any colleges that accept excelsior credits??

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zeiqui

9 Posts

Where are you getting this "no grades" information? My transcripts have grades on them. I also had a GPA (a pretty decent one, too). I think you may have received some misinformation where EC is concerned.

A lot of nurses tested out of nursing classes, which are listed as p/f. these pass/fail classes cannot be used to transfer credits. and with the 8 credit exam (which is a test, non-transferable for credit, and a P/F, also non-transferable), nurses do not often meet the minimum amount of nursing credits to get into a bridge or completion program. Also, the GPA's can then adjusted if the original GPA is based on p/f or test credits.

Again, for people earning BSN, this is a non-factor. But for people getting associates degree, it should be known as an issue, and considered when attending a school.

I can simply tell you people have not been able to get into some schools due to requirements not met through an EC program (the more you test out of, the less you may be able to use later).

Just wanted to clarify academically, what issues you might run into.

Editorial Team / Moderator

Lunah, MSN, RN

14 Articles; 13,766 Posts

Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Again, you are incorrect -- the nursing exams in EC's program are not pass/fail. Their information literacy course is pass/fail, as is the clinical exam; however, the remainder of EC's ADN courses do result in actual grades, and students have a GPA. If you are telling people that EC's ADN is a pass/fail program, you are disseminating information that is false.

Seriously. My transcripts have grades. I can see why schools wouldn't accept programs without grades, but EC is not such a program.

As an EC grad, I was accepted into three different accredited RN-BSN programs.

zeiqui

9 Posts

Again, you are incorrect -- the nursing exams in EC's program are not pass/fail. Their information literacy course is pass/fail, as is the clinical exam; however, the remainder of EC's ADN courses do result in actual grades, and students have a GPA. If you are telling people that EC's ADN is a pass/fail program, you are disseminating information that is false.

Seriously. My transcripts have grades. I can see why schools wouldn't accept programs without grades, but EC is not such a program.

As an EC grad, I was accepted into three different accredited RN-BSN programs.

I didn't say the whole program was pass/fail, just that some classes/exams taken are. and any exam taken for credit do not count as transfer.

Some schools do accept all the credits, but as I said before, those same schools can be risking accreditation. I am not calling you a liar, and I hope that's not what you were taking away from our conversation.

the fact is, EC students do encounter some issues in transferring into programs due to clack of standard grade credits. Many programs require 32 semester hours or 50 quarter credit hours of nursing courses to be enrolled in programs. In this case, minus the 8 credits for the exam (a pass/fail grade as well), EC associate nurses would not qualify for said program. You may have grades, but not all EC nurses have enough nursing credits in graded classes to transfer into some programs.

There are other programs and places to earn an associates that have no issue transferring credits into a program. It CAN be an issue. It might not ALWAYS be an issue, as you have talked about 3 schools.

I'm still curious which schools they were.

Editorial Team / Moderator

Lunah, MSN, RN

14 Articles; 13,766 Posts

Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
I'm still curious which schools they were.

Sorry, I left that out of my last post -- I applied to and was accepted by Chamberlain, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, and Slippery Rock University (PA). They made my short list; there were several programs I considered. (As many here know ... I shared my spreadsheet of potential programs, for I am a geek. :D)

A good friend of mine completed his MSN/FNP through Graceland University, and he entered that program with his ADN from EC.

I see what you're saying about p/f, and I imagine it might be the same if situation if someone took too many CLEPs. However, I objected to this statement, which is false because those particular classes are not p/f:

A lot of nurses tested out of nursing classes, which are listed as p/f.

On my transcripts, the only classes that are p/f are Information Literacy and the clinical exam. The rest are graded. Whoops, I lied ... I took two CLEPs, too -- Introductory Sociology and Human Growth & Development. However, everything else, from A&P to Micro and all the nursing exams, have grades attached.

However, one thing that does become an issue for future schools (and we here in the Distance Learning forum are well aware of it) is that students often have to repeat A&P and Micro if they took the EC exam, but not because it was p/f (they are both graded exams), but because it was an exam without a lab. A lot of EC students do their sciences at local community colleges for that very reason.

Does it make a difference that I had 206 credits when I finished EC's ADN? (Yes, really ... I know, it's a crazy number.)

SLCRN

97 Posts

Specializes in LTC,acute care, and corrections.

As a new grad from EC as of 08/10 & passing my Nclex the first time, because EC prepares you well! I applied to 3 brick & mortar schools, UMDNJ accelerated BSN, Thomas Edison State College, & Kean University & was accepted at ALL. After transcript evaluation the only requirements from ALL were my nursing courses no gen ed, so NOOO problem transferring gen ed courses such as micro & psych that I tested out of @ EC as well & passed!!! Lunah is correct, my official & unofficial transcripts list my grades & gpa.

zeiqui

9 Posts

As a new grad from EC as of 08/10 & passing my Nclex the first time, because EC prepares you well! I applied to 3 brick & mortar schools, UMDNJ accelerated BSN, Thomas Edison State College, & Kean University & was accepted at ALL. After transcript evaluation the only requirements from ALL were my nursing courses no gen ed, so NOOO problem transferring gen ed courses such as micro & psych that I tested out of @ EC as well & passed!!! Lunah is correct, my official & unofficial transcripts list my grades & gpa.

As I said before, and I will repeat, some schools may accept them, but are risking accreditation with it. If they take non-wet labs, that can be a professional accreditation issue, and for p/f grades from classes ro exams, it can be a regional accreditation issue. Just cause they do, doesn't mean they are supposed to. that's why capital hill is having a hissy fit over some schools and their disreputable practices.

My post is simply a warning to be aware of issues you may face, that graduates from other programs do not have to deal with.

zeiqui

9 Posts

Sorry, I left that out of my last post -- I applied to and was accepted by Chamberlain, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, and Slippery Rock University (PA). They made my short list; there were several programs I considered. (As many here know ... I shared my spreadsheet of potential programs, for I am a geek. :D)

A good friend of mine completed his MSN/FNP through Graceland University, and he entered that program with his ADN from EC.

I see what you're saying about p/f, and I imagine it might be the same if situation if someone took too many CLEPs. However, I objected to this statement, which is false because those particular classes are not p/f:

On my transcripts, the only classes that are p/f are Information Literacy and the clinical exam. The rest are graded. Whoops, I lied ... I took two CLEPs, too -- Introductory Sociology and Human Growth & Development. However, everything else, from A&P to Micro and all the nursing exams, have grades attached.

However, one thing that does become an issue for future schools (and we here in the Distance Learning forum are well aware of it) is that students often have to repeat A&P and Micro if they took the EC exam, but not because it was p/f (they are both graded exams), but because it was an exam without a lab. A lot of EC students do their sciences at local community colleges for that very reason.

Does it make a difference that I had 206 credits when I finished EC's ADN? (Yes, really ... I know, it's a crazy number.)

first, yes, 206 is nuts, but that's good to hear.

secondly, I have seen transcripts (and I can't go any further than that, so don't ask for any more verification), which had about 50% of classes tested out of. All were not usable for credit. I am glad you took the way you did, it sounds like you didn't try to skip crazy corners. But for people planning to test out through a testing process OTHER THAN CLEP, you'll be in for a bumpy ride.

CLEP's are fine as long as you can still get the original transcript from CLEP, they count just fine. Just not the exams for credit from EC are accepted at all colleges.

the micro and A&P would have an issue both because they are P/F and exams. That is if the labs had been wet. That is often the first problem with online micro and A&P courses for other schools.

BTW, I am not bashing online schooling. I work for an online school who has the recognition as a great program. I do believe though that labs should be labs, and either you do them on site, or a highly comprehensive program with lab tools at a remote location. But A&P and Micro online may never become the usual.

Editorial Team / Moderator

Lunah, MSN, RN

14 Articles; 13,766 Posts

Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Yep, 206 credits, and that was before the BSN (additional 32) ... I refer to my three Associates degrees as my "Masters in Indecision." :)

We face a lot of issues as EC grads in the first place ... we'll just add this to the pile. ;) I appreciate the clarification. I did end up going with Chamberlain for the RN-BSN, and graduated in June. I'm a fan of online learning. I didn't think you were bashing it at all, especially if that's who pays your bills. :D

zeiqui

9 Posts

yeah, I am glad I work for the company I do. they don't spend 10 million dollars a year in advertising ( you know who you are). so our students don't pay for those commercials.

How ever, we are the next largest online nursing program, and getting there through word of mouth is AWESOME! I work for, and attend the school, I know we deliver on what we tell people.

let me clarify, i am not in NURSING, but a different field. Bless your souls I couldn't be a nurse, though I was a lifeguard for 15 years, if that counts. :devil:

have a good one :)

dawn75RN

1 Post

I am a graduate of Excelsior's RN program and am having difficulty transferring credits to a BSN program. Two of the colleges I applied to in Oregon accepted me and then sent me letters stating that they did not know how to count the credits towards the BSN degree. They recommended that I contacted ACE to see if they can suggest how much credit each EC exam is worth.

I was so eager to get started and am now very disappointed.

If anyone knows of any school in Oregon or Washington that accepts EC credits please let me know! Thanks!

biancajay

2 Posts

I am currently in excelsiors lpn to adn program but I kind of want to get into a program that is accepted in all states since I might want to move to a state that doesn't recognize excelsior graduated nurses. Are there any colleges that transfer in excelsior students and accept the nursing courses taken? I'm ok if the A&P and micro aren't accepted as long as most of the nursing courses are. I would prefer an online program since I live in ohio. I know there is one college out there someone recommended a long time ago I just can't remember the name....
does any one know of NP schools that do accept EC credits ????and just to make sure EC does give grades not just credits even if you receive credit by examination???

biancajay

2 Posts

Do you know what Nurse practitioner schools accept EC BSN???

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