Be very Careful about considering Excelsior's Online ADN program...

[ColoLPNStudent]

Be very careful before you sign up for the Excelsior program if you plan on working in a major metropolitan hospital or even a larger hospital in a rural area.

I know of two people here in Colorado that have had problems with their Excelsior education. One spent over $5,000, passed the Colorado NCLEX and has found that major hospitals will not hire her because of the lack of additional clinical hours and real-time instruction. The second stopped taking the course after spending more than $3,000 after finding out the same information.

I signed up last April and immediately after had the RN that had taught my CNA class the year before tell me that many hospitals have problems with these types of degrees. I had already bought a bunch of books, but basically left it where it stood thinking I could always get my money back. Boy was I wrong.

I was using the istudysmart.com system to get some of the classes out of the way for Excelsior and when I wanted to get a refund, I was shocked at what I heard. If you do not request a refund within 3 days of signing up, you're out of luck. No refunds period. Am I glad I only spent $800 plus another $200 on books.

So...my advice is to try and get into the second year of an ADN program at a community college if you're an LPN (which in most states has a very small waiting list as compared to entering into it in the first year). If you're a CMA, Paramedic or whatever Excelsior currently says qualifies you for the RN-ADN program, do what it takes to get into a real-time, nursing school. I have heard three stories besides my own now and would council anyone seeking to become a nurse to seek other options than online programs. It may take me longer, but it will be better in the long run.

[Bebet39]

In the future, all classrooms will be online. We're already moving towards that direction. As everyone can see there are many online colleges; not to mention traditional colleges and universities offer online courses. Some students do prefer online courses versus the classroom.

I've noticed many BSNs can't even work with a colostomy, let alone make a bed.

[nurse2033, MSN, RN]

Colorado does allow EC degrees, as long as you get the clinical hours they require. This is a good idea anyway. Anyother way is to work in Cheyenne for a year or two, then get reciprocity to CO. And hippienurse, you don't know what your are talking about. I learned exactly what I needed to be a great nurse.

[dstep102570]

I am an EC student. I have taken 3 EC exams and studying for the 4th one. I am very pleased with this program. I believe that people who have never been in this program or taken any of the tests need to keep their opinions to theirselves. If I had read some of these comments before enrollin into EC I may never had enrolled. This program works great for me because I am a single parent who has to work full-time and cannot afford to work part-time and go to school full-time.

[Phil313]

My 2 Cents:

It is so scary to hear negative comments after just deciding to pursue my RN through EC. These type of statements scared me away for too long.

What I have learned reading all the posts over the years, Is that EC may not be for everyone but.... many, many are successful. And I can do this. I have worked along RN's for 12 yrs. I know what they do, what they don't do and should, I have trained new RN's. Helped, supported and encouraged them in their duties, don't tell me I am not capable of learning just because I am not in a classroom setting or clinical rotation. I am working on the floor everyday, while the same nurse that I trained sits at the desk, while the real bedside work is left to the LPN.

Most important I cannot let anything stop me for pursuing my dream, especially fear. EC was designed for LPN's just like me, hard working full-time Nurses, Students, Mothers and Wives trying to better themselves and advance in their careers. And no one has the right to crush our hopes.

[TLSpaz, ASN, RN]

SO I WAS CORRECT...HEY, EMT2RN WHO TOLD ME TO STOP SPREADING MISINFORMATION I WASN'T SPREADING ANY MISINFORMATION!!!

I knew what I was talking about after all. I was kind of insulted at his comment that I was spreading misinformation because I am the type of person who likes to make sure they have the facts straight before they say something, I also know I can be wrong but in this case I was correct. No misinformation on my part.

Actually....you CAN be accepted into Excelsior's program as an EMT-B or EMT-I if you are or have been a corpsman/medic in the military.

[txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN]

this is not correct. you must be at the paramedic level in order to be accepted to ec's program. you may be accepted as a medic but students that are only emt-b or emt-i wont ...

actually....you can be accepted into excelsior's program as an emt-b or emt-i if you are or have been a corpsman/medic in the military.

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

You're both right, really. LOL. We're splitting hairs. But yes, if someone was a military corpsman/medic, then that is the basis for acceptance -- not the EMT-I or EMT-B.