College Network/Excelsior Advice

rb466 · May 22, 2012

Katelyn

I just passed my RN boards, I attended Excelsior. Don't look at the big picture it is too overwhelming to do yourself. It is just one class. It took me about 5 years. I took summers and holidays off. Having 3 children and working full time managing a 60 bed unit, I had my plate full before I started. I wanted to do it though. So, I would say I am taking this one class. Before, I knew it a few were done. Just stay focused on the one class theory. It works! When all is said and done, I have no idea how I did it but I did one class at a time, you can do it. The end result is so worth it. Loving my increase in salary. You will too

ts41 · May 22, 2012

Hi,

I am just getting ready to take myfirst test through College Network at the end of the month. I have taken my core classes already through a College, so I will be taking only the first two test thru college network then I will transition to excelsior. I need to know is it a safe way to go thru excelsior. I went to a webpage that was really downing the College Network and saying that it was a scam. I am really concerned about that. Everyone on that website that posted comments stated that they were a rip off. I signed a consent with them years ago and paid them off, but I quit. So now, they sent me all the modules I need for nothing b/c they said it was a life-time guarentee. Well really not free. Some people are talking about taking college network to court. They said the material they provide for you is not on the test and they are having a hard time passing the test. I will only be with them for a short time. What advice can u give me.

KassieLPN2RN · May 22, 2012

Actually - You could have went directly through Excelsior and saved yourself quite a bit. The College Network overrates themselves, their material is not as good as it should be for the price and it's just cheaper to buy the real textbooks and go directly through Excelsior. The college network is a publisher - they do not grant ANY credits or degrees, they sell study guides, period. And you can get really good study guides for $12 from studygroup101 and do just as well or better on your exams. Pick up the recommended textbooks on AMazon for $5-10 each and you've spent less than $25 for your whole course (except for the exam fee of course). IMHO :cool:

malenurseFl · May 23, 2012

I'd heard that the college network was overcharging everyone on the online programs. I'm in talks with Excelsior directly also. The idea of an online transition makes me nervous too. However, I live in a one college area. Its very difficult to get accepted since its the only one. Did you get a list of the required books? I don't know what to buy either.

VioletKaliLPN, LPN · May 23, 2012

Excelsior is a COLLEGE, and "the college network" is an overpriced pubishing company that lures students into believing that they need to use their services in order to use Excelsior college.

You do not need the college network, it adds thousands of dollars in costs to an educational program that is not very expensive at all by itself.

Go DIRECTLY through Excelsior college. They give you the syllabus, list of books you will need, etc. They give you everything you need in order to succeed.

NurseTrishaH · Jun 1, 2012

I am also in North Carolina, enrolled in Excelsior College LPN to RN program. I am using The College Network material to study with. So far I have taken 2 exams and got A's on both of them. I do not regret using TCN material because it is so much easier for me to find time during the day to study small sections in a binder rather than several chapters out of 3 different textbooks. Yes it is expensive, but it works well for me. It is ultimately my responsibility to know all the material, so I double check with Excelsior's Content guide for the exams to make sure I have covered everything.

I live in Princeton, NC - where are you?

adorris · Jun 10, 2012

I would be grateful for any information anyone can give me. I am enrolled with college network and am studying my first class Nurse Transition. I guess I over analyze posts I have seen and they have scared me absolutely to death!!!! I have so much school burn out which is not helping my motivation. I feel so overwelmed by the information in front of me. It doesnt help that I was in a lpn to rn program here where I live in NC, dropped out the last semester of the program because of the stress with the program and the bomb shells dropped in my personal life. The expense also was getting beyond what I was able to afford I had to work 3rd shift full time just to afford tuition and gas. The program was scattered across 6 counties and about 100 miles. NC has now since archived that lpn-rn program. There is no bridge program for lpn-rn's in NC anymore, you have to take the entire RN program over. I would not be able to afford that and from the mental breakdown I had the last time I dont think I could do it, unless I stopeed working which is out of the question. I am so depressed and scared. Im looking to this forum to see if anyone has any logical information for me, that may be in a similar situation as me.
Many blessings to each of you,
Katelyn

Hello! I am graduating in December from an LPN program here in NC. I live in Raleigh. I am not sure if you were just talking about where you were from in NC, but there are multiple places in NC you can do the LPN-RN program. Wake Tech, Durham Tech are two that are around my area. Also there is an LPN-BSN program at Winston Salem State University. I do not believe that ALL community colleges in NC have done away with the bridge program of LPN-RN because many places are requiring their LPNs to go back to school for their RN. I hope this helps! Good luck and you can do it!

Fl85tig · Jun 23, 2012

I have been an LPN for a little over 2 years and wanted to do Rn. I can't afford to stop working for another 16 months for a traditional program so I am doing TCN with Excelsior. The posts are a little scary! My first class I passed with a 71, which I graduated top 3 of my LPN program. I heard the final clinical was a bear, it's more expensive, but right now my time is more valuable. I feel like I am stuck in this now, cuz I can't get out of the contract. So any suggestions? I like the one class at a time idea. Can anyone tell me exactly what is done at excelsiors clinicals? Thx.

maggie1990 · Jul 17, 2012

Hi,

I spoke to a college network rep yesterday and he informed me that their module books condense Excelsior's list of books (which he said was huge) and focuses it to the tests you have to take. I'd rather go through excelsior, but the draw to TCN is that its modules take the work out of going through all of Excelsior's list of books to get. I signed up for TCN but am thinking of dropping it. I'm getting scared too!

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Jul 17, 2012

From the Excelsior College website regarding using Test Prep companies like The College Network: About Test Preparation Services - excelsior.edu

The list of books is not huge. You can even use some of your nursing books from your PN program. Many books can be found as an eBook or purchased used for a fraction of the course. There are some who have posted that the TCN study guides are not consistent with the material on the EC exams. EC gives you a free study guide with resources and sample questions to help you to be successful with the exam.

Those who are filing complaints against TCN are mostly people who did not realize what they were signing (contract) plus a loan, did not realize the total cost, failed to complete the courses and/or take exams, dropped the program. Some people like the study guides, but either way you need to be a motivated independent learner to be successful in ANY distance or online education program. Only you can decide if it is worthwhile for your learning style.

You only have 3 days to withdraw from the legally binding contract; be certain to follow the exact instructions in the termination clause and create a paper trail (such as send the written notification by certified or registered mail) if that is the decision you make.

Good luck in your educational endeavors.

Nursynursemn · Jul 18, 2012

The College Network did me NO FAVORS. I was totally unaware of what I was getting into. They basically give you book and tell you to read them and then you go take the tests. It is a big joke. I rescinded my application w/in the three days, but now they are sending lawyers after me for the money- $6900!! I never even used the program! They are talking about garnishing my wages. I am reporting them and the attorney's they sicked on me to the Attorney General's office of my state. I am so irritated. Know what you are getting into first. These are not (or it was not) like taking an online class through a college. It is a joke. Please look carefully at the program and give yourself a lot of time to really, really think about it before you sign anything.