Excelsior College

Drysolong · Apr 5, 2006

Does anyone know if Excelsior College provides an adequate nursing education. It seems odd that you can recieve a nursing education online and still be able to gain the information you need to be a compitent nurse.
want2rn

You might want to perform a search using Excelsior College or check the Distance Learning Forum. There is quite a bit of information about Excelsior.

I'll give you my $0.02 though. I have just graduated LPN school and plan to enroll at Excelsior once I pass the boards. Excelsior is not an "online" school. You study textbooks, etc., and take proctored exams.

It doesn't seem "odd" to me to get a nursing education in non-traditional settings. I just received an education in a traditional classroom and clinical setting, where most of my "learning" still came from my own personal study and research. This is just what I expect to do at Excelsior.

There are other members more experienced and knowledgeable than I am that can give you more insight. Check out the resources mentioned above.

Sheri257 · Apr 6, 2006

It seems odd that you can recieve a nursing education online and still be able to gain the information you need to be a compitent nurse.

The state of California does not accept the Excelsior program anymore because it does not meet many of the state's education requirements.

The biggest problem the California BRN had with was the lack of clinical hours since, there are none in the Excelsior program. Only a two-day clinical exam that covers a limited amount of clinical material required by the board.

So ... I guess that tells you something. Other states do accept the Excelsior program but, California doesn't because the board didn't feel it adequately prepared students for nursing.

:typing

Drysolong · Apr 6, 2006

The state of California does not accept the Excelsior program anymore because it does not meet many of the state's education requirements.
The biggest problem the California BRN had with was the lack of clinical hours since, there are none in the Excelsior program. Only a two-day clinical exam that covers a limited amount of clinical material required by the board.
So ... I guess that tells you something. Other states do accept the Excelsior program but, California doesn't because the board didn't feel it adequately prepared students for nursing.
:typing

I don't want to start a rehash of this debate. But tell me, what are the "many" requirements that the Excelsior program doesn't meet? Also, does the fact that in order to enroll in Excelsior's program you have to be an LPN or a paramedic count as clinical experience?

See the letter from Excelsior posted below for viewpoint comparison.

https://www.excelsior.edu/pls/portal/docs/PAGE/EXCELSIOR_COLLEGE/PUBLICATIONS/OPEN_LETTER_CALIFORNIA_NURSING.PDF

EricJRN, MSN, RN · Apr 7, 2006

I don't want to start a rehash of this debate. But tell me, what are the "many" requirements that the Excelsior program doesn't meet?

Please, folks. Can we NOT go there again? It's been well established that there are two distinct sides to this issue, both of which contain some strong opinions and valid points. I think both sides can provide the OP with valuable information without resorting to attacking one another's positions or arguing over semantics. :deadhorse

Sheri257 · Apr 7, 2006

Please, folks. Can we NOT go there again? It's been well established that there are two distinct sides to this issue, both of which contain some strong opinions and valid points. I think both sides can provide the OP with valuable information without resorting to attacking one another's positions or arguing over semantics. :deadhorse

That's probably a good idea but ... you have a situation where Excelsior is the biggest advertiser on this board. So people, especially newbies, are going to constantly ask questions about it. Especially since there's bits and pieces scattered over a bunch of threads on the subject but no comprehensive source of information that would answer a lot of their questions.

Maybe the solution is to post a comprehensive backgrounder on the subject ... both pros and cons ... and make it a sticky in the distance learning forum.

:typing

EricJRN, MSN, RN · Apr 7, 2006

Maybe the solution is to post a comprehensive backgrounder on the subject ... both pros and cons ... and make it a sticky in the distance learning forum.

I think we're on to something!

suzanne4, RN · Apr 7, 2006

As requested, you now have a sticky..................

suzanne4, RN · Apr 7, 2006

Does anyone know if Excelsior College provides an adequate nursing education. It seems odd that you can recieve a nursing education online and still be able to gain the information you need to be a compitent nurse.
want2rn

You need at least an LPN or paramedic certification to use the program. Not sure if you have either of those.

Bozz · Apr 7, 2006

I am so confused with all the online information I get. SO I am just asking questions until I am confident that an on-line course is an acceptable way to earn a degree. Has anyone heard of The College Network? :confused:

EricJRN, MSN, RN · Apr 8, 2006

Has anyone heard of The College Network?

We have, but not everyone thinks it's a great idea to use them. You're going to be paying substantial fees to Excelsior anyway, so signing a contract with a publishing company for study guides will only add to the cost.

In most cases, you can buy EC's recommended textbooks and use them for several of the classes. Some people even check them out from the library and return them. There should be a ton of threads regarding Excelsior as well as The College Network on this site. Use the search function and you'll come up with a lot of info here.

Good luck!

NIRO · Oct 6, 2007

The college network is an organization that ONLY facilitates for Excelsior. They do not give you the ASN, Excelsior does. The CN charges you a whole bunch of $ to enroll, books, ect. while you could do this all yourself and save money.

Hope this helps!