Currently Enrolled Excelsior Students

Nursing Students Online Learning

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This is not really an informative thread I guess, but here it goes. I have been a member her for quite a few years, I think my profile says 2004, but it was before that b/c I was a member here before that but I forgot my old username. And, eventhough I have quite a few issues with it AN, is wat led me to my current path, at Excelsior. Before AN I don't think I had ever even heard of EC.

Anyway, to my point, in all of the time I spent here I've seen a lot of distance students come and go. Some,some stayed at EC but just faded away from ere, some just graduated and left the DL board (CONGRATS to all of them btw), some graduated and left AN completely, and some dropped out and choose a different path and left AN. This also goes for the other DL programs, like Deaconess.

Now, I spend a lot of time just coming to the board and looking. Most of the time I don't have the time to post, sometimes I just like to observe. But, I've noticed that I just don't see the types of posts tat I used to. Or maybe it's just me.

Okay, now really on to my point. I know that this at times can make students feel alone (I know I do). I mean I don't anyone to study with, but just "knowing" who your classmates are is nice. Now there is always EPN for EC students, but I personally don't care for it much (too much to deal with with pop ups and all), and therefore, don't go on it unless I'm am looking for a specific answer (which I usually don't find).

So this thread is just for us all to chime in, so everyone knows they are not alone in our own element of AN so to speak.

I encourage everyone of us to chime in and keep everyone aware of your progress every now and then.

I have been considering ISU for the LPN-BSN program, but as I am seeing this thread, I am really wondering if I should do LPN-RN first through excelsior. If I have no pre-req's, should I do my clep tests on my own before signing up with excelsior? I want to avoid using TCN at all costs.

Specializes in Geriaterics, RN Student.
I worked as a CNA since 96, and graduated in 04 from an LPN program. I enrolled in EC in July of 07 and so far I've taken Ethics, A & P, College writing, NC1, and NC7. I am currently working on NC 3, which I have scheduled for April. I hope to be done with the Nursing exams by August and get in my application for the CPNE so I can take it in the spring of 09. I live in PA and don't want to worry about Northeastern winters and the snowstorms. That's an added stress I don't need on top of the CPNE.

I work full time nights in long term care, that job was a real inspiration for me in deciding to go on for my RN, because I do not want to be doing this for another 10 years. I love nursing, but I have been in LTC forever, and it's time for a change.

There are many on this board that have been an inspiration to me and a source of invaluable information that has saved me time and money. I work with a girl also going through EC by way of the TCN, and her experiences have been much more frustrating. She keeps asking me where I get all this info, and I keep telling her she needs to go to this site, but she is very busy, with work and children. For me I think EC is a great oppurtunity, one I am grateful for, since I can keep my full time status, which I need right now.

I too am guilty of surfing this site without stopping to post, and sometimes that word of encouragement or tidbit of info you really needed can make all the difference. Feeling alone while attending EC is a drawback, and allnurses helps alleviate that.

Lisa

I researched the college network if that is what you are talking about and from what I understand they don't have the clinical profeciency exam that excelsior requires. I also don't remember them being accepted by my state's board of nursing. The only distance program that Washington / Montana (the state I am planning on moving to) accepts is Excelsior. They have an excellent rep with hospitals and care facilities and have a rep for very high standards. That is just my personal opinion based on several years of searching for what I really thought was the best program. Excelsior also offers BSN and master's programs, if that is where you are headed.

Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
I researched the college network if that is what you are talking about and from what I understand they don't have the clinical profeciency exam that excelsior requires. I also don't remember them being accepted by my state's board of nursing.

Yep -- The College Network (TCN) is only a publishing company and doesn't actually grant degrees; if you sign up with TCN, you eventually have to enroll with EC and pay them moola as well. Double whammy! But some people do have to use TCN materials if they are doing an LPN-BSN through ISU. The TCN materials are pretty good, but they're not required for EC.

I have been considering ISU for the LPN-BSN program, but as I am seeing this thread, I am really wondering if I should do LPN-RN first through excelsior. If I have no pre-req's, should I do my clep tests on my own before signing up with excelsior? I want to avoid using TCN at all costs.

Lunah - you seem to have a lot of the answers for EC, can you answer this for me? I'm not sure where to start if I use EC without TCN. Thanks in advance.

It so funny how everyone seems to think you have to go through The College Network for Excelsior without going direct to the source and enrolling. www.excelsior.edu. But I see it now. TCN advertises sooooooo heavily making you almost feel that you HAVE to go through them.

Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
Lunah - you seem to have a lot of the answers for EC, can you answer this for me? I'm not sure where to start if I use EC without TCN. Thanks in advance.

The first thing I'd do is apply with EC and see which classes you really need and where they'll grant you credit. The application fee is $75, but that way they'll review your transcripts and you'll know exactly what you need for your degree. Then you can do CLEPs/gen. eds. and the first nursing exam (Essentials of Nursing Care: Health Safety) before paying your enrollment fee.

I am currently in the same situation you were in- I bought all of my books and now need to get motivated to start- I have had them for 3 yrs now- I had my son and got busy with life and I really wan tto do it now more than ever. I have to take the Nursing 1-8 and 2 science CLEP tests and then the clinical to then take the NCLEX-RN, and seeing that someone else had a similiar situation is making me want to start right now!:nurse:

Hello to all EC students!

I took the NC1 in December and am finally getting back to study mode. Just scheduled NC3. I went straight to EC, no need to give The College Network my money. If you download the EC outlines, pay the $60 for the practice exams and look at Saunders NCLEX book you really dont

need to buy much else. Follow the EC outline, read the chapters in the syllabus, take Practice exam 1 and see where you are at. If you need to buff up on a subject, (in my case community nursing in NC3), then re-study that info. Then take the 2nd practice exam ( you get 2 for the $60) and if you are scoring B or better go take the exam!!

Good luck to all. KEEP POSTING!!!!

PS- I am an LPN in LTC, with a BA in another field, mom of teen boy and soon to be divorced owner of a McMansion that I can't sell lol.

Specializes in Geriaterics, RN Student.

Do you NC pros have suggestions for studying. I am reading posts where its taken 3-4 weeks. I am reading chapters out of those dang books and its taking forever, and god knows I won't remember it all. Any studying suggestions?

Specializes in pulm/cardiology pcu, surgical onc.
Do you NC pros have suggestions for studying. I am reading posts where its taken 3-4 weeks. I am reading chapters out of those dang books and its taking forever, and god knows I won't remember it all. Any studying suggestions?

In my opinion it's impossible to even try and know everything they want you to -unless you really don't have a life(like kids,family,job,etc).

1. I take a practice exam

2. see where I'm weak or unsure about something

3. take note of important meds/treatments etc of specific illnesses/diseases

4. take the 2nd practice exam

5. go over the questions that I missed since they may be seen again on the exam

It may not be a great way to study but it's been working for me! I've had 15 yrs exp in healthcare and I think that's the only thing that's saved me. I'm surprised every time I finish an exam b/c I think for sure I've bombed but I've gotten A's & B's. You have to have some confidence in yourself also, if you've gone thru LPN/EMT/RT training you've already learned a lot of valuable skills/critical thinking etc that can be utilized with this program.

Good luck to you!

Specializes in LTC and MED-SURG.

Hi.

My story is I graduated from LPN school in March of 2006. Took and passed NCLEX May 2006. Started first (1 week) and second job in LTC June 2006. Work now on a hosp med-surg unit for about 5 mos.

I applied to Excelsior in August 2006. Got credit for some previous college work and CLEP exam. I've taken A&P, Microbiology, and NC-1. Since I've not enrolled yet, I'm under the new system (that I don't fully understand)

I know I have 6 of the new exams to take, plus the 3-part assimilation???, and Info Literacy class before CPNE. I really hope to finish all that in the next six months or less. Reading some of your posts gives me the confidence to do it.

I was really scared to take the A&P and Micro Exams and I procrastinated. I waited until 2 days before my time would expire to take Micro. I really want to get this accomplished because there are so many more opportunites for an RN than LPN in line with what I personally want to do.

I will keep looking her for encouragement and hopefully to encourage.

MY:twocents::wink2:

All-As an LPN for 14 years, I have worked in LTC, public health and currently manage an Internal medicine practice. Do you feel that this clinical experience will be right for CPNE? Or do I need to work on procedures more? I am not IV certified but am familiar with how to do it. Would it be wise for me to take an IV certification class for this as well?

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