Excelsior Advice/Motivation needed!!

BetterMeRN · Dec 4, 2011

Please don't give up it's so worth it to sign those two letters at the end of your name. There were many times I felt like giving up, it took me about three years to complete EC. I averaged a test about every three months. The day I took the CPNE and passed was one of the most happiest day I've ever had. Since you don't have a friend keep coming on allnurses and go to the EC board for some motivation.

There is light at the end of the tunnel you will get there, every test gets you that much closer. It may look like a big mountain to climb but you will get over it. Keep going!!!!!

Mandylpn · Dec 5, 2011

WoW! you work nights and full time? give yourself a break! I mean you are doing ALOT!

CSteffen_RN · Dec 7, 2011

As you go the tests keep getting harder and harder. I had to take NC 3 3 times and finally passed with a C and I'm a good test taker. And the CPNE is super nerve wracking but passable with a LOT of practice. I went through excelsior's lpn-rn program and passed but I don't suggest it to people who can't teach themself without a teacher.

Hindsight20/20 · Dec 9, 2011

Look on the distance learning students area. Many grads from Excelsior post encouragement and advice. I am possibly joining Excelsior soon will keep you posted. Were not where we want to be but on the road to get there, press on!

EverNurseRN · Dec 10, 2011

I really don't have any advice on motivation..it took me 4 1/2 years to complete the ASN program with Excelsior...all I can say is just do it..LOL..don't be like me :) looking back..I wish I would not have procrastinated so much...make a schedule for yourself and stick to it!! Good luck!!!

Jocelyn

zold1 · Jan 15, 2012

First of all, you CAN do it. After LPN school this should be a lot easier in SOME ways. For example, you are doing your clinicals WHILE you work. It may not seem so, but every time you pass a med, change a dressing, etc. you are reviewing a skill you will need in the program.

As for me, I was a medic in the Army about a century ago and went back to LVN school at 53 and graduated at 54. I have been working through the Excelsior exams since 2009 and yesterday passed the last -- and for me the most difficult -- Reproduction. So it is on to the FCCA and then the CPNE.

Here is what I did:

First, I dedicated a full hour each day to study. No exceptions, no excuses. Make that a habit.

Then I printed out the study guide from Excelsior.

Ask others in your area that might have study materials to share with you as well.

Then I went through the study guide and highlighted the text.

After that, I went to a Half Price bookstore and got an older/used copy of an NCLEX-RN study guide -- I liked the one from Pearson the best, but they are all pretty much the same -- and went through the questions for each section as I tested. THE RATIONALES are the most important, so spend lots of time there. An LPN/LVN knows WHAT to do... an RN should know the WHYS it ts being done. In my state there are only three things that an RN can do that an LVN can't as far as scope of practice.

Whenever I knew someone that had work experience in an area, I would ask them to review me over dinner and pick their brain for those clinical "tricks and tips" you don't get in the books.

For example, a midwife I know reviewed me for the Reproductive exam. I doubt I would have passed it without her help! Her explanations and tips saved me!

Like you, I worked through the entire time. I had a triple bypass and was off for 4 weeks, then 18 months later, cardiac stents and was off for a weekend (Friday - Sunday) and managed to keep on!

So just keep on and you will make it.

Set goals, and have some FUN with it as well. I made a progress calendar... that might help as you see yourself progressing.

Try your best not to get into a rut... remember, a rut is just a grave with the ends kicked out!

Like anything worth having, it is WORTH WORKING FOR.

Good luck.

Joseph

PS. I wouldn't set my sights on the CPNE by June 2012. They told me it is a three to eight month waiting period just to get a testing slot... relax and give yourself the gift of time. From what I have read on this site, it is STRESS that will cause you the most difficulty on the CPNE.

Lisa1203 · Jan 23, 2012

Hello All,
I am new to the community and was looking to communicate with others going through Excelsior.
I graduated from LPN school in May and really wanted to take no more than a year to finish excelsior, but here we are in December now and I have only completed health safety and transition.
I have all of prereqs with exception to info lit & lifespan psych, both of which I plan to complete while waiting for a CPNE date.
I work nights on an Oncology floor of a large hospital, F/T (usually 6 on 8 off), so in the days I have off, I have no excuses not to study, but since my last exam 10/24, I haven't cracked a book! I have a friend(she lives 6 hours away so it's impossible to study together) who started the program a few years ago, but until I started she had never even taken the 1st exam. So we scheduled around the same time & I barely passed with a C & she failed with a D. So needless to say, I started studying for the next exam, took it a month later & she pretty much gave up....there went my motivation partner!! (believe me I tried for atleast a month to get her head back in the game)
.... For the 1st exam(h/s) I only read the fundamentals book & read thru Lisa arends notes & I didn't take the practice exam. For the 2nd exam(transition), I paid for the practice exam, took the 1st test with no studying behind me, scored a 59, studied my poor areas in the fundamentals book & read thru Lisa arends stuff, took the 2nd practice exam, scoring a 57 (YIKES), but it was too late to reschedule thru Pearson, so I took the exam & got a B, I was stoked, but seeing as I only studied for 2 days, I feel like I just got lucky!
so now I'm studying for Chronicity (I've rescheduled the exam atleast 4 times, as of now I'm scheduled for 12/19...I have Lisa arends notes, studygroup101 notes, the fundamentals book, & miscellaneous lpn textbooks. Any words of wisdom as far as this exam goes? Motivation to keep going? Is it even possible to finish everything (including CPNE) by June 2012 @ this point?

I finished all of the nursing exams & other pre-req's & only have the CPNE. I too am having a heck of a time getting motivated to study - for me it's just the CPNE. So - here's my nugget of wisdom. It starts with me deciding to go to a community college last year to get my A.S. in nursing despite having completed all of my nursing exams at Excelsior because I am so terrified of the CPNE. I would need A&P 1 & 2 as well as Micro because even though they transfered to Excelsior they are older than the 5 year mark for the local community college & of course all of the nursing classes. Well... after studying like mad every day for A&P & foregoing playing with my then 2 year old, no TV, no time to spend with family because I am either alone in my bedroom studying & preparing for class & exams or off heading to class... I soon decided not completing Excelsior & going through a community college would be the most ridiculous thing to do. It was obvios to me as I rode my 45 minutes one night to class that to not even TRY to study & pass the CPNE would be foolish. I bought StudyGroup 101 CD's for the nursing exams & got all A's. I am currently using Rob's CPNE for the CPNE. I know what you mean about motivation - but this is a fantastic route to get your RN. & I know this may not be a popular thing to say - but even if you get all C's on your nursing exams you will still be an RN. I completed the nursing exams in less than 1 year. They ARE doable - definately. Now the CPNE... well, I need help there myself - but the exams ARE 100% do-able.

alodocios · Jan 26, 2012

i have a suggestion for you, email me at alodocios@gmail. com, it is more of a giftt.

Kimmiekyun · Jan 27, 2012

This is awesome advice. I just finished LPN school at the age of 55. Passed my boards on the first try, with 85 questions. I'm currently taking 3 prereqs now (micro, speech, lifespan development), and hoping to find a bridge program this summer/fall. I live in the Kansas City, MO area. I'd appreciate ANY info. Thanks!

Kidnurse1963 · Feb 5, 2012

I agree with Joseph. You may have to wait longer than you think for a CPNE date. I am scheduled for Albany April 13-15, 2012. I would print out the study guide and start reading it right away. You will have to memorize the Critical Elements, etc., and practice the Lab stations. I am 48 and have been an LPN since 1984. I have been studying every day without fail for the past 2 1/2 weeks. And I will continue to do so until my CPNE weekend. I wish you alot of success. I know you will do fine with your CPNE. If you want to email and or chat about the CPNE feel free to email me at: [email protected]. Take care Terri

darlenemangum · Mar 9, 2012

I thought I was to old to do this. Thanks to the post from the older people, I feel better. I finished lpn school at 53 and started working as a school nurse. I have the oppurtunity to advance this career if I get my rn. This post really encouraged me. Currently studing for chronicity and am finding it hard to focus. Any tips would be helpful.