Excelsior questions

WestPalmLPN · Jun 22, 2011

i have been an lpn for a little over a year now. i am wanting to go possibly try excelsior or an online school offered to get my rn.
does anyone have any experience with this? i am a student @ ec i love it, there's a lot of resources on this site you might also want to check ec website.
how long did the program take you? it's all up to you!!! my friend did all of her nursing exams within 6 months, i gave myself @ least 6 weeks of studying prior taking an exam... you also have to think there's pre-req. that have to be completed you might want to do those @ a community college to save some money. it took me less than 1 year, i have cpne left.
where would i take my clincals if i live in ohio? it's great that you have a job at the hospital, there's no clinical untill the end you have to do you cpne....
how hard is the clinical portion? the cpne is all depends on how you prepare yourself (that's what i've heard, will let you know i just applied :)
does excelsior provide you with everything you need? i believe ec provide you with all you need you, there's discussion boards if you have a question you can ask a faculty menber....
also if i ever transfer to another state would my ohio license transfer because i went to this school? i would advise you to contact your states bon.
i want to start asap. i work in home care so i dont get a lot of skills there but i also work prn at the hospital. oh and i am also having a hard time figuring out how much it cost.

- i beleve the fee will go up in july... if i had to guess probably $10,000.00

LPNt · Jun 22, 2011

Do they except Pell grants?

BeachieRN84 · Jun 22, 2011

No, they do not accept federal aid for the ADN program, but they have been very generous with scholarships, I have gotten two so far and am hoping for another for my graduation fee. If you forward them your FAFSA and your EFC is 0, you have a great chance of getting one--and if you don't then call! They may have overlooked it.

I love EC. It has given me the option to work and be home with my son on my days off and still obtain my education. I started with pretty much nothing, only a few electives, so I had to do almost all the Gen Ed's plus 7 nursing courses. I started taking Gen Ed's in November, started the nursing component in January and finished all those in about 4 months. The only thing now between me and my RN is the CPNE and Microbiology.

If you live in Ohio, you do have the option of taking your clinical weekend in Mansfield, Ohio, which I have heard is a great test site. There are also sites in Texas, Georgia, Florida, New York, PA and Wisconsin.

I am scheduled for the CPNE in September. The study guide alone is 600 pages and it ca be very overwhelming, but I keep telling myself that thousands of students have done it before me, and it's not impossible. I am staying very optimistic that I will come back from NY as a graduate.

From start to finish, with travel to NY, the program will cost me about $9,000.

Good luck with your decision. :-)

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jun 22, 2011

Excelsior has some state information here: http://www.excelsior.edu/state-board-requirements

Just be aware that there are some states with extra requirements for EC grads, and a couple of states where EC grads will never be licensed, as things stand now.

Determine2b · Jun 24, 2011

Beachnurse, would you mind sharing how to go about obtaining 2 scholarships in the same year? I was under the impression ONLY one per year! Thanks.

BeachieRN84 · Jun 24, 2011

The school year is coming to a close (June 30) and I wondered if they had funds left over, I took a chance, called and pleaded my case and got really lucky.