Are all Excelsior Grads "Super Smart" ?

RNandRRT · Dec 13, 2009

Yes. As an excelsior grad, I can tell you that we are all super smart. Thanks for noticing! :up:

sweetneek1 · Jan 3, 2010

The wait depends on the testing center you chose,but the average time now is four months,faster if you request a cancellation

Lisa1203 · Jan 14, 2010

I will be over my LPN at a local college this Summer and am really considering Excelsior for my RN year. There are currently about 5 of us interested in doing this together. My questions are...
Are you guys Rocket Scientists?
Do only the smartest of the smart make it through and then pass?
If local college LPN school was fine, will I be able to do this?
What percentage of students who start, finish and pass boards?
Can someone give me an idea of how many books and tests that I may have to go through if I have all my pre reqs and start my RN year?
How many hours give or take may I have to study and prepare for each unit or module?
Do you ever take more than 1 course at a time?
Is there a comprehensive final, other that the CPNE?
Can I get this info somewhere?
I believe that I will be fine studying at home, especially with study guides. I am ready to donate maye 5 hours per day to the courses. I would just like to feel as though can do this before giving up my spot in the second year RN program. Thank You All, Doug

Hi - I completed all the nursing exams at Excelsior - A's in all of them. (by the way - this does not matter - truthfully you become a nurse with all C's as well - unlless of course you wish to pursue more education where grades may matter) Just studying for the CPNE & taking a computer class. I'm no genius - but did very very well in LPN school in my mid-30's. On a personal level, any younger & I would not have had it in me to not only do as well in LPN school - but DEFINATELY not excelsior - I think maturity is a major component as well.All of the posts that state you need to be very self-motivated & dedicated are correct. It's very do-able - but only if you really really want to do this. I actually can not speak of the final CPNE yet - i'm scared to death of it - as i have not taken it yet. I've heard the pass rate is highest for the LPN's (as opposed to RT's, paramedics, etc.) who take it. You can take it up to 3 times. IMHO if you can go the traditional route - do so - otherwise if you have no other option (work, kids, etc.) this is a GREAT way to go.

kdsharp · Jan 14, 2010

I did it all in 2 years & 1 month, including CPNE. I am now 45. I was 38 when I went through the LPN program. I agree that age/maturity helped but only because I wanted to get it done yesterday, knowing the value of time, and wishing I'd done it all when I was younger. I don't think you have to be super smart, but you do have to be super motivated. It can be demanding, and it's easy to put it off when you don't have to go to a traditional classroom. You are your teacher.

I think the CPNE while scary, is very do-able, it's all about being prepared and having ALL critical elements memorized, and being in control. You have 2-1/2 hours for each patient to get done what EC requires in that situation, and it's easy to lose control. I passed, first try, and you wouldn't believe me if I told you what had taken place in my personal life as I tried to prepare for it. There are a lot of free & inexpensive options for preparing, and alot of people, like me, willing to help you get it done!

Good luck to everybody!

Boonce1 · Apr 5, 2010

I went to excelsior finished in 1 years time. Took the CPNE once with no repeats. I started my BSN right after ( finished in 8 months with chamberlain college) and I am about to start the MSN FNP program. Excelsior CPNE was not that bad you just have to stay focused and practice your skills.

acelawler · May 28, 2010

I am graduating from Excelsior next month. A short version response to your questions. You do not need to be a superBrain, but you need determination and grit. I had some problems with the classes, but it was minimal. The CPNE is another story. I had to take it three times, the maximum allowed. During my first and second try, only one student passed the test. On my last attempt, I was the only one to pass. As you can see, the CPNE is no easy task. I memorized my grids for each critical task... that was the easy part. Performing under the pressure and strictness of the test is the problem. Some students failed the first part of the test, simulated labs, because of simple errors probably from the pressure. I failed my first two because of paperwork errors

RetrieverGirl, BSN, RN · May 28, 2010

Actually, Missouri is fine with EC. This is a pretty good list:
http://www.istudysmart.com/content.asp?cid=70
As to your other questions, hit https://www.excelsior.edu/Excelsior_College/Publications_Before_Login and download "How much will your Excelsior College Associate Degree in Nursing cost," the nursing viewbook, and the nursing catalog. I'm not sure if all the statistics are in there, but they might be. I do know that EC grads have a higher-than-average NCLEX-RN pass rate.
As far as other states accepting EC if you've had some experience, the answer is no, they won't always accept you anyway. There are states where I will never be able to work, as things stand now. EC always seems to be working for acceptance, so things can change.
If you have access to a traditional program, I'd go that route. EC is a great alternative for those of us who couldn't/can't do traditional school for one reason or another. Just my opinion, of course. Good luck!

I'm not sure how to respond in provate to your message, but I am interested in what the CPNE clinical exam entails? I have completed 50% or more of my clinical time in the ADN program I was enrolled in and we went over everything but trach care. What state did you take this exam? I will be taking it in Ohio.

Editorial Team / Moderator · May 28, 2010

I'm not sure how to respond in provate to your message, but I am interested in what the CPNE clinical exam entails? I have completed 50% or more of my clinical time in the ADN program I was enrolled in and we went over everything but trach care. What state did you take this exam? I will be taking it in Ohio.

I posted a description here: ISU VS. Excelsior - Page 2- Nursing for Nurses

I did my CPNE in Mansfield, Ohio.

acelawler · May 28, 2010

I took my CPNE in Savannah. My patients were 16 year old with Diabetic Ketoacidosis, 50 year old with abdominal Resection and another adult with amputation of the right foot. My med pass was lovenox injection, and B/P meds. The hardest thing about my test was staying focused and not waisting time doing extra stuff that was not assigned. It was hard for me to be a student, NOT a LPN. I strogly suggest that when you are given your paperwork, take the time to Highlight in yellow, all areas that must be filled out. I flunked one PCS because I left an area blank. Practice at home. I got a CPNE DVD on ebay for a lot cheaper than the school. It shows the CPNE exactly as it is. That helped me greatly. As for the skill labs, I also got a kit that had the wound, and supplies off of ebay. That too was very helpful.

RetrieverGirl, BSN, RN · May 28, 2010

To Lunah: Do you mix any meds or use carbo jets, or ampules for the skills test? And I'm not sure what you mean about using a stethoscope for fluid management with IVs. :confused: That is something I never learned in school. Fortunately I still have a lot of my kits left from the ADN program to practice. It doesn't sound as bad as I thought. We had to do skills tests and nail critical points as well during a given time limit. The only downside is we didn't do them all in one weekend!!! Do you remember it taking a long time in between registering for your CPNE? How long is the clinical day? I mean, do you do shifts on the hospital floor? Are you on different units on each day? I find your information to be very helpful to me. :yeah: I really wanted to know this program inside and out before I committed myself to something foreign to me. The admissions counselors are telling me different things. It really peeves me that I can't speak to a nursing advisor until I am an actual student!!! :devil: However, there are 2 exams that I can take before becoming a student and I plan on doing so this summer. :idea: I want to purchase a practice exam and skim some of my material to see how I do. I really want to get through this as quickly as possible!!! They said my transcripts would take 6 weeks to transfer so I am not messing around.

Editorial Team / Moderator · May 28, 2010

To Lunah: Do you mix any meds or use carbo jets, or ampules for the skills test? And I'm not sure what you mean about using a stethoscope for fluid management with IVs.

Please re-read. I said, "Overriding and required areas of care include demonstrating caring, ensuring physical safety at all times, not placing the patient in emotional jeopardy, evaluating mobility, checking a set of vitals to include manual BPs that must be within a small amount of what the clinical examiner gets (you're using a double-headed teaching stethoscope for BPs, apical pulses, lung sounds, etc.), and fluid management (checking IV sites, infusing fluids, etc.)." So you are using a teaching stethoscope for vitals, and you will also be assigned fluid management. Two separate things.

StrawberryBanana · Jun 10, 2010

Am I completely crazy to be giving up a brick and mortar school for Excelsior College? I don't feel like I fit the full-time working Mom mold, etc.

I will not be working during this program, and I do not have an kids or obligations. However, the college I previously attended was nothing short of a nightmare. On top of that, it cost $21,000 PLUS materials, per 11 months.

The environment was just so toxic and disgusting. Staff and students were corrupt..but most of all...staff! Perhaps I am sensitive, but I just felt like it wasn't worth my health or sanity and Excelsior seemed like the answer to my prayers.

I am from California, but I live in New York and I heard that upstate hires EC grads and even welcomes them. I hope I'm making the right choice. I have just gotten nothing but good vibes about this college and my decision. I just feel, almost, a little guilty that I'm giving up a spot in a brick and mortar school and going to Excelsior instead of "toughing it out". And by toughing it out, I mean, putting up with the ghetto drama at my soon-to-be old school.

I'm a little apprehensive. I have never worked as a nurse and my clinical rotations consisted of some vitals and med passing....hardly much. ONCE in a blue moon we did hands on in class...but mostly listened to the crazy instructors babble on and try to organize their lesson. The CPNE & California licensure are the only thing that worry me..but not the end of the world.Silly, I suppose.