A few questions about Excelsior

caliotter3 · Jun 11, 2008

There is no required clinical. Only a clinical exam at the end, called the CPNE, which occurs over a Friday-Sunday (or now it may be in the middle of the week). The CPNE is a bear. Many people fail on their first try. It costs around $2000. You get three tries to pass. Are you sure that there is no way you can complete your program? I think you are selling yourself short. The easier thing to do would be to finish your program. I've read where people say that Excelsior does not automatically accept nursing courses from other schools. So you may be repeating material (and paying more money). Talk to someone at your school about modifying your schedule. Maybe you could take a semester leave of absence or take the summer session. My school offered the final semester in the summer so people could graduate early if they wanted to compress everything into one summer term. Maybe you could work something out.

momto2beauties · Jun 11, 2008

That is a totally reasonable question. Right now, even if I go part time, it will take me two years to finish because each class is a pre rec for something else and the nursing classes are only offered over the long semesters. In addition, the program that I'm in is very desired with about 800 students applying for 100 spots each semester. In other words, they are extremely unwilling to work through circumstances that are out of the ordinary, they will just replace you with someone else. I'm not willing to give up this precious time with my children being as young as they are, so in the long run going to Excelsior seems like it might be a "short cut" to getting my RN.

ivanh3 · Jun 12, 2008

That is a totally reasonable question. Right now, even if I go part time, it will take me two years to finish because each class is a pre rec for something else and the nursing classes are only offered over the long semesters. In addition, the program that I'm in is very desired with about 800 students applying for 100 spots each semester. In other words, they are extremely unwilling to work through circumstances that are out of the ordinary, they will just replace you with someone else. I'm not willing to give up this precious time with my children being as young as they are, so in the long run going to Excelsior seems like it might be a "short cut" to getting my RN.

EC is definitely not a shortcut. If you are truly only a year away then you should consider that you will put in a lot of time to finish EC and maybe not even pass the CPNE (people who normally take this test have years of medical background). Just poke around here. The CPNE is tough, has a high failure rate and is CRAZY stressful. If you were not in a program already EC might be a good option. But to put yourself through what you will go through and only end up with an ASN, you would probably still ending up losing a bunch of time with your family. Just my opinion. I graduated from EC and I would normally recommend it, but you seem so close.

Ivan

caliotter3 · Jun 12, 2008

EC, while a viable alternative to traditional programs, should not be considered the short cut to solve all problems. The exams are very doable if one prepares properly. However, the CPNE and newly added in person testing, is very, very stressful and there are scores of former students who failed three times or who failed and never went back. In comparison, you pretty much only have to show up for your regular school's clinicals, and do what is expected of you. If you make one simple mistake of omission or commission during the CPNE, that testing session is a wash for you. That is why I strongly urge anyone who is currently in a traditional program to stick with it. If it were me, I wouldn't want to take my chances. Look on the yahoo groups about the CPNE. One of the group moderators, just passed after his second try. One of the mistakes he made the first time was not counting the milk in a cereal bowl as part of intake. Sounds pretty picky for a $2000 error to me. All it takes is one $2000 error three times and you're out. Just want to put things into proper perspective.

it's hot in phoenix · Jun 12, 2008

holy cow, im waiting to take my cpne and you people are going to freak me out. :eek: Ok here's my veiw, it depends on your work experience, if you never have worked in the nursing field at any position available, the cpne would be very difficult but not impossible. what happens if your unable to finish your next year in your school? are you able to get right back in when you are ready or do you go on some lenghty waiting list? are they able to assure you minimal difficulty getting back to where you left off at? i would advise talking to someone at EC, to get the fine details of what is accepted and what is not. also ask EC if they dont accept a particuliar class of yours for the AS degree, will they be able to accept it for when you go for the BSN. another question is what state are you from, make sure with your nursing board their criteria, for accpeting EC degree to take their NCLEX, good luck and dont get discouraged, alot of us have been at the "kid stage" and remember you are the only one who knows what is best and go with your heart and guts :heartbeat

momto2beauties · Jun 12, 2008

I wanted to clarify my use of the term "shortcut". I certainly am not trying to imply that Excelsior is an easier school that I can just sail on through. In my position right now, I'm looking at possibly not being able to finish at all because of childcare issues, and just feeling like I'm being a bad mom to my kids who are my number one priority and all under the age of 6. I guess I viewed Excelsior as a possible way to make my dream of being an RN come true while still being able to fulfill my "duties" as a mother. The only "short cut" I was referring to was being able to get my RN in a year or two versus not knowing when I would be able to finish in a traditional program. I realize that not everyone holds my same views in parenting, I just feel like my kids are only going to be little once and they need me. However, I've been working on my RN for almost six years and really want to see this dream be completed. Thanks for listening and I certainly wasn't trying to offend anyone by using the term "short cut".

it's hot in phoenix · Jun 12, 2008

like i said alot of us have been there with the kid situation, please dont interpret my comment as negative, because those of us with kids obviously chose EC program for a reason, you can study and do tests at your schedule, i had three kids in 2 1/2 yrs, plus work, husband gone with the military and trying to get where i wanted to be. but things do come up and it doesnt mean your any less "dedicated" to school, it simply means your priority changed for a moment and then you get back on track. so i like i said go with what you feel works for you :up:

Baloney Amputation, BSN, LPN, RN · Jun 12, 2008

That's a pickle. I too have three daughters at home (7, 4, and 2). Heck, I don't even work out of the home, but I've been an LPN since 2001. I've worked at home for 3 years--time does fly! Anyway, I would probably still recommend sticking it out if at all possible. If not, maybe you can contact EC and see what they'll say about your credits. You might have to actually apply (I think it's like $75) and see where you unofficially stand. Their unofficial credit reviews are normally spot on when it comes to the official evaluation when you enroll. Everything is set up a bit different than regular college, meaning you will be paying for little details like enrollment and yearly fees, but they are clearly delineated on the EC website.

You may want to go to the website, sign up for an EC account (one thing that's free!), and see the document titled something about How Much is My Associate's Degree in Nursing Going to Cost? Hopefully that is a place to start for you.

Another thing to consider--even if you buzz through the tests at a fairly good clip, the CPNE takes about 5-8 or so months on top of that after your last Nursing Concepts class is finished. It may take you a good 18 months or so. Some do it a bit faster, some do it much slower. Both ways are okay as long as you pay your yearly fee.

Let us know how it goes!

NC Girl BSN · Jun 12, 2008

Can you take out a Student loan to pay for daycare while your in Clinicals? I think you will truly regret dropping out to go to EC. It will take you over a year to finish and you have to get pass the CPNE. Don't get me wrong, EC has provided great flexibility for me and I do not regret it. I am currently waiting to take the CPNE. But if I was already on a nursing program, I would not drop out to go to EC. I would take out a Home Equity loan before I would drop out. Weigh every possibility. You will regret it if you don't try. Good Luck and Keep us posted.

momto2beauties · Jun 12, 2008

Actually, it's not as much of a money factor as it is just not wanting to spend that much time away from my kids. Also, I think it would be difficult to find someone to watch my kids for that many hours during the week that I really, really trust. Right now, I have a perfect situation becuase I have a lady that works a "normal" job and watches my kiddos on her two off days. Can you guys give me your view of EC? Any regrets?

ivanh3 · Jun 12, 2008

Actually, it's not as much of a money factor as it is just not wanting to spend that much time away from my kids. Also, I think it would be difficult to find someone to watch my kids for that many hours during the week that I really, really trust. Right now, I have a perfect situation becuase I have a lady that works a "normal" job and watches my kiddos on her two off days. Can you guys give me your view of EC? Any regrets?

I have a 21 month old and I understand what you are feeling. I would still go the traditional route. A year will go by fast...super fast, and then you would have your BSN and your kids will have their mom. Plus, no issues with the CPNE, state licensing (some states have issues with EC), taking much longer to finish, and then only end up with your associates. So less time, better respected degree (in terms of college and type), and here is what is most important: you would actually have more time with your children.

I went to EC, and my biggest complaint is that I spent just as much time on my associates as my wife did on her BSN (I started before her by six months and she graduated 8 months after me, but with a BSN vs an ASN). This is true for most associates vs BSNs. I live in state that excepts EC grads with an additional hoop to jump through. I am now working on my masters, but I had to spend another YEAR working on my bachelor level classes first. That was very frustrating to me. As far as the CPNE goes, I passed. In fact I did very well. But some of that could have been luck. Some really sharp people who were/are better nurses than I have failed the CPNE because of the smallest details (others have commented on this already). Details that wouldn't have earned a second glance during a traditional school clinical. I have read about (an expeirienced) the stress that EC student's family members go through as they watched us stress and panic about the CPNE. Don't forget that your family goes through this stuff with you.

I wouldn't be so anti EC perhaps if you were just starting out with nothing under your belt, but there is no way I would give up what you have to go to EC.

Ivan