunge with Excelsior...any advice is greatly appreciated. I have no problem regarding self paced studying. I am just looking for information to get the absolute best out of my learning.

Thanks!

Specializes in Psych-LTC-Home Health.

1) I think alot of people do ECs anp and micro courses so they must not be too bad :)

2) The best study material I found is studygroup101, the rest were surely lacking info or were very old or disorganized. Buy your books used on Amazon or check with your library, they can get some of them on a 30 loan and it doesn't cost anything that way.

3) I think, until October, you can still take Health Safety and transition to registered nurse exams before enrolling. At least that way you can get a feel for the whole 'online' challenge exam thing before you commit.

Specializes in pediatrics.

hi everyone! im new here been an lpn since 1996 I live in westchester I really am considering this to get my rn but am soo worried since ive always been a traditional student. Do any of you guys live in westchester? i have so many questions and would love to also have some study buddies. is any one game?

Hello everyone, I have been a LPN for almost 20 yrs and have been back and forth about getting my RN. I want to do it online and have been looking at ec for 3 yrs but afraid to take the plunge. Heard lots of horror stories. I don't want to put all the time and money into it and not be prepared enough to sit for the boards or find its not accredited. Also, I have some credits from yrs ago but don't think I can use them. Has anyone taken all the general classes at ec along with the nursing ones. I really don't want to sit in a classroom and take up time. Iwant my degree quickly and with a family plus working full-time it will be impossible. Also, I live in western pa does anyone know if u need the labs for micro/a&p for pa licence. I read on the ec site something about that...I also read on someones post about doing clinical for who u work for? I have worked for a home health and hospice company for 5 yrs now. I do everything a RN does except push iv's but don't get the wages...any and all info would help greatly to ease my nerves and take the plunge. Thanks

Im using studygroup101, I think they are better than Lisa's and very affordable, they are on eBay too but they do have a website and you can get them as a download. I've done the first 5 exams and micro and anp with them. As soon as I save up some money I will register for LS3

hello i read your post and i am just starting using studygroup101 how did you use them,how long did you study for each exam and did you use any other source,i need to get through these test rather quickly,i was a paramedic and got hurt,my disability is going to expire in about 8 months so i would like some feedback on how it worked for you,thank you for your post and i hope to hear from you soon.

I am strongly considering the Excelsior program for my Paramedic to RN transition. I spoke with a phone representative yesterday regarding the program but would like to get some more information from this group.

1.) Pre-requisites: I do not have A&P I/II, Micro, or a college level math course. Has anyone used the Excelsior courses to complete these courses? Are there better options without enrolling in community college to complete these courses, CLEP?

2.) Study Material: I've heard about e-Bay study guides and study websites, are these very useful? I don't want to spend thousands on text books that I could be saving towards my CPNE.

3.) People have mentioned taking exams 1 and 2 before enrolling??? How do you do that?

I would like to make a very informed decision before officially taking the plunge with Excelsior...any advice is greatly appreciated. I have no problem regarding self paced studying. I am just looking for information to get the absolute best out of my learning.

Thanks!

Hi FLTMedic, Not sure if your questions have been answered, but I'll try to help! I'm also a Paramedic that just enrolled in Excelsior... (I used to fly, too...)

1. Pre reqs... I know people that have used Straighterline for A & P, and liked it very much. Check it out. They will let you do a free trial, then will send you a coupon for a free class... it's $99/month and each class is $39. I used them for Eng101 and also a Medical Terminology class. Math... I used ALEKS. College level Beginning Algebra. It was only $20!! That is the monthly fee, but I completed it an a week. I'll also mention Information Literacy... Penn Foster is the way to go! $70 and a few hours. I had all four of those classes added to my ACE transcript, which was sent to Excelsior. Micro... I'm going to take the Excelsior exam... that is my last pre req. I'll also mention that I took a CLEP exam for Human Growth & Development.

2. Study materials... I have purchased a number of books through Ebay and Amazon, all used. I got a set of College Network binders for pennies on the dollar (they charge about $5000 and force you to sign a contract!) I have heard of some people renting books or borrowing through their local library. I have a few Study Group 101 disks, and will likely buy more. I have some Lisa Arends disks, and do not like them... her numerous spelling and grammatical errors make me question the content. Some people have found her stuff helpful. There are other materials out there... maybe some others will jump in.

3. You may take Transitions prior to enrolling. This just changed... you used to be able to take Health Safety also before enrolling, but for students enrolled after Oct 1, it is no longer allowed. Go to their website to find the exams.. under the 'Credit by Exam' tab...

Good luck to you!! I hope this helps....

I graduated from Excelsior's LPN to RN program in early 2010. My suggestions.... You must be a good notetaker. I looked at the outlines of the booklets they send you and went through the books to find the specific information they mention. Then I took notes and then finally transferred my notes onto flashcards. It sounds like a lot but if you can take good notes, the additional writing onto flash cards is just reinforcment. I would note on each test for a month or so then cram the night before with flash cards. I completed the core RN classes in one year. I also was working full time and had a 2 year old. I felt like my own personal study skills made it easy. Also, the clinical exam also known as CPNE is not what you're thinking. Its an intense exam! It's not a clinical experience. And don't think for a minute that your previous nursing experience will carry you through. I am happy with Excelsiors program but what they don't tell you is the success rate is not very high for actually passing the CPNE. I was the only one of 8 there that weekend that passed. Some were there for their third time which meant that they were not able to stay in the program. The only way you'll pass the CPNE is by using Robs CPNE materials. It's not about how good of a nurse you are. IT's about passing the exam with a very specific way they are looking for. Goood luck!! And feel free to contact me by email if you want to talk more about it. [email protected]

Hi SeattleGirl -

Excelsior Rn program has been around for years & years. About 3-4 years ago, some of the states began NOT accepting Excelsior students. Excelsior sued those states & from my knowledge, every state now accepts Excelsior, but there are about 15 that have additional requirements. Link: State Board Requirements - excelsior.edu

The point is to get your RN license as quick as possible - without having to sit for hours in class. I took the time to attend classes for LPN to RN bridge programs. I did not feel ANY of them were "safe" and I did not feel that ANY of them were going to give you a "good" education. You could pass, yes, while sitting in class for hours & freely giving away your time & labor - after 1 to 2 years of weekly clinicals which would range up to 12 hours a day.

In LPN school, we literally could have learned EVERYTHING in 4 months. The balance of 8 months was torture, threatening & demeaning to students - and we HAD to be there 5 days a week. The last 4 months of the program, we would literally go to the clinical site - and sit at the cafeteria lunch tables, or on the inside of the stairwells that no one uses anymore - because there were too many students & not enough patients or nurses. EVERY ONE of my class passed the NCLEX - despite this lack of clinical experience. It's all about passing the NCLEX and getting your licensure. You will be really trained on the job. THATS where you will learn well!

Remember, very few states require a Nursing instructor to be a "licensed teacher." So, NONE of them are safe!! Most of these Nursing Instructors do not know HOW to teach!! Therefore, you don't receive a "good" education anyhow. Seriously. The nursing instructors only have to have BSN's - in nursing. I have never found one to be a licensed teacher. Never. Not even the Dean of Nursing, or any Directors of Nursing.

Meanwhile, to answer your question 3, I have dual enrolled in Excelsior & a "real" college BSN program. The "real" BSN program doesn't start yet. My goal is to have my RN license before it starts. Upon receipt of my RN license, the "real" college will give me 60 credit hours towards my BSN.

I took all my 60 pre-reqs through a "real" college - not Excelsior. But, I used CLEP to test out of 24 of those pre-reqs. Although a "real" college will not give me credits for Excelsiors 7 nursing tests, I will get 60 credits upon receipt of my RN license - despite I used Excelsior to do it. It just does not matter WHERE you get your RN license. Hospitals don't care, no one cares. They just want you to have it. They will teach you properly - THEIR way.

As far as the Excelsior 2 to 3 day clinical - it is not a "clinical" - it is a challenge exam. Can you pass it? If you can pass it & are deemed safe - then you can sit for your RN-NCLEX.

There are several companies out there that will teach you in 1 week - what you need to know & do to pass Excelsior clinicals. The costs range from $600 - $1000 for that week. If you don't feel comfortable, take it again.

This is the route I am taking. I've already passed the 1st exam as I said in a former post.

It looks like it's going to be do-able without much pain but personally, I will take 2 weeks to study for each exam instead of one week.

Helper-T

Helper-T checking to see if you are still moving forward with the Excelsior program and is it worth it? I have been completing pre-reqs for the psat couple of years and can 'apply' for a LPN to RN Bridge program but even if I get accepted, it won't start until next Fall (2013). I'm thinking at that point I would be almost done with the required Nursing Courses via Excelsior and getting ready to take the 3 day clinical weekend. Thoughts on how your route is goind would be appreciated.

I'm an LPN that has been searching for a legit LPN - RN online program. I am feeling that excelsior is going to be the one. I don't really understand the process of getting started to I want to speak to an advisor so they can help explain. I have enjoyed learning more about the program from you guys. Any other insights please feel free to post all experiences good or bad.

Will let everyone know what I find out, from the advisor... Well I have to at least wait till Monday!

Hi Helper-T. Are you the same Helper-T that has the study sets on Quizlet? I have used the sets to study and they are great. Can you tell me where I can find study sets for all the Taylor Fundamental chapters? It doesn't have to be flash card style. Any help will be appreciated. osimsl at aol dot com.

I would like to know if anyone has successfully used any free Google library (or other free or inexpensive online library) textbooks to study for Excelsior nursing exams. This would be besides your traditional bricks and mortar library, obviously. Thanks.

Specializes in Med-Surg, LTC, Psych, Addictions..

I used Lisa Arends discs. Full of typos and spelling errors but cheap.....like $75 for the whole set. I took an exam every 3-6 weeks. I'm glad I coughed up the cash.

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