Excelsior---College Network, RUE, Istudysmart.com, ????

hlj07090 · May 25, 2005

I am really overwhelmed right now by all of the publishing companies that offer LPN to RN programs. I have recently attended a meeting with College network--$8,000. Rue's program would be about $6,000. I am willing to pay the $$, but I want to make sure the program is good. I am having a really hard time deciding which publishing company to go with or going directly through Excelsior???
I kknow the publishing companies are here to make $$, that's pretty obvious by the gap in price between all three companies. It's really hard to pay that kind of money when an RN program at a technical college is $7,000 total around my area. Obviously, the waiting list is extremely long or I would just go back to a technical college.
As far as clinical work, I currently work in Occ. Health so I am not getting a lot of hands-on nursing. A plus for me is that I originally started out in an ADN program and had a lot of skills courses where we did NG, Irrigating, dressing changes, care plans, etc.
I've read the forum here and I don't know what I think. I need pro's and con's from people who have been in each of these programs. Please Email me your response.
Thanks!!!
nurseangels

I am wondering the same thing, I have signed up with rue and am now scared that this is a big rip off.

Heather

tvccrn, ASN, RN · May 25, 2005

I was wondering the same thing. I have looked into the various programs and I have a RUE representative calling me daily and asking for my transcript. I am looking at the RN to BSN program. If anyone out there has any suggestions, it looks like this would be greaty appreciated by quite a few of us.

nurseangels · May 25, 2005

I was wondering the same thing. I have looked into the various programs and I have a RUE representative calling me daily and asking for my transcript. I am looking at the RN to BSN program. If anyone out there has any suggestions, it looks like this would be greaty appreciated by quite a few of us.

Just out of curiosity, why do you want to get your BSN? :)

robfall · May 25, 2005

I was wondering the same thing. I have looked into the various programs and I have a RUE representative calling me daily and asking for my transcript. I am looking at the RN to BSN program. If anyone out there has any suggestions, it looks like this would be greaty appreciated by quite a few of us.

The feedback on these companies is mixed. I personally use istudysmart (Moore Publishing) and have found it helpful. However; I have friends who are using only the free content guides from Excelsior, who are doing quite well. So it's really a matter of your study habits and motivation level. You might want to check out the Yahoo discussion groups for

Excelsior students. I'd advise against signing an expensive or long term contract with any publishing company at this point. much of the info is available free or used at a reduced price.

tvccrn, ASN, RN · May 26, 2005

Just out of curiosity, why do you want to get your BSN? :)

I am interested in working in nursing informatics and the only way to break into that field is to have a Bachelors in that as well as nursing.

Metron · Oct 11, 2005

I am studying with Excelsior through CHANCELLOR'S. They are a LOT cheaper than the others.

jansailsea · Feb 7, 2006

I could have sworn http://www.istudysmart.com was alot cheaper than the other study programs based on its' 1 & 2 year discount program.

Also, if you are a HCA (Hospital Corporation Of America) employee, they have a link to http://www.istudysmart.com & small- small discount.

CV_RN · May 26, 2007

I did the LVN to RN program through Excelsior College. Beware - Illinois requires 2 years experience as an RN before you can endorse and California does not accept Excelsior - they are doing a 1 on 1 basis for endorsement (i've been working on it for 8 months now). Otherwise, it's a good route to go if you're an experienced LVN/LPN. I went directly through excelsior college itself which saved me about $8,000. I went on Ebay and purchased a CD rom that had study notes for all the exams. I used the CD rom alone and passed all the exams on the first try. You can sign up for the exams directly through excelsior - I believe they're around 200 bux a test. You save about $4000 alone in textbooks. It worked for me and quite a few nurses I work with. You can also place everything on a payment plan directly with Excelsior College. Basically it's somewhere around 800 dollars enrollment fee, 200 and something per test and 1800 for the clinical. There were 7 exams when I did excelsior in 2005-2006

Jason511 · May 26, 2007

I have heard that many hospitals will not except a RN that has used College network or any of the above companies.. Does anyone have any experience with this in Ohio?

Ambition13, MSN, RN · May 26, 2007

I think it's based on your own choice and what's best for you. I hear mostly bad things about these publishing companies. I know a couple of people that are using the College Network for ISU and they have no complaints. For them it's convenient and the price wasn't really a factor because it's for their education and also there is a guarantee to pass their courses which is a good deal. Most people want to search different sites to find cheaper and used study material, which is great too. If you choose to use a publishing company, don't feel bad. Ultimately, it's not about the money your investing into your career, it's about sticking with the program and passing. Once you become a RN, I don't think you're gonna think of the money you've spent to obtain that license.

EricJRN, MSN, RN · May 26, 2007

I have heard that many hospitals will not except a RN that has used College network or any of the above companies.. Does anyone have any experience with this in Ohio?

The College Network and the other companies mentioned above are not schools. The degree is granted by Excelsior College, so your hospital wouldn't know which publishing company (if any) you used to complete the degree. The issue to check is whether the state/hospital recognizes Excelsior College.