Distance learning LVN to RN

New Castle Ken · Apr 30, 2004

I have several questions about these distance learning programs. I want to know if anyone has had any negative experiences with getting your RN degree this way. How the clinical is , what I might expect to encounter with the clinical and if you had any problems with sitting for the NCLEX. I worry about spending all this money and time then in the end coming out with nothing. Any info , pointers ,opinions are greatly appreciated...:rotfl:

Check with your state's board of nursing. They will tell you if they will accept the degree for your basic RN to sit for license boards. Some states do not accept Excelsior College for the basic RN but there are only a couple. There have been many LPNs here with good things to say about the excelsior program. Good luck.

Chevelle · Apr 30, 2004

I agree with the above. Check with your BON. Here in New York State, there are some distance learning degrees that will not be recognized in other areas. Example" Resp. Therapy-you cannot sit for the cerification if you go through some college of allied health in CA. They won't recognize it. Nursing may be different, or there just may be certain schools that are acceptable. Check first so you're not hung later!

Good luck!

ryaninmtv, ADN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN · Apr 30, 2004

I earned my degree through Excelsior two years ago. Didn't have any problems with the board here in Ohio. The EC staff was very helpful assisting me with the paperwork for the NCLEX as well. Good Luck!

Chevelle · May 1, 2004

I earned my degree through Excelsior two years ago. Didn't have any problems with the board here in Ohio. The EC staff was very helpful assisting me with the paperwork for the NCLEX as well. Good Luck!

I have head wonderful things about Excelsior. I guess it is tough, but exceptional.

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · May 1, 2004

Hi- current EC student here, getting ready to graduate in June. Excelsior is tough, but it prepares you very well for the NCLEX. You will actually learn in the program- I've learned a lot. You can go to their website and look at their content guides to get an idea of what you'll be required to learn in the exams. Each nursing course has anywhere from 4-8 sections you'll be required to know in order to pass the exam. And the exams are very nursing process-oriented to the various medical problems...most of the questions you'll be answering aren't cut-and-dry "what are the signs/symptoms of X" type questions. You'll also do Peds along with Adult in lots of the subjects (for example, in Community Nursing), so you'll be required to know the differences in how certain things affect a Peds pt vs an adult.

Dixiedi · May 9, 2004

Hi- current EC student here, getting ready to graduate in June. Excelsior is tough, but it prepares you very well for the NCLEX. You will actually learn in the program- I've learned a lot. You can go to their website and look at their content guides to get an idea of what you'll be required to learn in the exams. Each nursing course has anywhere from 4-8 sections you'll be required to know in order to pass the exam. And the exams are very nursing process-oriented to the various medical problems...most of the questions you'll be answering aren't cut-and-dry "what are the signs/symptoms of X" type questions. You'll also do Peds along with Adult in lots of the subjects (for example, in Community Nursing), so you'll be required to know the differences in how certain things affect a Peds pt vs an adult.

Did you find any kind of financial aid to help pay for the costs of Excelsior? I am so anxious to started but the money just isn't there on the current salary.

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · May 9, 2004

Dixie,

The bad news is that they aren't a Title IV school, so federal grants/loans don't apply at EC. I am getting tuition reimbursement from my employer, plus a scholarship from my BON. Check with your employer, and take in a copy of EC's NCLEX pass rate (from the NY BON website), as well as their NLN accreditation statement. This worked for me, and I got my tuition reimbursement. The good thing about EC (once you get the 800 & something registration out of the way- do monthly installments) is that you pay for each exam when you're ready to take it. So, once you get started, you pay as you go along. They also have need based and grade based scholarships available from the school. I believe the deadline is sometime in June for those, so I'd look at those pretty soon. Talk with an academic advisor- I'm sure they'll be able to help you out with those if you need it. Good luck! EC is still a good deal less $ than a traditional program. The nursing exams were about $41 a credit hr- not bad at all.

Dixiedi · May 9, 2004

Dixie,
The bad news is that they aren't a Title IV school, so federal grants/loans don't apply at EC. ......

Thank you. I have been in touch with the admissions department and the only thing they said is they can not do student loans. I will inquire about the monthly payment plans for admission fees and all. I can "do" the exam fees on a per test. It's the big chunks I can't handle.

Thanks again!

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · May 9, 2004

Dixie,

If you go to the main page fo their website and click on the Pay-Your-Way link, it'll explain it all. You'll get an application for that with your school application packet. Be aware also that the CPNE (final clinical eval) is $1325, which you can pay in installments too.

Dixiedi · May 9, 2004

Dixie,
If you go to the main page fo their website and click on the Pay-Your-Way link, it'll explain it all. You'll get an application for that with your school application packet. Be aware also that the CPNE (final clinical eval) is $1325, which you can pay in installments too.

Thanks again. I didn't see the "pay as you go" link... I'll go look for it now... I am aware of the assorted costs needed. And it sure will be nice to be able to give it a go on a monthly thing.

Wonder why the financial aid office didn't say something about it. Oh well.

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · May 9, 2004

http://www.excelsior.edu/payplans.htm

Here is the link in case you couldn't find it. They have changed their homepage format since I last looked at it- the link isn't so obvious any more.