Enrolled in the excelsior program

Hi there. I also am studying for my first exam, Health Safety, and felt the same way. I ordered a cd from studygroup101 off of eBay for around $10. This is a condensed version of the content guide and tons of sample test questions. I am also doing a 7 day free trial for RnBridgeprogram.com, which is an online series of videos, kind of like a lecture, then you take a test after each video. I really like this because I am more of a visual learner. If I go beyond the 7 days it will cost $147 a month. If I still am not understanding a concept, then I read about it in a Fundamentals of Nursing book. When I'm done with the above I will do the Excelsior practice exams, I think they are around $85. What exam are you studying for? I wish I could figure out a way to have a study buddy, but I'm not sure how that will work if I can't find someone in my area so we can get together. I can't see it working to study over the phone with someone else. Anyone have any tips on that? Good luck to you.

Thank you Lunah!! I never thought of that. I don't know how to use that program, but I'm sure going to check into it. I have found, with previous education, that having a study buddy is the best way to go. Do you know what the "other programs" are like Sype? Do you have other study tips?

I have completed all of the nursing exams. There is going to be a lot of work involved in your studies to do well in this program, and self-motivation is the biggest hurdle for most people. There is no instructor to remind you to study this-and-that before the next class. No quizzes or homework to gauge your performance before the "big final exam".

With that being said, one of the biggest advantages of the Excelsior program is not having to sit in a classroom listening to regurgitated textbook pages, PowerPoint slides, and following "their" schedule for exams. Everyone is different, and you benefit with this non-traditional learning in that respect. For example, I found that the Health Safety class and Life Span 1 exams covered material very familar to me, so only took 4 weeks to study. "A" on both exams. However, it took me three long, painful months to study for Reproduction (a weak topic for me), but I also earned an "A" by keeping up on it, no matter how tired I was of reading about the stages of labor, lol!

The Fundamentals text, pedi/maternal, and Med-Surg textbooks are your bibles. A few folks state that they can get everything they need from third-party notes sold on EBay, practice exams, and web resources only. Personally, I just don't know how they do that unless they are willing to accept a "passing" grade only, have been through a solid portion of nursing school already, or ??? I need that high GPA for future studies, and also being an older student who's been around in the employment world a bit, knows that GPA plays a part in the hiring process. I also want to be a damn good nurse who will be a benefit to the patient, not someone who squeaked by. Any trained monkey can give a medication, but a good nurse will think about the medication order and make sure it is appropriate for that patient based on their nursing education. Doctors never get tired, worn out, or make mistakes ya' know.

As for feeling overwhelmed with the reading, you should. That's okay.

My tactics: I just list out the chapters I need to read for a particular exam, and then start reading them. I don't get glassy-eyed over the number of chapters I'll have to read... just get 'em done and don't dread how much is left ahead of you. I cannot read a book quickly, and I have to take my own notes to learn correctly. Just before my exam, I'll go over the notes well and take the practice exams at that time so they are fresh in my mind before the actual test. DO purchase and take the practice exams that Excelsior offers, as they will help considerably.

You'll get through this as long as you can hold the motivation to keep plowing through it. I have learned so much through these courses... well worth the time put into it.

SKYPE! Or Facetime on the iPad or iPhone. I do that even with the local people I study with :)

I'm seriously considering excelsior but really don't have the money to start. Good luck!

I'm seriously considering excelsior but really don't have the money to start. Good luck!

I will be taking Excelsior's Research in Nursing exam in the near future. I feel confident in passing the multiple choice portion of the exam, but I don"t feel the same confidence towards the free style portion related to critiquing a quantitative research study. Has anyone taken that exam? Any suggestions? Thanks