About to start EC

BeachCathyRN · Jul 26, 2011

Welcome to all nurses you will love it on here - great support!! As for the books it is best to buy the books that Excelsior suggest but a lot of us just buy a edition or two older which saves lots of $. As for how quickly it can be done is up to you and how much study time you put into it. I have taken test in as little as 2 weeks and some have taken me 2 months of studying, kinda just depends on hours I work and what is going on in my life at the time and the subject. The LS 1, 2 & 3 take a little longer at least for me. It has taken me 3 years but that is starting with needing 15 pre reqs, working full time, moving to a different state and losing my son(took off 8 months after that one). So it just depends on your life and how much time you have to put into it. Hope this helps and Good Luck!! :w00t:

brenan, ASN, LPN, RN · Jul 26, 2011

Hi.
I have been a LPN since 92 and about to start EC. I have a bunch of the general ed credits already but I need Micro so I thought it would be a good place to start. I have tuition reimbursement at work but won't be eligible until the middle of November so I do not want to officially join until after that. I am a little worried that I will have an issue with the clinical exam because I do not work on the floor in the hospital. My other question is about the books. My daughter is in a AS program in a Community College. I was thinking about buying the books she needs and use them to save her money. Also how quickly have people done this? I work full-time but I want to finish this rather quickly but also want to be realistic. Any info will be truly appreciated!
Val

Congrats on starting EC!! You will love allnuses. Everyone here is so great and full of advice. For most of my tests I used studygroup101 notes and Saunders NCLEX review book. Also, if you can, I would take the practice tests offered by excelsior for you nursing exams and for A&P and micro. They are pricless!! Don't worry about the CPNE yet. Get your tests done first. I passed the CPNE and I don't work on a hospital floor, but worry about that later! I started last August and I just passed the CPNE just this past weekend! Good luck to you!

Mudwoman · Jul 26, 2011

It took me 3 years to finish. I did take off for about a year because of what all was going on in my life and there was a 6 mo waiting list to take the CPNE at the end. If you work full time, this is the way to go. I did this between 2004 and 2007 and I used all my old nursing books from 1993 in LPN school. I had to buy 5 books and got them on Ebay for less than $10 each.

valadam · Jul 26, 2011

Cathy,

Above all let me tell you how sorry I am about you losing your son. You have went through every parent's most dreaded nightmare and I can only imagine the pain you have been though. That you were able to even think about finishing your RN is nothing short of a miracle. YOU deserve a thousands kudos over!!! Thanks for the warm welcome.

valadam · Jul 26, 2011

Brenan,

Congrats!! You must feel like there is a million pounds off your chest! I bought the studygroup101 cd for micro and the one by Lisa something. So you didn't buy any books? I haven't received them yet so I don't know how much content is in them. Boy that would great if I didn't have that expense!!

valadam · Jul 26, 2011

Mudwomen,

Thanks for replying. Where did you take it? How do you find out how much of a waiting list for your area. I am in NY. I am pretty excited about starting. I did do a bunch of exams years ago and went to join the college (back then it was Regents) and they all expired about a month prior. That was a huge bummer to say the least.

Mudwoman · Jul 30, 2011

I took my test in Plano, TX. Once you are qualified to take your test, you will get all the paper work from EC and that paper work will let you know what test sites you have to select from and the wait time. I did the same thing on the exams. I at one time had all the exams done, but when I got the info on the CPNE, it scared me so bad, I didn't go any further. Thanks to a very supportive husband, I started over with EC and completed my degree. I'm working on my BSN with them now. Good luck to you and you will find great support on here.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jul 30, 2011

I took my test in Plano, TX. Once you are qualified to take your test, you will get all the paper work from EC and that paper work will let you know what test sites you have to select from and the wait time.

It's actually all done online now -- the application (including CPNE site(s) selection) is done through the EC website. :)