Failed fcca

nkeyshi · Aug 19, 2014

Im in the same boat I fail too have to wait 8 more weeks.

ninonal · Sep 28, 2015

Hi Lindsay I no its late. I tried to contact u from this site but cant. Can u email me [email protected] I want to ask u a ?. Thank u

guest1008832 · Feb 27, 2017

FAILED FCCA 247A today! Not impressed and I think the testing for this course is unorthodox. The questions are more theory based and don't be fooled, study guides from studyguides101 will do nothing to help you. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY! In fact, the reading material chapters did little to prepare me as a student for this exam. Now, I am registered for FCCA 247C, which means I am now 8 wks behind again in completing my academic requirements and must repay the course fee. I should have NEVER affiliated with this college. I need to determine if a traditional community college will accept my credits and apply to a RN program not designed to fail. Following a class action lawsuit against the college in 2015 from students who complained about the CPNE requirements and massive failures, I would have expected the Dean and Faculty Program Director to review the curriculum to determine FAIRNESS and common sense questioning not designed to fail to the student. This is an outrage.

NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN · Feb 28, 2017

FAILED FCCA 247A today! Not impressed and I think the testing for this course is unorthodox. The questions are more theory based and don't be fooled, study guides from studyguides101 will do nothing to help you. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY! In fact, the reading material chapters did little to prepare me as a student for this exam. Now, I am registered for FCCA 247C, which means I am now 8 wks behind again in completing my academic requirements and must repay the course fee. I should have NEVER affiliated with this college. I need to determine if a traditional community college will accept my credits and apply to a RN program not designed to fail. Following a class action lawsuit against the college in 2015 from students who complained about the CPNE requirements and massive failures, I would have expected the Dean and Faculty Program Director to review the curriculum to determine FAIRNESS and common sense questioning not designed to fail to the student. This is an outrage.

It's an outrage because you failed. Had you passed, you'd feel differently. You regret your affiliation with the college, yet you failed to withdraw before, during, or after the "2015 class-action lawsuit". AND, you've registered for yet another class.

I failed A&P with EC back in 2006. As a result, I walked away, never to return....at that time. After 3 years of licking my wounds, I applied and enrolled with the college, passed A&P with a B, and went on to graduate and become an RN in 2010. EC didn't change the exam; I changed my approach at learning/understanding the material.

It didn't end there. I failed my first-ever nursing exam in the BSN program. Again, I changed my approach and went on to get an A in the class.

There are many students who passed the same course on the day you failed it. It was your choice to use studygroup101 to prepare for the exam. Why are you blaming the college for failing when it is obvious that YOU didn't follow their recommendations?

WHEN, not if, you become an RN, you're going to be on the receiving end on a regular basis of being blamed for another's failure to accept responsibility for their own actions.

People love you to death as long as everything is going their way. But let something change, and Dr. Jekyll turns into Mr. Hyde.

Once you calm down, refocus, and change your approach, I feel you will pass and go on to the CPNE. But with your present attitude, your sure to fail the CPNE as well.

Good luck to you!

guest1008832 · Feb 28, 2017

Dear BSNbeDONE,

Thank you for taking the time to reply. My registration for the FCCA 247C was completed at the same time of registration for 247A in Dec. 2016, just for clarification. I also want to address your position statement regarding, Dr. Jekyll vs. Mr. Hyde. My goal is not only to advocate for myself but for those students who have also failed. Previously, I did reach out to the college even when I felt my passing of several of the additional nursing classes contained content that was not in-line with academic standards or within fair testing practices. Personally, I think I could have achieved a much higher grade if I wasn't critiqued on "punctuation" for an online discussion thread vs. my understanding on the subject matter.

I have not only spent 23 years in the Army as a Medic and practiced in a combat environment, I have been a Paramedic for 20 years. I am well trained and versed in ACLS, PHTLS, PALS, Intubation, IO Access, Cricothyroidotomies, Needle Chest Decompression, OBGYN, Pharmacology, IV access, etc... This EC course was designed to recognize these CLINICAL skills so I don't have to spend hours upon hours proving what I do on a daily basis throughout my career. That goes for the LPN's also. However, I find the testing material is not in line with those accomplishments and in fact, designed to FAIL. I am embarrassed at my FAILING of the FCCA based on my level of experience and it should be an embarrassment to the college as well.

I have taken many tests throughout my lifetime. I even attended college to be a Paralegal in addition to my medical studies as a Paramedic. NEVER, in my life, have I been subjected to unorthodox testing questions such as "Select All That Apply". This does little to demonstrate knowledge based questioning, PERIOD! It is therefore, not objective.

I also protest your opinion that based on my current "attitude" that I will not succeed in the CPNE testing should I continue forward. If the testing is fair, non-biased and conforms to the course material then NOBODY should fail. The fact so many are failing is appalling and demonstrates there is a problem with the testing material, design and outcome. Using what I call, statutory rules of construction, 17 students sue the college in a Class Action in 2014 citing various areas of discrimination, breach of contract and unorthodox testing procedures causing students to fail at an alarming rate which demonstrates a significant problem the college is failing to address.

My use of any additional resources such as Studyguide101 was only secondary to the already followed course material recommended by the college. I believe you assumed I only followed those resources. Unfortunately, I will be left with only one alternative if I can not find another college to transfer to, SUE THE COLLEGE to continue to advocacy for change because that is what I am suppose to do!

NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN · Mar 1, 2017

Dear BSNbeDONE,
Thank you for taking the time to reply. My registration for the FCCA 247C was completed at the same time of registration for 247A in Dec. 2016, just for clarification. I also want to address your position statement regarding, Dr. Jekyll vs. Mr. Hyde. My goal is not only to advocate for myself but for those students who have also failed. Previously, I did reach out to the college even when I felt my passing of several of the additional nursing classes contained content that was not in-line with academic standards or within fair testing practices. Personally, I think I could have achieved a much higher grade if I wasn't critiqued on "punctuation" for an online discussion thread vs. my understanding on the subject matter.
I have not only spent 23 years in the Army as a Medic and practiced in a combat environment, I have been a Paramedic for 20 years. I am well trained and versed in ACLS, PHTLS, PALS, Intubation, IO Access, Cricothyroidotomies, Needle Chest Decompression, OBGYN, Pharmacology, IV access, etc... This EC course was designed to recognize these CLINICAL skills so I don't have to spend hours upon hours proving what I do on a daily basis throughout my career. That goes for the LPN's also. However, I find the testing material is not in line with those accomplishments and in fact, designed to FAIL. I am embarrassed at my FAILING of the FCCA based on my level of experience and it should be an embarrassment to the college as well.
I have taken many tests throughout my lifetime. I even attended college to be a Paralegal in addition to my medical studies as a Paramedic. NEVER, in my life, have I been subjected to unorthodox testing questions such as "Select All That Apply". This does little to demonstrate knowledge based questioning, PERIOD! It is therefore, not objective.
I also protest your opinion that based on my current "attitude" that I will not succeed in the CPNE testing should I continue forward. If the testing is fair, non-biased and conforms to the course material then NOBODY should fail. The fact so many are failing is appalling and demonstrates there is a problem with the testing material, design and outcome. Using what I call, statutory rules of construction, 17 students sue the college in a Class Action in 2014 citing various areas of discrimination, breach of contract and unorthodox testing procedures causing students to fail at an alarming rate which demonstrates a significant problem the college is failing to address.
My use of any additional resources such as Studyguide101 was only secondary to the already followed course material recommended by the college. I believe you assumed I only followed those resources. Unfortunately, I will be left with only one alternative if I can not find another college to transfer to, SUE THE COLLEGE to continue to advocacy for change because that is what I am suppose to do!

But, you have never been a nurse. I've been nursing for years. But there is no way that I'd ever believe that I can cross over into being a paramedic without any difficulty because of my nursing training and background. Nursing is an entirely different world from your world. It is possible that your "well-versed" training has you overthinking some things and under-thinking others.

Regarding critique of your punctuation, were you not informed that discussion posts were to be written in APA format prior to beginning the courses? This was expected in my core requirements in English I & II. If you hope to advance your career in nursing (especially with the magnet-status/BSN-only), there will probably be more papers to write than you've written in your entire life. With these facilities, which are catching on like dominoes in a wildfire, your credentials--ASN included--will be null and void without a BSN.

As far as suing the college, you should prepare to sue whatever college you enroll in, in that case, because they all incorporate NCLEX-style questions, or should, to help you prepare for the NCLEX. The NCLEX is riddled with SATA. (You might want review the NCLEX threads on this forum because your own understanding has got you highly misinformed in this regard). Just because you have never heard of SATA, or whatever else involving nursing for that matter, does not mean that it doesn't or shouldn't exist.

Do you plan to sue NCSBN as well? They are the ones who created the NCLEX, and revised it to include SATA, fill-in-the-blank, diagrams, etc. These colleges are attempting to introduce the students to what THEY WILL SEE on the NCLEX. If you have a problem with that, then you might want to close your wallet and not spend another dime towards a nursing degree because I seriously doubt the NCSBN is going to change their exam because students do not like SATA questions.

By the way, I notice you didn't mention one word about amazing rate of students who passed the FCCA and the CPNE. But that's beside the point. What makes your experience and background so fail-proof? I had been a nurse for 27 years when I failed my very first-ever nursing exam. So what? As a human, I'm prone to failures just like you are and everybody else. I didn't like it, but it happened. I failed my first PCS at the CPNE. I was hurt by that, but I went on to pass the exam while enduring the most heart-breaking personal issues of my life during that same exact weekend.

As skilled as you are, you do not know nursing because you have never been a nurse. Even those students in traditional programs are frequently overheard and crying "they didn't teach us this in nursing school" when they got their first nursing job.

Whatever you decide to is your choice and your right. You can move on to another school if that suits your needs better. Be prepared for your pop-quiz at the beginning of class in the old brick and mortar where, low and behold, the entire 10-question exam is Select All That Apply. You may sue, but if you want to become a nurse, you will have and answer enough of those select all that apply questions correctly.

As for the attitude at the CPNE, I didn't mean to offend you with that, but it will not change the fact that apparently your attitude has already formed your opinion of that exam. It is 2017, and you are still focused on the events of 2014-15 as if you were one of those students who failed. Maybe EC had some bad apples as faculty; maybe not. Who's to say? The faculty there are human beings just like the students who enrolled. Not all students who have the credentials to get into Excelsior College have what it takes to be successful in the program. Not all instructors who have the credentials to teach are meant to have the job. And from my personal experience as an acute care nurse, not all individuals who hold a nursing license have what it takes to be a nurse...they were just really good test-takers. Nothing and no one is fail-proof.

I've given you my best opinion based on personal experience as an LPN and RN on the job with new grads/patients/co-workers, as a student inside a brick and mortar classroom, and as a two-time Excelsior graduate. None of it flowed exactly as I wanted it to. But I do hope you reach the outcome that you want. Do read some of the threads involving students who are attending a physical classroom, and especially those threads regarding the NCLEX and the various types of question formats that they encounter. You may find something of use to you. Good luck!

guest1008832 · Mar 1, 2017

Here in PA, we offer a PHRN (Pre-Hosp. RN) program to allow RN's the opportunity to bridge their skills into the pre-hosp. arena. It is a 3 month class designed to align RN's with the ability to work independently but without insulting their intelligence. I was apparently mislead by EC when they claimed my experience and Paramedic education would allow me to excel through their ADN program. That is a FALSE statement which was used as a recruiting tool. I also was misinformed of the associated costs for the CPNE (per attempt) or prolonged waiting periods. For the record, Paramedic tests (in PA) do not include SATA questions and therefore the NCSBN should take that into consideration. I stand by my previous statement, which you did not argue, EC's testing practices are not objective testing methods. If joining the NCSBN into a legal action will warrant further attention to a change in testing standards (as an advocate), then I welcome it.

I actually chuckled at your statement claiming, "By the way, I notice you didn't mention one word about amazing rate of students who passed the FCCA and the CPNE". In fact, as a Paralegal, I am well versed in reading Court opinions and I read the EC Settlement Agreement cover to cover. EC, NEVER informed me of a pass/fail ratio prior to or post Court Settlement, causing them to be in breach of the Settlement Agreement. Therefore, I can not speak of this "amazing" success rate you speak of. I was also never informed of the FCCA standards, failing rates or the need to repeat the course for another full 8 weeks if you did not pass. Knowing what I know today, I would have NEVER affiliate with this college.

The failure of the FCCA based on my level of current education and experience demonstrates a testing method specifically designed to fail students unnecessarily. The key concept being "Unnecessarily". Contrary to your belief, my level of education and experience should have well prepared me for this course. It is an injustice and dehumanizing to intentionally cause for a student to have his/her educational goals retarded by designing an exam that you can only pass if you GET LUCKY. Personally, I am now emotionally compromised at my failure, the now extended timeline needed to continue, the financial burden assigned and the distraught at the ignorance the college has demonstrated in failing to address this on-going problem.

Any student who has recently failed the FCCA or CPNE exams in the last year are now apart of a group of students able to raise the issue of fraud and deceptive practices after Trump University set the bar and legal precedent. EC now falls into this category. EC can no longer commercialize on the concept that your "experience" will benefit you in any way in degree completion or in fact, obtain a degree that will be recognized in the State in which you reside. This was another misleading propaganda tactic worthy of a State Attorney General investigation as a Non-Profit College. Apparently, I require a college degree with several years experience to achieve, at best, an entry level job and yet our President, who ran a college designed on fraud with no college education can run our Country! Rant over, #dropsmic

I'm not a bitter student! I am student, none-the-less who believes in fairness. I have read the forums you have suggested and from my view, they are not favorable to on-line distance learning but were favorable for the so called, brick-and-mortar colleges. Those colleges were close to home, affordable and did not fail students at alarming rates. That was not their goal. There goal was to see students SUCCEED at all costs. One student after another who has been sent home from the CPNE because of a stupid technicality, those instructors should be FIRED. I suppose for every task or test I ever faced in the Army while attending medical training, I guess they should have just sent me home and said...TAKE CARE, good luck. We wouldn't have any Soldier's left to fight and defend our Country if that were the case. I find EC course and abrasive testing methods deplorable and those responsible for failing any student unnecessarily can, by law, be held accountable. The prior Class Action against EC has set the tone and stage that students are NOT going to tolerate being failed unnecessarily and I pray that each testing location offered by EC for the CPNE is made aware of this standard.

Unlike other students who may not share in my legal knowledge, I will not require an Attorney to make a statement. I will drive all the way to NY to file each and every document and motion as needed to facilitate change. The last legal action against EC cost $300,000 in legal fees from the Plaintiff's Attorney which was paid by EC. If $300,000 does not send a clear message that testing standards are not in-line with fairness, I don't know what it is going to take to send the correct message.

In closing, last week, I transported a patient to the hospital in cardiac arrest. The RN receiving the pt. (in the E/R) could not identify the pt.'s rhythm (V-Fib) and had little understanding as a BSN on what to do and had to call others to help. Nobody could find a code cart and then when they did, the RN had no idea if she should use 1:1000 or 1:10,000 EPI. Previously, an extended care facility RN could not make the distinction between a biliary tube from a foley catheter! Last year, I encountered a RN with a BSN degree who had no idea how to start an IV. Are you kidding me with this? This education system is broken and I am now 25K in debt from my affiliation with EC and most likely will never see my degree because of unorthodox testing standards. Oh, btw, I was fully aware of the APA format and I also excelled in English I & II. I understand the concept of grammar and punctuation as a Paralegal, however I was not taking an English class, I was taking nursing classes designed to demonstrate my understanding of nursing concepts and care plans. The rubric was over critical of punctuation and the use of non-US resources the EC library even recommended.

I'm glad you found the ability to adapt and overcome. Maybe you have the time, energy and money to just shrug your shoulders and say, I failed. Some of us have set goals and expectations, have families to raise and sought out this course through EC because they believed it would be an easy transition and FAIR based on the advertised "bridge" concept. I once read a review from a student who attended the CPNE who also was a former Veteran. He claimed his experience in Army Basic Training was cake compared to the CPNE treatment and testing. Shameful.

guest1008832 · Mar 1, 2017

**Correction...I once read a review from a student who attended the CPNE who also was a former Soldier, now Veteran. I did not want to offend my fellow Vets out there.

NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN · Mar 1, 2017

I will only comment on your last paragraph to say that I only had the time because of my hours being cut severely. As for family, I had to wait until my kids were grown because I couldn't afford it otherwise. I've endured many sacrifices to get my degree. I say the CPNE was a piece-o-cake, when others may say it was the hardest thing they've ever done. Who's right? Me or your veteran friend? It's all about perception and preparation. I'd fail a military boot camp because 'military' is not what I know. Would I sue the government because of it? Hell no! That would be stupid.

But you're hell-bent on suing whoever creates an exam that doesn't meet with your "standards". And you're basing this on your military and paramedic training. Did you even click the links on the website? It clearly states that being and LPN/LVN, Paramedic, or Military Corpsman DOES NOT GUARANTEE SUCCESS IN THE PROGRAM.

The pass/fail rates are posted as a hyperlink on the website as well under the ASSOCIATE degree heading. I would advise you to do more research before you go emptying your pockets left and right into a lawyer's hands. But I don't care whether you do or not. I have absolutely nothing invested in you or the college. I'm simply trying to let you know that the information you claim was kept from you is indeed on the website. But it seems you've chosen to turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to it all.

On that note, I'm done with this discussion. Good luck with your lawsuit.

guest1008832 · Mar 1, 2017

Here are the results you spoke of...I did find them. I knew where they were, but I registered in 2014 at a time results were not shared with students, just to be clear! These results were only made public following a law suit.

I am also not jumping up and down about these ratios. They are horrible, nothing to be proud of.

Result: Between Fiscal Years 2010 and 2015 (July 2009 - June 2015), 75.2% of students passed the CPNE by June 30, 2015.

Of those individuals who passed the CPNE by June 30, 2015:

67.3% passed on their first attempt

26.0% passed on their second attempt

6.7% passed on their third attempt

And as I interpret it, it cost each student who took the CPNE $2,255 dollars each attempt. So if you were one of the 3rd attempts, congratulations, you just received a debt of $6,765 plus hotel and travel expenses not included. Pffftttt

nursebeth77, ASN · Mar 2, 2017

Wow! Y'all have some strong feelings each way, I almost had to make some popcorn to read the posts.

I have been been on all three sides of the spectrum, I was an EMT prior to getting my LVN and I also hold a bachelors in Education and I am a Navy veteran.

Nursing test and medic testing are nothing alike, as a medic all of the questions are going to be "what do you do when you get on scene?" and nursing is going to be deeper because you do a lot of education with pts and prioritizing. And yes there are a lot of select all that apply and put in order " absolutely hate them" but they are there.

I started at a brick and mortar school for my BSN and I failed with a 74.06 and I needed a 74.45 to pass in mental stupid health (which is totally subjective) oh and that was based on test, they didn't include the homework and the essays until you made a 74.45 average on the test, then they would add them in.

Oh, with working experience on both sides has big flaws. Some nurses I have worked with, I question every day how the heck they are a nurse! And I've worked with medics that I wouldn't let touch me at all.

Unfortunately we all have seen the system fell for people. Whether it be online or a brick and mortar school. You just have to adapt and overcome and push forward and never let anybody say that you can't do it. I have failed tests, I just retake them because I am my own worst enemy. I can't fell something and give up! That's not who I am.

On a closing note. Be kind to each other because being a medic and a nurse is never easy. We should always encourage each other.

PS. I know my grammar sucks but I don't care.

emtpbill, ASN, RN, EMT-P · Mar 2, 2017

Emtpbruse, I can relate to how you feel. I paid all this money, took time off from work, flew half way across the country, and failed the CPNE on something that, I felt, was out of my control.

After I took a step back. Reevaluated the situation. Licked my wounds and pride. I dug my boots in and am not going to let this little hiccup, well big hiccup, keep me from the prize. Too close to the end. While I am just a step past you on this journey and the sting of having to wait 8 more weeks (if you choose) to repeat the FCCA I can assure you from personal experience that you can do this. From what you wrote we practice paramedicine in the same state and pretty much sounds like we have been doing this for around the same amount of time. You have dedicated a lot of time, and money, so far to get where you are in the degree process.

Im not here to be the website cheerleader, but I can relate with the anger of failing a test that probably has no bearing of your abilities to practice nursing in the real world. When I was told I failed because I took a glove off at the wrong time I thought to myself "how in the hell does this keep me from getting my degree and take the NCLEX, are you serious?".

Obviously whether you decide to give it another go or not is totally up to you. Just don't let your emotion dictate your decision.

Be safe!