Any RN to BSN Excelsior University Nurses Here?

Specializes in Intensive Care.

Two years ago I enrolled in Excelsior College's dual BSN-MSN in Nursing Education program. I am just 3 weeks away from completing my first 2 BSN component courses. Are there any Excelsior University alumni students here having a go at earning their BSN or MSN degrees with Excelsior University? I know that there are cheaper but also fast-paced options out their. Unfortunately I am working full-time as a critical care RN and I still have all my children living at home. Seems like this is the same situation with the other 11 students in my classes. 

15 Answers

Specializes in NICU, Psych, Education.

Hey Kamilah - 

I got my AS and MS (nursing education focus) at Excelsior. I finished the master's more than seven years ago, which is probably too long ago to be helpful to you, but I wanted to wish you good luck. 

Specializes in oncology.
On 11/28/2022 at 9:26 PM, Kamilah Coney said:

Two years ago I enrolled in Excelsior College's dual BSN-MSN in Nursing Education program. I am just 3 weeks away from completing my first 2 BSN component courses

Speeding through courses doesn't mean competency.  I worry about the WGU students who complete a BSN in less than 5 months and an MSN in 8 months.

The point of further education is to complete your education as YOU. Not completing a "test check off".

The point of completing  MSN graduate education is to stop and think how this will complete your education to drive/improve further nursing. You will need be able  to  actually do literature reviews.... (reading nursing education literature outside the Pablum that is accessible online to the graduate  student who has never researched a topic in a university library)    

Specializes in Intensive Care.
On 12/10/2022 at 11:04 AM, londonflo said:

Speeding through courses doesn't mean competency.  I worry about the WGU students who complete a BSN in less than 5 months and an MSN in 8 months.

The point of further education is to complete your education as YOU. Not completing a "test check off".

The point of completing  MSN graduate education is to stop and think how this will complete your education to drive/improve further nursing. You will need be able  to  actually do literature reviews.... (reading nursing education literature outside the Pablum that is accessible online to the graduate  student who has never researched a topic in a university library)    

I actually thought the same thing in regards to WGU. That is the main reason I, personally, didn't consider that route as an option for me. Earning my baccalaureate degree through Excelsior University will actually allow me to absorb the curriculum and apply it in my work environment. WGU to me is like cramming the night before a final exam. 

Specializes in Intensive Care.
On 12/10/2022 at 7:53 AM, EricJRN said:

Hey Kamilah - 

I got my AS and MS (nursing education focus) at Excelsior. I finished the master's more than seven years ago, which is probably too long ago to be helpful to you, but I wanted to wish you good luck. 

Thank you Eric! I'm just taking it one semester at a time. 

Hey Kamilah! I completed my ASN with Excelsior in 2019. I will start the Capstone course to complete my BSN in Jan. 2023- should have been complete but there was some confusion with my advisor. I am enrolled in a dual degree program. My BSN is in healthcare administration and my MSN will be Nursing education. I have worked full-time while completing these degrees. My instructors for BSN courses were very understanding of the students with full-time jobs. While it has taken me longer than I would like, Excelsior has been very good for me while working full-time and raising my children.

Specializes in oncology.
On 12/12/2022 at 9:18 PM, Kamilah Coney said:

Earning my baccalaureate degree through Excelsior University will actually allow me to absorb the curriculum and apply it in my work environment

This will help you in the long run. Growth as a Master's prepared nurse does not happen over night. 

 

On 12/12/2022 at 9:18 PM, Kamilah Coney said:

WGU to me is like cramming the night before a final exam. 

I agree. I haven't met anyone in a nursing education tenured position who did the WGU program.  But one from University of Phoenix had a short stay as a faculty member, released because she did not make tenure. Couldn't teach when assigned content ....would go around asking  previous professors "Do you have a Power Point for this?" Complained about previous test questions but couldn't write her own. 

Specializes in Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Volunteer Nursing.

I am a current BSN student at Excelsior.

 

Specializes in NICU.

Worst program ever,finally they revamped it but for distance there are much better programs especially if you are the only support for yourself  ,no mentors etc.

Specializes in Intensive Care.
Leader25 said:

Worst program ever,finally they revamped it but for distance there are much better programs especially if you are the only support for yourself  ,no mentors etc.

Yes, that was the hard part about their program. But gratefully I was able to excel through the courses I completed fairly easily. Unfortunately the pace was too slow for me.

I was an internationally trained Diploma RN, initially registered for RN-BSN, but changed my mind and went for BSN with Excelsior College. I had moved to Canada by then, and have since completed an MA in medical anthropology and I will be completing my 2nd Masters in nursing, double focussing in health research and health promotion. Excelsior program was the blessing that opened  my doors- it was perfect for me!!  I understand there are people who need more mentoring and this school may not be for such- otherwise it is a great program for more independent learners!

Specializes in Intensive Care.
RN90 said:

I was an internationally trained Diploma RN, initially registered for RN-BSN, but changed my mind and went for BSN with Excelsior College. I had moved to Canada by then, and have since completed an MA in medical anthropology and I will be completing my 2nd Masters in nursing, double focussing in health research and health promotion. Excelsior program was the blessing that opened  my doors- it was perfect for me!!  I understand there are people who need more mentoring and this school may not be for such- otherwise it is a great program for more independent learners!

Absolutely, that is definitely a program that requires mentoring. Initially I wanted to complete my BSN with Excelsior University but upon realizing it was going to cost me 3x the amount of going the accelerated route, I changed paths. Completed the BSN Flex Path program with Capella University and starting the MSN in Nursing Education Flex Path on April 8th. It's great that Excelsior was a perfect fit for you!

I totally understand. Everyone has their way of learning. I am a very independent learner and always hated "blanket" close supervision. Not that I don't need focussed supervision at times- but at this point I was already an RN with a diploma and several years of experience, including in clinical instructor in an LPN school.   All I needed is a path to hold the degree- and I got much more than that from Excelsior, including motivation for further studies! I'm glad you found a fitting program for you as well- that is the whole point, right? I didn't mind the cost- I really had no comparison, plus was in Canada on work permit and wasn't allowed to go to school here with this  Visa status. Before I moved to Canada, I had started taking pre-requisites via tests affordable tests instead of getting into school as an international student - of which 39 credits were accepted by Excelsior and I had to complete the rest while here before staring the actual program. All these situations add to my appreciation of the program for adapting so well to my circumstances...

 

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