Advice & opinions wanted for Excelsior student

caliotter3 · Nov 25, 2014

It would be easier and more beneficial to attend a regular RN program. A hodge podge of unrelated courses is going to be expensive, time consuming, and just not as effective as going to a program that is designed to prepare you for nursing.

new old lpn · Nov 25, 2014

Thank you for your quick response. I would attend a regular RN program but I can not wait 1 1/2 years to start on an asn. I wish that there was more availability to traditional RN programs but it is what it is. I am wondering why you think Excelsior does not prepare you for nursing though. I have had a positive view of them because one of my clinical instructors got her nursing degree through them and continued on with other traditional schools to obtain her Masters and more recently her EdD. She is now quite successful nationwide!

NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN · Nov 25, 2014

I think caliotter3 was only referencing the list of ingredients you provided that puts one in the mind of that stew....ahhhhh, what's it called??? It's right on the tip of my tongue. Dang! I just drew a blank.....POT LUCK!!!!! You don't need all of that, or any of that, really.

Anyway, if you have successfully passed your LPN boards, you have enough hands-on exposure to be successful in EC's program. Just to put it out there (not saying this applies to you) Excelsior College is not for the easily-sidetracked. Life happens and Heaven knows, it happened to me in the worst way throughout my EC journey. But I already had 24 years of knowing what I know, so much so that it was second nature. Not having a solid clinically-knowledgeable background might shatter your academic world when the unexpected shows up. So, be prepared.

Once you receive your RN license, your chances of finding a job in the current 'trending' atmosphere will probably be very similar to your already-current situation. Employers are not only requesting BSN degrees; they want those degrees to accompany experience....hence, your dilemma. Of course this is all area-specific. The bright side of it is that there are those facilities that offer Nurse Residency programs that train new grad nurses to become competent nurses. You just have to look around and you might even have to expand the search after passing the NCLEX.

If you are already determined to attend Excelsior College, then first things first. Focus your attention on Excelsior College. This program is not easy. Not judging your intelligence or determination, but to be distracted with any other avenue of studies might very well cost you dearly. If you fail any ONE of Excelsior's exams four times, due to distractions, test anxiety, too much to drink, not enough sleep (whatever the reason), you are OUT of the program and your money is gone, and I believe there is a 5-year waiting period before you can re-enroll. Why risk it? Excelsior College provides you with everything you need to prepare you for entry into nursing. Employers are where you will find barriers to the entry.

If you read the variety of posts on this site, you will find that there are some nurses (LPNs, ASN RNs, and BSN RNs) that have completed traditional and non-traditional programs a few years ago and have yet to find that first job. Imagine what their clinical skills are like now, not that it would have helped them anyway, especially since paid experience is what employers want nowadays. I could go on, but I believe you get the gist.

Good luck in the program. Like I said, it isn't easy, but, it is doable. :yes:

caliotter3 · Nov 25, 2014

That hodge podge of unrelated courses is not going to prepare you for the Excelsior CPNE. When you are eligible to test for the CPNE, Excelsior will issue you a study guide hundreds of pages long (after you print it from the disc), that will get you ready from beginning to end as long as you start with page one and give it your intense effort. A regular RN program is better than Excelsior because many people fail the CPNE and lose their chance at a nursing degree when they could have more easily been successful by attending a regular clinical component where essentially you show up to clinical, act alive, do your assignments, don't tee off your clinical instructor, in order to pass. I do not recommend Excelsior as a first choice, only as a last ditch effort when a regular RN program option is no longer available.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Nov 26, 2014

Another EC grad here. I agree that your plan for extra courses doesn't really mesh well with your goals related to EC. I also think the ADN program is a better option, even if you wait to start it. Just my opinion. Good luck, whatever you decide.

Magelan · Nov 28, 2014

Another EC student here :)

I do recommend Excelsior. I have started it last year, and almost done with nursing subjects (Health Safety & Reproductive Health scheduled for next month). No failures so far. This could be done faster, but simply I was lazy :) And honestly, I did not study that much for those exams - around 4-5 days each.

CPNE is a bit challenging. My brother passed CPNE last weekend. Was not as bad as we expected :) But for that one you need to prepare well. It is nothing comparing to previous exams both of us were taking at the testing center (We had two months drama going on in the house while he was preparing for the CPNE)

As others said - doable :)

Good luck!

imdeborah · Dec 4, 2014

H. I graduated with an ADN from Excelsior having only worked as a nurses aide. The RNs on the floor were great in helping me prep for the CPNE...dressing changes, IV drip rates, etc. I passed all the exams on the first try, and like a previous poster I only studied for a couple of days each. (I'm a good crammer). The CPNE was very stressful, and it's a lot of money if you don't pass, but that being said, the manual that comes with it is thick and thorough. So many folks fail because of hand washing, believe it or not. It seems that already doing the LPN program has already given you a huge head start. I would not recommend taking outside training to help you prep. Find an RN friend to help you.

I highly recommend EC....but you have to stick with it and don't quit! I have since gotten a BS from EC and am one course away from my MSN...and I became an ARNP in the middle....and have 5 children 8 and under. You can do it!!

maddyfan4 · Jan 2, 2015

H. I graduated with an ADN from Excelsior having only worked as a nurses aide. The RNs on the floor were great in helping me prep for the CPNE...dressing changes, IV drip rates, etc. I passed all the exams on the first try, and like a previous poster I only studied for a couple of days each. (I'm a good crammer). The CPNE was very stressful, and it's a lot of money if you don't pass, but that being said, the manual that comes with it is thick and thorough. So many folks fail because of hand washing, believe it or not. It seems that already doing the LPN program has already given you a huge head start. I would not recommend taking outside training to help you prep. Find an RN friend to help you.
I highly recommend EC....but you have to stick with it and don't quit! I have since gotten a BS from EC and am one course away from my MSN...and I became an ARNP in the middle....and have 5 children 8 and under. You can do it!!

Omg. You give me so much hope. Im in my.40s and some times just feel to old. I hope I can get the motivation to keep going