For those having doubts about starting the program

Nursing Students Excelsior

Published

I'd like to tell you a little bit about my experience with this program. It was my intention to start this program immediately after finishing LPN school, I even flirted with the idea of not quitting my STNA job I loved and waiting until I finished this program to continue working at my job of the time after getting my RN, but then I got my girlfriend pregnant during LPN school and that changed everything. I started having doubts about being able to do the program while having a baby and I waited. I regret this completely, I wasted a couple years him hawing about doing it.

Then I bit the bullet and jumped right in. I really enjoyed this program and my only complaint would be the wait time for the CPNE. From the time I applied to the time I tested was 10 months. Everyone in my CPNE group was pretty much the same. I did not call for cancellations though.

Now for those of you who think they don't have the time to do it. I'd just like to tell you some of those things that took place during my time in the program.

My son's mother and I broke up. This was devastating to me. I worked 50 hours a week through most of it. I was my son's primary caregiver, his mother was involved, but I definitely doing the bulk. I moved across state to his mother's hometown where I knew no one. I changed jobs twice. My grandfather died. I dealt with a litany of family issues that were very stressful and time consuming. My dog died. During the last month of prepping for the CPNE my internet went out the cable company took their sweet ass time trying to fix it, then my computer broke.

So I'd just like to say, it is 100% doable, but it does take some sacrifice, but it is worth it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Home Health, Hospice, Med-Surg.

Congratulations on your accomplishment! I am thinking about signing up and your post was really uplifting. Did you take all the classes through EC? Did you Clep any classes? And Lastly what materials did you use to study? Just trying to better understand the process :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I had a fair amount of college completed prior to this, but my science classes were too old, so i retook AP and Micro with excelsior. I cleped sociology. For all the theory classes i used sg101 and the practice exams which was enough. For the CPNE I used Sheri Taylor's ATL Clinical Workshop | Onsite and Online CPNE Workshop. i did the online.option which was great. Also, for theory I did all credit by exam.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Congrats on passing!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in EMT since 92, Paramedic since 97, RN and PHRN 2021.

I second what the OP said about this being doable. I am currently enrolled and am taking A&P1 and a humanities class this spring 1 semester and will finish up all of my Gen Ed class in the spring 2 with A&P 2 and Microbiology. Once I am done the classes portion I will take the test out option for the nursing theory credits. If for some reason I have a super difficult time passing the theory tests I will switch back and take the classes for the nursing portion, may take longer, but i am dedicated.

This way of learning is not for everyone. But for those that can handle this it is awesome.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Congrats! Thanks! This is inspiring! I just started the program myself.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment