EC grads...need your input to finalize my decision to enroll

Jo Dirt · Aug 16, 2005

Morning everyone! I'm an LPN who came across these boards yesterday while reseaching information on becoming an RN through online/distance learning. I was on the phone so long yesterday with Distance Learning Systems Indiana Inc., The College Network and Excelsior that my portable phone died!
Some questions I have are:
1) If I go with Excelsior, exactly what must I purchase (books, study guides, etc) to prepare for each test?
2) How much support does Excelsior provide when a student has questions or problems?
3) Once signed up, are you obligated to pay the entire cost of the course, even if you for some reason must "drop out"?
4) Are there other online/distance learning opportunities in addition to Excelsior that are reputatable? (Not study guide providers like The College Network)
5) Can you take your general ed classes in the order you choose or is that determined by Excelsior?
6) I graduated from LPN school five years ago this past May. Are any of the courses I took counted toward my degree?
I'm trying to get as many answers as possible before August 30th, when I'm to meet with our corporate reps to present my case for tuition assistance. I want to be prepared to explain how distance learning benefits me (because its faster) and for the company (because it costs less than a "traditional" nursing school.)
All replies will be appreciated!
Cindy

Distance learning won't be cheaper if you sign a contract with College Network. This would be a big mistake, because you can get their materials for a fraction of the cost off eBay and without being locked in a contract. You likely won't need their study materials anyway, EC will give you a study guide for free. The Excelsior tests are not that hard, I took my first one in November of '04 and finished my last one March of '05. It can just be time consuming because when you register for a test, even when you get a phone confirmation a couple of days later you have to work around Prometrics testing schedule. Here in Tennessee, I sometimes had to wait three weeks to get a date.

If I had it to do again I would not go through Excelsior. As you know, they are not held in very high esteem in many states, with California banning them entirely. I initially went with Excelsior because for one thing I have three small children (when you're trying to make it on your own with three kids it just isn't feasable to go to class and clinicals, I did it for a year when I went to LPN school and I just couldn't stand the thought of doing it again). I also went with Excelsior because I wanted to go ahead and get finished and I thought this route could be quick.

Boy, was I wrong, even though I have finished quickly on my end Excelsior will still go at their own pace and leave you spinning your wheels. It took me months to even get a test date for the clinical.

Since I have already sunk thousands into Excelsior I will go ahead and finish, but I can't, with a good conscience, suggest this program to anyone.

In retrospect (you know how perfect hindsight is) I think I would go with Indiana State University. It looks as though they have a much more thorough program that is not as controversial as Excelsior.

copnlpn2 · Aug 16, 2005

LPNtoRN - Thanks for your reply. I'll check now on Indiana State University so I can learn what they have to offer.

Waiting around just spinning your wheels is the main reason I chose a self-paced LPN school in Oklahoma. I completed the coursework and graduated with honors in a little under 9 months. I would have been done sooner, if it hadn't been for Thanksgiving break, Christmas break, the dog needs to take a leak break and every other conceivable break in the classes. Very frustrating for someone who just wants to study, test and get done with it!

Again - thanks for the info!

Cindy

copnlpn2 · Aug 16, 2005

LPNtoRN - Just checked the Indiana State University site and the only nursing degree listed is RN to BSN. No mention of LPN to an associate's degree in nursing.

Am I looking at the wrong university or is the info I found correct - that ISU only offers BSN degrees for those who are already RN's?

Thanks again!

Cindy

missnurse01, MSN, RN · Aug 16, 2005

Hi! i am just graduating from ec and would like to try to answer some of your ques.

1. u can purchase as much as u need to pass any exam-ec has a list of recommendations, but i do not think that everyone uses all of them! sometimes u can use your old books and the internet to look stuff up. get the free content guide for each class which outlines exactly the topics that may be on the test.

2. the only time i contacted ec with ques is when i was preparing for my clinical and got plenty of support and answers to my questions. so i would think it would be the same for any of the other tests.

3. u only pay for a test when u are ready to take it. u do have eo pay your enrollment fee before u take nc3 i think, then a yearly student fee.

4. as for other schools, i only know of indiana like u already heard-and i am not sure of others...but i think that they are out there. i would be very cautious of their clinical req-true at any school. look into there policy deeply-many have u set it up where u are locally and this can be difficult to do-some programs only admit u once u have your clinical site in place.

5. with ec u can take any class in any order.

6. if any of your pre-req were college level than they should transfer-ec will eval your transcript for u...i think they do it for a fee if u want to do this before u enroll.

many good wishes on your decision! lpntorn is right on with the wait thing at ec, this comes at the end mostly. waiting for a clinical test date, and waiting to graduate. i know they are setting up more clinical sites so maybe this won't be so bad in the future-but they sure seem bogged down with paperwork. good luck with your decision!

copnlpn2 · Aug 16, 2005

Do you recall how much it cost you (the very first payment) when you started with EC? Once I would complete all my classes, can I select where to do my clinicals (Columbus, OH is their closest) or does EC make that determination? If all the books, study guides, etc., can be purchased online or elsewhere cheaper and testing is paid by the student out-of-pocket (is it), then what exactly is EC's role? Why couldn't a person obtain those same books, manuals, study guides, pass CLEP tests and then apply to take the clinical test?

I know my last question sounds rather dense, but I'm trying to determine what exactly is EC's role outside of providing printed material, support and counseling. Are they just an "umbrella" under which you receive an accredited degree?

I'm happy to have two such opposing views of EC. Hearing both sides of the coin will actually help me make my decision, when I make my decision. One of my faults is researching a subject to death so once I make a decision, I don't ever have to look back and say "if only I'd known...".

Any additional comments from current EC students or EC grads will be equally appreciated!

Cindy

missnurse01, MSN, RN · Aug 16, 2005

hi Cindy! i completly understand about researching stuff, i have been looking at rn-bsn schools-so i am there with u! as to the enrollement costs, on the ec website there is a publication of current fees, they change every summer. i think the enrollment fee is currently 800 something bucks, u need that before u take nursing concept 3 i think. i paid less b/c my husband is in the military. u can choose the region and hosp u want to be considered for the clinical exam, they have a form that u check mark which place u want. ec is a college, just like any college they accept course work from other colleges when u transfer in and they also take clep/dantes tests like other colleges. the only tests that u HAVE to take thru ec are the 7 nursing concepts tests, that is all i took thru them, i had everything else completed but one req that i took distance learn thru another school. your ques are fine! call ec, visit their website, have them mail u info and u will see what it is all about.

feel free to ask any more ques, i'll help if i can!

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Aug 16, 2005

Another very satisfied EC grad here ! :)

I began with EC at the age of fifty, graduated at 53.. that was three years ago.

Working full time, I had little time or energy left to go trotting off to school somewhere.

I, too, learn best on my own, and at my own pace.

I had a few prereqs out of the way from earlier college years, but ended up having to take nearly most of the prereqs plus the actual nursing courses.

I never called EC for anything ... got the study guides, the content guides , studied my hind end off, called about two weeks ahead of time to schedule my course testing date, went and tested, and continued this ritual until CPNE.

I always left myself a two week period to "review everything" while waiting for my test date... so when I felt I had covered the material in the course to my satisfaction, I'd call to schedule my testing date, and always made sure it was at least two weeks down the road, to give me that "review time". I never had a problem scheduling a test date.

For CPNE you have PLENTY of time to get your ducks in a row.. they send you a whole packet of info and things you need to do, and I had more than enough time to get it all accomplished. That time is well spent studying for CPNE anyway.

Yes, you may choose which area of the country and even which city (of the available choices) to take your CPNE.

The EC website is very helpful, as is their packet of info on their Nursing Program... it will tell you everything you need to know and what THEY need to know from you.

I have yet to personally hear any negative remarks or see any raised eyebrows re this degree...and have several friends who have gone this route, and all are gainfully employed, including management.

There is much info on EC here at our Allnurses "distance learning forum"... you might want to check it out and read some of the informative threads and posts there.

Whichever way you go, I wish you the very best !

copnlpn2 · Aug 16, 2005

Thanks for your reply! I'll consider all comments and research some more. Once I finally feel ready to make a commitment, I'll let you all know.

I work steady night shift five nights a week. I'm one of those oddballs who sleeps before I go to work ( 3 to 9 pm), rather than sleeping in the mornings when I get home. I truly believe my work performance is better because of it. I've stayed up past my "bedtime" to read these postings and find out more abut Excelsior. But I can suddenly hear my bed calling to me - sleep, sleep....

For now, off to sleep I go!

Nascar nurse, ASN, RN · Aug 17, 2005

I'm a recent EC grad. Seems as everyone else has answered most of your questions. I just wanted to voice in and say, I am proud to be an EC grad - despite some of the problems, ie: long wait time for CPNE and graduation date. In my hindsight - I would choose this route all over again without hesitation. Like the others... working full time w/ husb. and kids makes it darn near impossible to attend a more traditional college. It worked for me. My only regret is paying for the high price study guides from the publishing complany. I really used the study guides, but didn't know I could buy them used on ebay for a fraction of the price. Oh well, still very much worth it. Good luck

Little Panda RN, ASN, RN · Aug 17, 2005

Morning everyone! I'm an LPN who came across these boards yesterday while reseaching information on becoming an RN through online/distance learning. I was on the phone so long yesterday with Distance Learning Systems Indiana Inc., The College Network and Excelsior that my portable phone died!
Each rep gave me tons of information, but all from their school's point of view. From what they told me and from what I've gleaned from briefly scanning various postings, I think going with Excelsior will be the thing for me. I'm hoping you can help me made the right choice and save me from wasting my time and making costly mistakes.
I am a 56-year-old nurse who graduated from LPN school just over 5 years ago. Before that I was a firefighter/EMT and then a police officer. Although I've only taked one college course (psych), I've actually been "in school" my entire adult life so I know how to study on my own.
Some questions I have are:
1) If I go with Excelsior, exactly what must I purchase (books, study guides, etc) to prepare for each test?
2) How much support does Excelsior provide when a student has questions or problems?
3) Once signed up, are you obligated to pay the entire cost of the course, even if you for some reason must "drop out"?
4) Are there other online/distance learning opportunities in addition to Excelsior that are reputatable? (Not study guide providers like The College Network)
5) Can you take your general ed classes in the order you choose or is that determined by Excelsior?
6) I graduated from LPN school five years ago this past May. Are any of the courses I took counted toward my degree?
I'm trying to get as many answers as possible before August 30th, when I'm to meet with our corporate reps to present my case for tuition assistance. I want to be prepared to explain how distance learning benefits me (because its faster) and for the company (because it costs less than a "traditional" nursing school.)
All replies will be appreciated!
Cindy

Hi Cindy, I am a nursing student going for my LPN. I live here in North Dakota. It had just been brought to our attention where I work that the North Dakota board of nursing does not recognize EC for their nursing program. I only mention this because you might want to check with your state nursing board or the nursing board of the state that you are wanting to work in before you go this route. :)

jsteine1 · Aug 17, 2005

Illinois also does not recognize EC, other states as well, so proceed with caution. I did go through the pre enrollment process with them out of curiosity, costs 65 dollars for them to receive your official transcripts and then give you an idea of what your advanced standing might be. Everything is rosy with them, but then you find out that they wont accept your CLEPS in nursing subjects and any CLEPS in liberal arts etc that are more than 20 years old. Hell, for me, that blew off 45 credits right there. They lost several of my official transcripts and I had to pay again and again to get various schools to resend them. Then, they set up two files for me as two different people for some reason, therefore neither file contained all of my credits in one place for appropriate evaluation. bottom line, I had an RN plus 98 college credits and they agreed to "accept" only 22 of them. This took months and months to get a response from them. They are quite disorganized and more interested in making the maximum of tuition from each student, so they dont transfer much of what you've done unless you graduated in the last couple of years AND whatever courses you took match their courses very closely.. For us older prospective students, its a discriminatory process. RE your other questions,, their website is informative regarding costs, financing etc. http://www.excelsior.com