Excelsior Exams, NOT Program

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Does anyone know how to get a school to accept an Excelsior College Exam? Or even if any of them are accepted anywhere? I just had a "fun" meeting with the head of the LPN/RN program at a local community college where he explained that they do not accept proficiency credit in any form except from CLEP (which, of course, does not have any nursing exams).

I read the info about Excelsior's programs. And aside from my not being qualified for admittance, it wouldn't work well for me because I'm in Illinois.

I find it ironic that Excelsior doesn't accept several of their own exams for their programs, but seems to have little advice on what schools DO accept them. What the heck are they for? Is our CC simply draconian or is this par for the course? Has anyone had them accepted as "transfer" credit?

By the way, I'm new here. As my O so cryptic username indicates, my name is Jake. I've already got a BA via distance learning (Thomas Edison State College, '06, Liberal Studies), so I'm used to looking for an alternate route. I'd say that I'm cautiously considering/investigating nursing after several people have recommended it. Other biographical info: I've been married for about two years now to a wonderful woman who is pregnant with our first child. I'm trying to find something more stable, flexible, and viable long-term than a customer support job.

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Searching Google after my previous post, I found this URL:

https://www.excelsior.edu/portal/page?_pageid=57,83221&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL

The irony is that the CC I mentioned above is listed as an accepting institution, which they most decidedly are not.

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I first became aware of Excelsior College back in 78 or 79 or so and have followed them ever since, trying on 2 occasions to obtain my nrsg degree from them. I have kept up w/their changes over the yrs. Your comments, I believe are probably statistically valid. Another school I attended accepted one of Excelsior's nrsg tests to satisfy an advanced placement credit decision (to be more precise, they required the test) however, the test was not one of their Nursing Concepts tests that they use for their (Excelsior) nrsg prog.

Excelsior has changed their own rules over the yrs, becoming more and more, "choosy" to use a phrase. I personally believe that they are bending to criticisms from the rest of the nrsg educ world that have successfully been limiting Excelsior thru the yrs. Too bad. It is too bad for someone like you who wants to use the credits in a specific nontrad manner, and too bad for the increasing number of people who are being excluded from Excelsior as the yrs go on. I have taken their battery of tests twice (the nrsg concepts tests) and that one other nrsg test as well as other standardized nrsg tests, and as far as I am concerned, a multiple choice testing basic nrsg knowledge is just that. Nobody is fooling anybody as to the suitability of the tests. It is a matter of territoriality, control, and money. Sorry this is such as long post, but thought I had something to put forward since I have seen the changes re Excelsior over going on 3 decades. Wish you luck in finding a way to achieve your educational/professional goals.

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Which CC is it? The list you referenced is a list of schools who have accepted ECE credits at some point, but it cautions that students must verify whether they are currently accepted by those schools. Also keep in mind that the general education exams may be more readily accepted at some schools than the nursing exams.

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Which CC is it? The list you referenced is a list of schools who have accepted ECE credits at some point, but it cautions that students must verify whether they are currently accepted by those schools. Also keep in mind that the general education exams may be more readily accepted at some schools than the nursing exams.

It's John A Logan College in Illinois.

Good point about it being just a list of schools that have accepted exams in the past. I think I missed that and was more going off of the "participating schools" bit immediately above the list. I assumed "participating" meant that they'd be at least aware of the exams.

Anyway, I guess it doesn't really matter. I went to the appropriate authority and he dismissed them out of hand. Alas. Maybe I'll look for another CC in the surrounding area that does accept them and see if I can get my clinicals through John A and my "theory" knowledge through a college that accepts the exams. But I shan't hold my breath.

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SirJake

If I am understanding your last post, you mention taking clinical at one school and theory at another. I do not think you will find this possible.

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SirJake

If I am understanding your last post, you mention taking clinical at one school and theory at another. I do not think you will find this possible.

OK. Thanks. I certainly wouldn't try it without being fairly certain that it would work, and my assumption is that it wouldn't work, but it doesn't hurt to look into options.

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Specializes in Certified Diabetes Educator.

First, Excelsior doesn't have an LPN/LVN program. You must already be licensed as an LPN/LVN or a Paramedic or a Respiratory Therapist to get into the Asso Degree RN program. Excelsior also assumes that you are working in your field and have experience and knowledge and the NC tests are simply a way of proving that knowledge. The CPNE is a way of proving that you have the minimum skills to be a RN. Whether one agrees or disagrees that these tests prove anything is subjective, but many a person has failed at the Excelsior program.

Since you already have BA, you should be looking into a fast track RN program that would use your BA general education credits and allow you to complete a BSN in about 2 years. Because you don't have any experience nursing, you need to look into a traditional program where you get the benefit of clinicals.

Nursing is not a field to go into just because you want something more stable and flexible. It is a challenging profession and it is in a whirlwind of change right now and where that change will stop, who knows. Salaries are stagnant. Patient loads are unreasonable. Lawsuits plentiful and many hospitals now have the patient sign upon admittance that the hospital can't be sued for damages---leaving the nurse and possibly the doctor to take the hit. Many of the jobs are night shift and some positions now require that you be flexible to work any shift needed and be on call. Some schedules are carved in stone. The point is that you need to make sure that you really want to be a nurse and not pick a profession just because you think it is better than what you are doing now.

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Thanks, Mudwoman. It seems like you missed several key points of my posts (I had stated that I'm not qualified for Excelsior, for instance), but I assume you meant well, so thanks anyway.

I'll look into the fast-track option you mentioned.

I should say as well... I understand that nursing is not a bed of roses. Saying that I need something more flexible and stable does not mean that I'm assuming that it's the perfect job. As I stated earlier in the post, I am "cautiously considering/investigating" nursing. I'm not hell-bent on it and trying to find a way to "fake" my way into it. I'll take your comments about the profession into consideration.

Thanks again.

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Specializes in Certified Diabetes Educator.
Thanks, Mudwoman. It seems like you missed several key points of my posts (I had stated that I'm not qualified for Excelsior, for instance), but I assume you meant well, so thanks anyway.

I'll look into the fast-track option you mentioned.

I should say as well... I understand that nursing is not a bed of roses. Saying that I need something more flexible and stable does not mean that I'm assuming that it's the perfect job. As I stated earlier in the post, I am "cautiously considering/investigating" nursing. I'm not hell-bent on it and trying to find a way to "fake" my way into it. I'll take your comments about the profession into consideration.

Thanks again.

Yes, I meant well, and by no means meant to insult you. I was just trying to justify to you why Excelsior exams are most likely not used elsewhere. With your BA, you would be crazy to do the LPN program. You can make twice the money with an RN and with your degree, it shouldn't take you much longer at all to do an accelerated RN program.

I also wanted you to be realistic and not just pick nursing because there are jobs out there. Nursing also has its problems with layoffs and cutbacks and horrible schedules. If you love nursing, then you deal with it, but if you are just looking for greener pastures, you won't find it much greener. I think I speak for a lot of the nurses on here when I say that when I'm not working in nursing, I'm miserable. It is sometimes a love/hate relationship, but I just can't get away from it. It is a part of me down deep. I am drawn to it like a fish to water. I think you have to have that kind of passion for this profession to survive. Hopefully, if you do go into nursing, you will find it is your passion too. Good luck in your journey.

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You will also be accepted into Excelcior's ADN program if you have completed at least 50% of a traditional RN program. Also, it is not a requirement for you to be working in the nursing field as you complete your Excelsior degree. I completed 50% of a traditional program (that includes all of my required general education courses) and was accepted into Excelsior. When I dropped out of the traditional program I was not able to get any credit at any LPN school for my RN credits. So, this is why I chose to complete my RN degree through Excelsior. Also, in our area there a numerous RN positions days, evenings, and nights in all areas of care in hospitals or LTC. There are no layoffs, but only a shortage. It is a challenging field, but many rewards.

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